SPRUCE GROVE GSA
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What's happening

August 11, 2020

8/11/2020

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August 2020
Spruce Grove GSA, What’s Happening!
 
The Spruce Grove GSA Society respectfully acknowledges that we are situated in Treaty 6 territory, traditional lands of First Nations and Métis people. 
 
What’s Happening!
 
Our regular GSA meeting place has temporarily moved due to the outbreak of Covid 19. 
We are currently meeting outside in the yard of St. Andrew’s United Church at 1A Fieldstone Drive, Spruce Grove. 
We are maintaining all levels of health and safety standards, and ensuring we maintain physical distancing, hand sanitizing and mask wearing guidelines. 
Even when outside, mask use is required to take part in our Spruce Grove GSA meetings. 
 
Tentatively, our GSA meetings will be able to be held again in the large meeting hall of St. Andrew’s United Church for September 25th or October 9th!
I will be including the PDF of the COVID-19 Protocols for Spruce Grove GSA Society, relaunch strategy. 
 
The protective measures Spruce Grove GSA Society has put in place are to protect participating youth, their families, coordinators, volunteers, organizations, renters and groups of St. Andrew’s United Church, and the general public. 
I am awaiting approval of our recommended protective measures. If there are any adjustments to be made, I will modify the PDF and re-send it.
 
Events & Activities! 
 
2020 Alberta GSA Conference -  November 11th – 15th
Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services (iSMSS)
 is hard at work planning the 2020 AB GSA Conference. This year the conference will be going online, delivering workshops and community networking events to GSA/QSA students and teachers across the province of Alberta. 
If you would like to sign up for conference updates email fyreflys@ualberta.ca with the subject "mail list signup."
 
Perseids Meteor Shower 2020 
Will you be watching the Perseids Meteor shower this week? 
https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronomy/tips-tricks/perseids.asp
Every year for as long as I can remember my family and I have watched the Perseids Meteor shower. We take blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows and lay out under the stars. No matter which province we are all, in I know that my siblings and my parents are doing the exact same thing every year around the same time. 
What do you do with your families or friends each year? 
 
Cultural Campfires - Multicultural Heritage Centre 5411-51street Stony Plain AB
https://multicentre.org
(also available via zoom)
August 6th, 13th, 27th. August 30th (via zoom)
The campfires run every Thursday starting at 6p.m.  and are for the whole family.  
These events will be in person outdoors at the Multicultural Heritage Centre
Physical distancing will be in effect.  We recommend masks.
 
LGBTQ 101 – Learning series
https://www.showpass.com/lgbtq-101/
Calgary Pride is hosting a series of virtual workshops in partnership with Calgary Queer Art’s Society presented by James Demers. This workshop endeavours to create bridges of understanding about the LGBTQ community. 
This includes a deep dive into the language developed and used by the community surrounding identity and self-expression, expands on the context of the historical LGBTQ rights movement and how it impacts us today and tracks how these developments continue to shape the world that we live in. This session is open to anyone who is looking to create a deeper understanding of how they can support co-workers, family members and neighbours as we create a more empathetic and connected world. 
 
Trans & Nonbinary 101
https://www.showpass.com/trans-nonbinary-101/
This session will cover language, experience and tips for developing your understanding of the trans-identified people. This webinar will also explore the many ways to engage in effective ally-ship, both in a personal and professional context and will leave participants with practical tools to help develop new relationships with the gender and sexually diverse community. 
This session is open to anyone who is looking to create a deeper understanding of how they can support co-workers, family members and neighbours as we create a more empathetic and connected world.
 
Spruce Grove FCSS & Stony Plain Youth Centre  
Have gone VIRTUAL! 
Find them online where they have created a virtual space where youth are invited to engage in activities and have fun. Connect with them for activities, prizes and fun! 
 
Spruce Grove FCSS Youth
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sprucegrovefcssyouth/
Website:
https://www.sprucegrove.org/community/programs/fcss-programs/virtual-programs-for-youth/
 
Stony Plain Youth Centre
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/spyouthcentre/
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/spyouthcentre?igshid=16ivlhwry0oml
website:
https://www.stonyplain.com/en/live/youth-centre.aspx?_mid_=733
 
Taking Care of You
 
Rainbow Masks!
We received a donation of custom made reusable 100% cotton cloth Rainbow masks!
These are made locally here in Spruce Grove by My Favourite Blankie!
These cloth masks are available for our GSA kids if they would like one. They are reversible, so one side is Rainbow, and the other side is plain dark blue. The kids can choose which side they would like to wear.
*Please wash the masks in cold water and hang to dry
We are still searching for more Rainbow material so we can have more masks made to actually sell to folks!
 
