About Us

The Youth Project is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing support and services to youth, 25 and under, around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. We have a provincial mandate so although we are located in HRM, we travel around the province to meet with youth in other communities. We provide a variety of programs and services including support groups, referrals, supportive counselling, a resource library, educational workshops, social activities, and a food bank.

The Youth Project is a youth directed organization. Youth have decision making control over the direction and action of the Project. Our Youth Board ensures that our programs and services are relevant and needed by the youth who access the Project. The Youth Project is committed to providing leadership opportunities to lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and ally youth.

We promote and nurture an environment that is appreciative of youth from all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds. We value the contribution and experiences of all youth. All activities and events run by the Youth Project are drug and alcohol free.

Confidentiality is assured.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to make Nova Scotia a safer, healthier, and happier place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth through support, education, resource expansion and community development.

The History of the Youth Project

The Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth Project began in 1993. At that time the Project consisted of two social support groups; one for young gay and bisexual men and one for young lesbian and bisexual women. Within a matter of months, the groups had grown. The project was housed and supported by Planned Parenthood Nova Scotia. With the help of the community, the passion of the youth and the support of Planned Parenthood the Youth Project flourished beyond its limited beginnings.

In 1996, the members of the Youth Project were the Parade Marshalls for the Halifax Pride Parade.

In 1998, the Youth Project received operational funding, from Health Canada, for the first time. The Youth Project along with three other groups in Canada: Montreal, Moncton and Kamloops were funded under a project called Safe Spaces aimed at increasing supports for LGBT youth in Canada. This funding brought the Youth Project staff and a promotions budget. Services increased from social support groups and workshops to counselling and a full time education program aimed at schools, community groups and professionals. Also in 1998, the Youth Project hosted a conference for students who wanted to start Gay Straight Alliances, leading to the first GSA in Nova Scotia at Millwood High School.

In 2001, the Youth Project received funding from the United Way of Halifax Region. A relationship that remains strong today. The Youth Project would later receive the United Way’s Community Spirit Award as well as Human Rights Award from the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and the Ken Belnager Award from the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers.

In 2002, the Youth Project became its own organization, leaving the protective wing of Planned Parenthood and flying out on its own. In order to maintain the strong youth focus, the Youth Board was created as part of our structure. The Youth Project became an independent non-profit charity run by two boards. Also in 2002, the Youth Project received a grant from Human Resources and Development Canada to purchase a house. This would become the Youth Project’s permanent home. And finally in 2002, the Youth Project received funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Health, which would later be picked up by the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection.

In 2008, the Youth Board voted to remove lesbian, gay and bisexual from the front of the organization’s name. This was in response to the fact that transgender was not in the name and that there were many other youth who identified with other labels. Instead of making the name longer, they voted to make it shorter, becoming The Youth Project, working with youth around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Youth Project is now a multiservice organization with five staff members and has many events and programs occurring throughout Nova Scotia.

