Please donate to the Spruce Grove GSA Society Each month we see an increase of new youth. Your donation will directly support our youth program. Our costs average over $200 per month. This includes food, crafts, games, insurance, and any extras that go into making our community GSA a success! We do a lot of research, visit schools, as well as speak to and meet with youth and adults whenever they need to talk. We have increased our meetings from once to twice a month! Without your donation, it would be difficult or impossible to do this. Please consider helping out our Community GSA. We are a 100% volunteer-run, non-profit organization. We rely on donations, fundraising efforts, and the generosity of people in our community.
Alberta Bullying Recover, Resources, Research Centre Inc. http://abrc.ca To inspire hope and contribute to the safety and well-being of people of all ages, faiths, cultures, communities, and professions, concerned and/or affected by bullying. Contact Us at Linda R. Crockett MSW, RSW Phone: 780-965-7480 Email: ABULLYRC@gmail.com Twitter: @BULLYINGALBERTA Facebook: Alberta Bullying Research, Resources, and Recovery Centre
Alberta GSA Network http://albertagsanetwork.ca https://www.facebook.com/groups/AlbertaGSANetwork/ The purpose of a GSA is for students to meet, do fun activities, socialize and support one another in a way that is inclusive of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and many other interests. ‘GSA’ began as an acronym meaning “Gay-Straight-Alliance” but now GSA is meant to encompass many club names such as Queer-Straight-Allliance (QSA), Gender & Sexual Orientation Alliance, Pride Clubs, Rainbow Alliances, and many others.
Altview Foundation http://www.altview.ca (780) 666-5428 In addition to the wide range of programs it offers, AltView also provides in- and out-of-school support to Public Schools’ Gay/Straight Alliances, providing resources and support to students and staff who wish to work to make their schools safer spaces for LGBTQ students. AltView is a safe place for people who identify with a sexual minority or gender variant; the organization strives to foster the inclusion of individuality and diversity in terms of gender and sexuality. AltView focuses on building community through social support, advocacy, empowerment and education
Calgary Food Bank https://www.calgaryfoodbank.com/ (403) 253-2059 The Calgary Food Bank is the first line of emergency food support for families and individuals facing crisis. Once the food emergency is addressed, we refer food bank clients to our proven partner agencies and programs. Our deep collaboration and food support to hundreds of other charitable organizations that address the root causes of food insecurity aligns with our mission to work with our community to fight hunger. We are the most accessible food bank in Calgary serving families, individuals and organizations. We are not a government or United Way agency. We rely solely on the generous support of the community.
Calgary Outlink https://www.calgaryoutlink.ca/ (403) 234-8973 Calgary Outlink is a hub that promotes support and community connectedness for all gender and sexually diverse people. Calgary Outlink envisions a welcoming gender and sexually diverse community that fosters unity and resilience among its members.
Calgary Pride https://www.calgarypride.ca/ (403) 536-4077 Mission Calgary Pride is a not-for-profit organization that exists to promote equality and celebrate Calgary’s diversity. Vision: Our city, free from discrimination against gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
Canadian Mental Health Association-Edmonton http://edmonton.cmha.ca 24 hour distress line: (780) 482-4357 When you see someone in distress, you can help before police or emergency services are needed by calling 211 and pressing 3 to dispatch the 24/7 Crisis Diversion Team.
CASP Canadian Association For Suicide Prevention https://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/ There are many crisis centres available 24 hours a day to talk to you. This website lists contacts in cities for provinces across Canada.
Centre For Sexuality https://www.centreforsexuality.ca/ (403) 283-5580 We offer information, resources, and support for topics related to sexuality including youth and family support, resources for teachers and students starting a GSA/QSA, the Calgary GSA/QSA Network, Gay Men’s Health programming including two STI testing nights a week, and professional development training as well as LGBTQ2S+ organizational audits through our Training Centre. Our services are available across the Province although some accommodations may be made (such as phone or Skype calls) based on services requested.
CHEW Project YEG chewprojectyeg.org (780) 263-2221 CHEW Project YEG's mission is to support LGBTQ2S+ youth facing barriers to survive, heal, and find hope. We offer inclusive and confidential STI testing, counselling and crisis intervention, Indigenous peer support, a safe place where youth can access harm reduction and basic needs supplies, and so much more! Come check us out at our downtown office, the OUTpost, or on campus at the University of Alberta.
