Covenant House Vancouver – Showing Up for Pride
The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver, written by the CHV team. Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV.
Why Showing Up for Pride Is Important
At Covenant House Vancouver, 35% of the youth they serve identify as being part of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community. Each August, Pride in Vancouver includes two key events: the Dyke March and Festival and the Vancouver Pride Parade.
There are many reasons why CHV choses to participate at these events:
- Visibility — as a community partner and for youth who maybe searching for support
- Awareness — to help raise awareness about the stigma and impact of homelessness
- Education —to answer questions from the community and media
- Resource — to be a resource for young people and for the community
- Representation — to amplify the voices of vulnerable young people in the community
Dyke March and Pride Parade
This year, CHV staff and volunteers set up a booth at the Dyke March to show our support for the 2SLGBTQAI+ community and answer questions. The reoccurring theme of most of the interactions was that people were unaware of the breadth of programs and services that CHV offered youth, who were between the ages of 16 and 24.
Staff explained that CHV has short- and long-term housing programs; mental and physical health supports; life skills training; recreational, fitness, musical, spiritual, and community spaces and outings; and that CHV works with many organizations in the community to provide holistic care for youth in need.
At the Pride Parade, 13 CHV staff members marched in support of vulnerable youth, while other CHV staff accompanied youth, who access their programs and services, to view the parade.
Safe Spaces for Youth to Thrive
It’s a fact that family rejection is the most common cause of 2SLGBTQAI+ youth homelessness. The Point-in-Time Homeless Count in Greater Vancouver shows that youth under the age of 25 experience the highest unsheltered rate of any age group, which means that there are not nearly enough services centred on meeting their specific and unique needs. Services that are designed for adults are neither adequate nor safe for a young person. As a result, they have few places to turn to for help.
CHV offers:
- Safe and inclusive housing: where 2SLGBTQAI+ youth can live free from judgement, discrimination, and rejection
- Specialized mental health support: designed to help 2SLGBTQAI+ youth navigate trauma, depression, anxiety, and other challenges, through one-on-one and group supports
- Community building and peer support: activities that help 2SLGBTQAI+ youth build connections with others who share similar experiences and connections to other local organizations
Find out more about how Covenant House Vancouver honours and celebrates the diversity, strength, and resilience of 2SLGBTQAI+ youth.
Donate today and follow Covenant House Vancouver on Facebook for updates.
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