Staff

	Executive Director Leighann Wichman leighann@youthproject.ns.ca Leighann Wichman is the Executive Director of the Youth Project. She is a graduate of Dalhousie University with degrees in Sociology and Health Education and is currently completing her Masters of Education at Acadia University. Her academic and professional interest focuses on queer/trans student leadership. She has been involved in the Youth Project since 1993 when, as a youth, she attended the first group meeting. She has been a youth member, a volunteer, a summer student, the community educator and now the Executive Director. She believes in the work of the Youth Project and is honoured to have been a part of it for so many years. When not working to make Nova Scotia a better place for youth she can be found at the local comic book store.
	Support Services Coordinator Sheena Jamieson sheena@youthproject.ns.ca Sheena Jamieson is the Youth Project’s Support person, providing support to youth for issues around sexual orientation and gender identity. She’s a graduate of the University of King's College with a degree in Gender & Women’s Studies. Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Sheena has been with The Youth Project since 2003, finding the organization through her high school’s Gay/Straight Alliance and starting as a summer student (and has never left!). The Youth Project has been a huge part of her life and she feels lucky to work with such a great group of people. Sheena’s interests include cooking, queer theory, a secret love of sci-fi, and greyhound rescue (adopt one today!).
	Community Educator Nolan Pike nolan@youthproject.ns.ca After years of making frequent trips to Halifax from Toronto, Nolan Pike has decided to give in and make Nova Scotia his official home. He is proud and excited to be working for the Youth Project as an Education Coordinator. Nolan has been an active participant in the queer arts community as a writer, video artist, and musician. He is currently completing an English Major at MSVU and working on his first novel. Nolan is passionate about queer community building, disrupting the gender binary and the show Roseanne.
	Community Educator Justin Dubreuil justin@youthproject.ns.ca Originally from Truro, Nova Scotia, Justin is a graduate of the Nova Scotia Community College-Recreation Leadership diploma. He has been working with youth in a multitude of capacities since 1999, and has been involved within the Youth Project since 2000. He became a volunteer in the fall of 2009 and most recently became one of two Community Educators. “I’m thrilled to be working for such a great organization, and proud of all of the amazing work we do within the GLBT communities across Nova Scotia.” "Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men hold guns than holding hands?" - Ernest Gaines
	Outreach Coordinator Kristen Sweeney kristen@youthproject.ns.ca Kristen Sweeney is originally from South Western Ontario but has spent some time living abroad. She decided on a whim to move to Nova Scotia for school hoping to have a learning experience. She had the opportunity to do her first student placement with the Youth Project and was in awe of the amazing work that the Youth Project has done and vowed to stay connected. Now she works as Project Coordinator. Even though she has lived in Nova Scotia for a short period of time she feels very connected to the province and passionate with work that she is doing.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is looking for members!

Are you interested in finding out more information about the Youth Projectbs Board of Directors? Download this application and get involved!

Structure

The Youth Project is a youth-directed, non-profit, charitable, registered society. As a result, we have a structure that caters to all these identities. We spent a lot of time and took great care in designing a structure that best fits the needs of our organization. We feel the structure we have in place is the most beneficial to the Youth Project and best adheres to our beliefs, values and principles as an organization.

To meet the requirements of a non-profit, charitable, registered society we have a Board of Directors who oversees the running of the Youth Project. The Board of Directors is made up of community members, including youth, who believe in the important work of the Project. They are responsible for the legal and financial aspects of the Youth Project.

To meet the requirements of a youth-directed organization we also have a Youth Board . The Youth Board is made up solely of youth, 25 and under, who are members of the Youth Project. The Youth Board is responsible for the programs and services we offer. The decisions around which programs and services to offer, how they are designed, and what changes need to be made are all controlled by the Youth Board.

The two Boards often work together and are jointly responsible for budget, policy and staff.

In addition to these two governing bodies, we have excellent staff and volunteers who ensure that our programs and services are delivered, that the Youth Project is running smoothly, and that we are present in schools and the community.

Location

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2281 Brunswick St.
Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Youth Project is located just north of downtown Halifax, in a residential area nestled between Barrington St. and Gottingen St. We are about half way between the Citadel and the MacDonald Bridge.

There are several bus routes along Barrington and Gottingen that run close to us.

Bus Routes:

Barrington: #1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 20, 53, 58, 59, 61, 87
Gottingen: #1, 7, 10, 21, 51, 53, 58, 59, 61, 68, 87
Cornwallis: #82

Our Supporters

We are thankful for the generous contributions of our funders and supporters. Without them we would be unable to provide the great programs and services we have available. Their commitment to LGBT youth sends a strong message in Nova Scotia. Thanks you to all those involved in making our organization strong.

Funders

United Way of Halifax Region
Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection

Special Project Funders

Public Service Alliance of Canada
Halifax Regional Municipality
First Baptist Church of Halifax
Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage
Halifax Peninsula Community Health Board
We’re Funny That Way Foundation
Canadian Women’s Foundation
IWK

Special Thanks

Venus Envy
Prince George Hotel
The Company House
Menz Bar
Halifax West High School Gay Straight Alliance
J.L. Ilsley High School Gay Straight Alliance
TELUS
Halifax Pride
Nova Scotia Government Employees Union
Neptune Theatre
Bus Stop Theatre
Beaton's Towing Services
The Shambhala School
The Sexual Diversity Centre at Cape Breton University