Child Abuse Hotline 310-0000 1-800-387-KIDS http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/abuse-bullying/15393.html If you are affected by family violence, know someone who is, or simply want to learn more about the issue, our site contains information that can help you be safe or be part of the solution. Our goal is to see youth happy and hopeful!
Children’s Mental Health Crisis Line Call: (780) 427-4491
Compass Centre For Sexual Wellness https://www.compasscentre.ca/home/ (780) 423-3737 Compass Centre for Sexual Wellness is a charitable organization that provides sexual health education and counselling services in Edmonton and surrounding communities. We empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive well-being through, education, information and supportive programs and services. This is accomplished by respecting the individual’s values, beliefs, cultural context and experiences.
Edmonton Food Bank https://www.edmontonsfoodbank.com/ (780) 425-2133 Mission Statement To be stewards in the collection of surplus and donated food for the effective distribution, free of charge, to people in need in our community while seeking solutions to the causes of hunger. Each month, over 22,000 people receive food hampers from Edmonton’s Food Bank. The Food Bank also distributes food to more than 500,000 meals and snacks each month through more than 250 agencies, churches or food depots with which we are affiliated. Approximately 40 percent of clients served are children under 18.
EMHC - The Edmonton Men’s Health Collective https://ourhealthyeg.ca The EMHC is a grassroots health organization run by and for queer and trans community members. Our vision is for Edmonton queer and trans community members to have equitable opportunity to experience positive health and wellbeing. Our mission is to provide a representative voice that addresses the specific health determinants and needs of queer and trans community members through community education, support, and capacity-building; provider training and professional development; and community-based research and advisory.
Edmonton Pride Festival Society https://www.edmontonpride.ca The first organized Pride March in Edmonton was in the summer of 1980 and the Edmonton Pride Week Society was incorporated on May 22, 2003. Support in the community for the organization and LGBTQ2S+ rights grew over the years. On May 16, 2011, the society changed its name to the Edmonton Pride Festival Society.
The Family Centre https://www.the-family-centre.com The Family Centre provides workshops, therapy, family support services, interpretation, and translation services to foster healthy families in healthy communities. We empower children, youth, and families to effectively navigate through change, raise healthy children, develop strong and healthy relationships, and heal from trauma.
(FCSS) Family and Community Support Services - Spruce Grove https://www.sprucegrove.org/government/departments/community-and-protective-services/family-and-community-support-services-fcss/ (780) 962-7618 Spruce Grove Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is a partnership between the City of Spruce Grove, Parkland County and the Government of Alberta. The mandate of FCSS is to provide locally-driven, preventative social programs and initiatives to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and the community.Our programs enable people of all ages to improve their quality of life and their ability to prevent and / or deal with crisis situations should they arise. Our support resources connect people with programs and services
Fruit Loop www.fruitloop.ca/ facebook.com/fruitloopyeg/ Fruit Loop Society dedicates itself to supporting and promoting non-profit groups within the LGBTQ2+ community by providing well respected and popular public events, showcasing local talent and culture. Fruit Loop also aims to educate the general public on current provincial, national, and international LGBTQ2+ issues through it’s social media channels.
FYrefly https://www.ualberta.ca/camp-fyrefly (780) 492-4909 Email: fyrefly@ualberta.ca Camp fYrefly is an educational, social, and personal leadership retreat for queer and trans youth. It focuses on building and nurturing their leadership skills and personal resiliency in an effort to help them learn how to make significant contributions to their own lives and to their schools, home/group-home environments, and communities. Camp is designed for queer and trans youth between the ages of 14 and 24.
Gay Straight Alliance Network https://egale.ca/portfolio/mygsa/ MyGSA.ca is Canada’s website for safer and inclusive schools for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) community. Whether you’re LGBTQ or not you’ll find something interesting and helpful on the site. Join the discussion, get the resources you need, and spread the word!
