Thanks in part to a Youth in Action grant from United Way Perth Huron, Stratford Pride Community Centre (SPCC) has been able to create a new series to tackle a lack of programming for LGBTQ+ youth.
Heather McDowell, executive director of the SPCC, is especially excited for this program considering it is the first of their events that is a direct response to the needs assessment done late last year.
“And I love that we have two...enthusiastic youth ambassadors that are stoked to be able to provide community programming,” McDowell told StratfordToday.
Ollie Roy, 13, and Dylan Corbett, 14, have designed and will run the Generation Rainbow Collective, a series of events designed for local youth.
The two got involved after meeting at a drag storytime event in November. Both said that they wanted to help with such an important milestone for the community.
“I joined because I thought it was an important program,” Roy said. “And I really wanted to be part of it so I could get out there and create a safer place for youth.”
Roy and Corbett worked together to plan out and brainstorm events, choosing what they thought would appeal to LGBTQ+ youth of their age.
Additionally, with the weather being not-so-great this time of year, they endeavoured to create events to get people out of the house.
The five-week program runs Tuesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in February and March.
On Feb. 6, Pasta and Picassos at SPCC will feature paint with peers, with food courtesy of local partner Fellini’s. At the end of the night, participants can donate their work to the SPCC or bring them home.
On Feb. 13, Love Pizza/Love Simon takes place at the Little Prince Cine-lounge. The showing of Love Simon will be accompanied by Dominos pizza.
On Feb. 20, participants will work together to solve a “break-in bag,” described as an escape room in a bag, with Thai food provided. Thai and Teamwork takes place at the SPCC.
On Feb. 27, again at the SPCC, Sandwiches and Showbiz is an improv open event with sandwiches provided by Sirkel Foods.
Finally, the “McDnD” night on March 5 will be a Dungeons and Dragons session, with special guests Brock Wreford and Eric Ball of the Stratford Public Library running the game. McDonald’s will be provided as well.
The program is for making space for local LGBTQ+ youth aged about 10-15, though McDowell noted that it will be open to allies as well.
With limited space for each event, they hope that it will predominantly be youth in the community that will join in.
McDowell further said that after each event a questionnaire will be handed out. As the first iteration of this kind of program, they want to get feedback from the community to see if it is a positive experience.
Ultimately, they hope that the program can help build a better Stratford, particularly for people that need a community, Roy said.
Corbett added that as a generation that is often on their phones, she is hoping that real connections are made.
“I think my hopes coming out of this are that LGBTQ youth in the community have more connections to each other and more people to talk to that they know are queer.”
For more information, including times of the events and links to register, visit the SPCC’s website.
