Education

Classroom Workshops

We provide classroom education sessions on homophobia for grades 4 through 12. Sessions examine homophobia, and homophobic language in particular, and its effects on students. The interactive format allows students to participate in discussions and ask questions.

If you are a teacher and are interested in booking a workshop please contact us at any time during the year to arrange a date and time for us to come in and do a session with your class. Please note that these workshops book up quickly, so contact us as early as possible to ensure availability.

Professional Development

We are committed to providing professionals, university programs and organizations with sessions that cover issues of sexual orientation and gender identity as well as areas unique to each work environment. The length and audience of the session will determine the topics that will be covered. Sessions are designed to meet the needs of the group and may include the following areas:

Homophobia	Heterosexism
Transphobia	Counselling LGBQ Youth
Counselling Trans Youth	Creating Safe Spaces
Becoming and Ally	Lesson Planning
Policy Development	Inclusive Practice
Overcoming Barriers	Community Development
Creating Safe Schools	Gay/Straight Alliances
Coming Out	Gender Transitioning

The Youth Project uses a participant centred, interactive and practical approach to education. Activities and exercises are developed that engage participants in discussion, action, and sharing, and build on input from and experiences of the participants. Exercises are designed to be practical and provide information and skills easily transferable to everyday practices whether in the classroom, in the office, or in a group home.

Consulting

The Youth Project provides service providers and educators with information, strategies and resources about creating safer spaces, dealing with homophobia and transphobia, and working with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. We can help with policy reviews and development, provide an assessment of inclusivity, or review materials.

Support

Supportive Counselling

The Youth Project provides supportive counselling for youth who want to talk to someone about sexual orientation or gender identity. Our support coordinator is available to listen, provide information and help youth get more support. We can provide support to families as well. If you want to get some questions answered, are experiencing harassment, are confused about who you are, are coming out, need help, or just want to talk, we are here.

Call and make an appointment to talk to someone. We can come to your school or community and meet with you there if you can’t make it to us. We can also use Skype to chat for those of you who are far away. All you need to do is contact us by phone or e-mail.

Our support worker can also help you get connected to other safe and supportive resources in your community.

Referrals

The Youth Project runs many programs and services but you may need something the Youth Project doesn’t provide. We can help you get connected to the right resources, the right people, and the right programs for you. If you are looking for a professional, a program or an organization that is LGBT positive, we can provide you with that information.

We can provide referrals to:

• Doctors
• Mental health programs
• Therapists
• Programs for health issues such as eating disorders, addictions or anger management
• Employment Programs
• Education Programs
• Police
• Lawyer
• Allies
• Many other people and services

Health

Pride Health Nurse

Do you have any health related questions? Is there some information you need and you don’t want to have to make a doctor’s appointment? Do you need an STI test? Do you want to talk to someone about health and medical options? Are you trans and need assistance with a prescription testosterone injection? Are you having a difficult time getting medical help because you are LGBT? Then come out and see Anita and Sandra, our Pride Health Nurses. Anita and Sandra are available to answer questions, conduct STI tests, administer injections, and help you navigate the health care system. Check our calendar for times or call for an appointment.

Allies

The Youth Project runs a service called the Ally Card Program. The purpose of this program is to identify safe, supportive and knowledgeable people that LGBT youth can talk to. Allies can be teachers, guidance counsellors, principals, coaches, doctors, nurses, social workers, ministers, parents, youth workers, etc.

If you are looking for someone to talk to, information, or just a place where you can be yourself, look for the Ally card. If you don’t know of any allies in your school or community ask us, we have a list of all the Allies in Nova Scotia.

To find out more about the Ally Card Program click here.

Food Bank

The Youth Project has a food bank open to all LGBT youth. If you don’t have money for food or are on a limited budget, you are welcome to see what is available in our food bank. The Food Bank can be accessed whenever the office is open as well as during Drop-in nights. If you are looking for fresh produce or breads, the food delivery comes on the first Monday of each month so stop by anytime after 2:00pm that day.

The Food Bank is available through a partnership with FEED Nova Scotia. Be sure to bring your health card with you when you come. FEED Nova Scotia needs that information for their statistics.

Bursary

The Youth Project offers a small educational bursary each year to an LGBT youth attending any post high school program. The bursary is in memory of Graham Pinsent, who was one of our original Youth Board members. His dedication to the Youth Project and his education has been honoured though this bursary.

Past recipients of the bursary have attended Dalhousie University, Memorial University, King’s College, St. Mary’s University, the Nova Scotia Community College and NSCAD.

Graham Pinsent Memorial Bursary 2012

The deadline for applications is APRIL 30th, 2012. Applications are accepted by fax, mail or dropped off in person..

Awards

Rainbow Awesome Awards!!

The Rainbow Awesome awards are a way to thank someone in Nova Scotia who has gone above and beyond to make their school, city, community or the province a safer, happier, healthier place for LGBTQ youth!

This can be a person of any age, in any occupation.
Nominations can be as long as you need them to be, but be descriptive! We want to know all the awesome things this person has done!

Do you know somebody who has made a difference in the lives of LGBTQ youth? Nominate them below! All Rainbow Awesome Award nominations will be reviewed and voted on by the Youth Board. All winners will receive a letter, certificate, and a beautiful medal!

Nominate someone you know for a Rainbow Awesome award!

Click Here to enter a nomination.