Institute for Sexual Minority Studies & Services Family Resilience Project https://www.ualberta.ca/ismss/community/family-resilience-project (780) 492-5205 families@ualberta.ca Through a partnership with the University of Alberta’s Counselling and Clinical Services, the Family Resilience Project offers free short-term counselling to sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ) children, youth, and families.
Kid's Help Phone https://kidshelpphone.ca/what-is-kids-help-phone 1-800-668-6868 Text CONNECT 686868 Kids Help Phone is always there for you. No matter what you want to talk about, we're here to listen. No judgment, totally private, 24/7. Our service is completely anonymous and confidential - we don't trace calls, we don't have call display. You don't even have to tell us your name if you don't want to.
Office of the Child and Youth Advocate Alberta http://www.ocya.alberta.ca/ 1-800-661-3446 NORTHERN ALBERTA (780) 422-6056 SOUTHERN ALBERTA (403) 297-8435 The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate is an independent office of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, mandated to work with vulnerable young people. The OCYA provides individual and systemic advocacy for children and youth receiving “designated services” as defined under the Child and Youth Advocate Act. This includes young people receiving or attempting to access services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act and the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act, as well as youth involved with the youth justice system.
Outloud St Albert https://outloudstalbert.ca/ (780) 990-6518 Outloud first opened its doors in March 2014 as a safe, inclusive, supportive place for youth who feel different to connect with each other. Outloud has continued to grow into support meetings for all ages, further expanded into community outreach and advocacy programs, organizing and operating our Pride and fund-raising events, and created a formal program for our city, businesses, and other community groups to partner and sponsor with Outloud.
Parkland Food Bank http://parklandfoodbank.org (780)962-4565 The Parkland Food Bank exists to address the needs of hunger in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, and Parkland County, primarily by providing food to those in need.
PFLAG Alberta Locations http://pflagcanada.ca/pflag-chapters/alberta/ PFLAG Canada is a national charitable organization, founded by parents who wished to help themselves and their family members understand and accept their non-heterosexual children. The "coming-out" process can be a critical time for families. When the adjustment period is particularly long or painful, relationships can become permanently damaged, resulting in a lifetime of emotional scars. People cannot always rise above the challenge of accepting themselves or their family member, and the results can be devastating, even fatal. We support these families through today, and give them hope for a better tomorrow.
The Pride Centre of Edmonton http://pridecentreofedmonton.ca (780) 488-3234 The centre hosts LGBTQ events as well as has a youth space, resources, and a library on their website. Services include drop in programs for youth and adults, information and resources, programming, counselling provided by qualified counsellors, peer support groups, outreach programs, and workshops.
Queer YEG https://www.queeryeg.ca Serving Edmonton's LGBTQ+ community and its supporters by providing a directory of businesses and organizations that are welcoming of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. Browse through the Queer-Friendly Business Directory for a safe space to find people who are open-minded and happy to serve you - no matter how you identify or express yourself.
The Quiltbag https://the-quiltbag.business.site/ (780) 784-5265 LGBTQ* retail shop carrying queer & trans goods in Edmonton. Clothing, accessories, gifts, art, trans gear, and more! The shop carries an always changing assortment of custom and curated used & new clothing; accessories like pins, pronoun buttons, patches, stickers; art and books by queer & trans artists; small gifts; trans gear including chest binders and compression underwear.
The Rainbow Pages LGBTQ+ Youth Resource Guide https://www.therainbowpages.ca/?utm_source=Link&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=TRP%20Blog%20Update Transitioning into adulthood can be tough, finding resources shouldn’t have to be! The upgraded platform is a safe space where youth can find the support they need, whether they are clear about their sexual orientation and gender identity, or are still figuring it out. The Rainbow Pages Youth Resource Guide was developed by The Family Centre to provide LGBTQ+ youth and the youth-serving community a consolidated guide of the supports available in Edmonton.
Rivers Edge Counselling - OK2BU - LGBTQ+ Youth Process and Support Group https://www.riversedgecounselling.com/ok2bu-lgbtq-youth-process-and-support-group/ (780) 460-0022 This group is funded by a grant from the St. Albert Community Foundation Many individuals whose sexual and/or gender identity fall outside the norms and expectations of the greater heterosexual cisgender populous continue to face prejudice and discrimination. The OK2BU – LGBTQ+ Youth Process and Support Group provides an opportunity for youth to come together in a safe meeting place to discuss and process the impact of life experiences associated with being members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) http://sace.ca 780-423-4102 The Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) believes that unique and specialized services should be available to all people, regardless of ethnicity, heritage, faith, gender, culture, age, social and financial status, ability, or sexual orientation.
Skipping Stone Foundation https://www.skippingstone.ca/ (403) 988-9138 The Skipping Stone Foundation is a Calgary-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support and empower trans and gender diverse youth and their families in the province of Alberta. Having observed that historically, far too often trans and gender diverse youth are subject to significant negative stigma and substantially increased barriers to equitable care, support and quality of life, the Skipping Stone Foundation was formed with the goal of breaking down those barriers and giving youth positive and affirming opportunities surrounding their gender identity.
SOGI 1 2 3 https://www.sogieducation.org/ email: info@sogieducation.org SOGI 1 2 3 helps educators make schools inclusive and safe for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI). At a SOGI-inclusive school, students' biological sex does not limit their interests and opportunities, and their sexual orientation and how they understand and express their gender are welcomed without discrimination.
Trans Equality Society of Alberta http://www.tesaonline.org TESA's mission is to be a witness to and a voice for matters concerning trans Albertans. TESA was formed in the hopes that building a traditional non-profit advocacy group would open opportunities for formal engagement with authorities who otherwise overlook the unique needs of the larger trans community.
Translifeline http://www.translifeline.org The Hotline: US: 1-877-565-8860 Canada: 1-877-330-6366 Need to talk? Call! Our peer support hotline is run by and for trans people. Trans Lifeline is a national trans-led organization dedicated to improving the quality of trans lives by responding to the critical needs of our community with direct service, material support, advocacy, and education. Our vision is to fight the epidemic of trans suicide and improve overall life-outcomes of trans people by facilitating justice-oriented, collective community aid.
The Traveling Tickle Trunk https://www.travelingtickletrunk.com (780) 469-6669 We are an Edmonton-based company dedicated to inspiring happy, healthy sex. We offer a full range of services including our Whyte Avenue boutique (voted best sex toy store in Edmonton five years in a row), the best sex toy parties in the city, fun and informative workshops and educational presentations, and this — our online store and information centre. Transgender individuals may decide to access gear to help reduce dysphoria. Most resources can be purchased online, but the Traveling Tickle Trunk in Edmonton does carry some gear for transgender people.
Victim Services Society of Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and District http://www.stonyplainandsprucegrovevsu.com (780)968-7272 Day (780)968-7267 Night The Victim Services Society of Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and District, through their dedicated volunteers and staff provides supportive assistance and crisis intervention to individuals and communities affected by trauma, crime and natural disasters, as well as preventative education to the public.
YESS Youth Empowerment Support Services https://yess.org To walk beside traumatized youth on their journey towards healing and appropriate community integration. Based in Edmonton, YESS provides immediate and low-barrier shelter, temporary housing, and individualized wraparound support for youth ages 15-24. We focus on working collaboratively with our youth-supporting partners on prevention and diversion out of homelessness. And ultimately, we aim to walk beside traumatized youth as they heal through relationships.
Youth Emergency Shelter (780)484-4600
Youth Homelessness Initiative http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/homelessness/youth-homelessness-initiatives.html The Government of Alberta, along with its community partners, is working to reduce youth homelessness, including homelessness among LGBTQ2S youth. Homelessness is a complex issue and young Albertans who identify as sexual or gender minorities are at more risk of experiencing homelessness.
Youthsafe http://www.youthsafe.net/ (403) 220-2505 Youthsafe provides links to information and resources, in Alberta, for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (“LGBT”) people and allies. The website is focused on services for youth and young adults.
Youthspace http://youthspace.ca Youthspace is a place for any youth across Canada, under 30, that is experiencing any sort of crisis to come and talk. We are open every day between 6pm and midnight Pacific Standard Time! We are a diverse community of trained volunteers who would love to listen to how things are going for you. We care, and believe that talking can help you sort through your feelings and thoughts. We hope that you feel less alone after chatting with us. All volunteers are certified in ASIST (Applied Suicide Interventions Skills Training).