Quite often we receive requests for counselling. 
Please get in touch with these organizations to check their availability.
If you are looking for more information, please connect with us through email or private message our accounts through social media.
 
CHEW Project - counselling 
chewprojectyeg.org 
https://www.facebook.com/chewprojectyeg/
(780) 263-2221
CHEW provides frontline support, resources, and education for LGBTQ2S+ youth and young adults (ages 14-29) facing barriers. These barriers may include mental health, violence, poverty, homelessness, substance use, sexual health, sexual exploitation/sex work, and others. We provide a safe place for youth to get basic needs, get off the street, 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.
​
The LGBTQ+ Wellness Centre
https://www.wellnesscentreab.ca/
info@wellnesscentreab.ca
9117 82 Avenue NW
Edmonton
The Centre aims to provide quality and timely care to the transgender, non-binary and gender diverse persons in northern Alberta. The Centre focuses on crisis support, outreach to individuals seeking healthcare, education opportunities for family doctors and other healthcare providers, as well as engagement with grassroots organization and other professionals who are interested in or are currently providing care.
 
Institute for Sexual Minority Studies & Services
Family Resilience Project
https://www.ualberta.ca/ismss/community/family-resilience-project
(780) 492-5205
Through a partnership with the LGBTQ Wellness Centre, the Family Resilience Project offers free short-term counselling to sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ) children, youth, and families.
Pride Centre – counselling
https://pridecentreofedmonton.ca
Drop-in Single Session Counselling will be returning to in-person sessions at the Pride Centre on Tuesdays beginning Tuesday, Aug 11, from 2-6 pm. The Pride Centre has guidelines in place to reduce the risk of spreading of the covid 19 virus. 
Capacity is limited to 10 people in the space at a time, visitors will be asked to sanitize or wash their hands when they enter the space. Appointments will be limited as we currently have one counsellor on-site and will be sanitizing the counselling spaces between each session. If you have any questions or would like more details on how to access in-person or phone/video counselling please email hello@pridecentreofedmonton.ca
 
Meet the Tri-Region Bunch!
Find out more about the youth workers in the Parkland Area, and what they’re up to this summer! Connect to all of our websites and social media pages through this one handy site!
We will also provide you with resources, support, education, fun, games, it’s all up to you!
https://parklandcc.ca/community-resources/
 
 
 
Community Connectors
http://www.westviewpcn.ca/theme/common/page.cfm?i=10003566
Community Connector positions support youth and their families to access community and mental health supports by working collaboratively with a coalition of community stakeholders, social service agencies, and health care providers. 
Community Connectors assist in the implementation of the mission and vision of the coalition; to ensure that youth and young adults aged 11-25 have improved and coordinated access to mental health, primary care, and social services within the communities of Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, local indigenous communities, and the greater Parkland County.
 
Our Community – Help our GSA grow together!
 
Please help to stay open and continue to grow by saving your bottles or by making a donation online. We will continue to be a Safe Space where our youth can feel included, respected, and protected.
 
Are you able to help set up a fundraising committee?
How can you contribute?
Our community is filled with folks with amazing people that care about youth and their surroundings. Our GSA is a Community GSA, help us grow together! 
 
Some of the ways you can fabulous:
Please Help.
Monetary donations, click on the donate button on our website, spend time with us at different events, parades or resource fairs)
Contributions of any size will be used to support youth through the purchase of materials that will be used at our meetings, as well as to fund excursions to special events within the community. They will also support the GSA as a whole by helping us with operational expenses. 
We are a 100% volunteer-run organization; all funds will go to ensuring we can continue to offer services to youth.
 
Please Donate your bottles to the Spruce Grove GSA Society! We will gladly arrange to pick up bottles once a month.  This will greatly help out with our fundraising goals! Thank you to the folks who are currently donating to our GSA!  
 
Important Phone Numbers
 
Kids Help Phone
1-800-668-6868
Text CONNECT 686868
kidshelpphone.ca/what-is-kids-help-phone
24-hour, anonymous phone counseling for children and youth, 100% confidential
they do not trace calls, they do not have call display, you do not have to tell them your name. You can 
connect by phone or mobile app, or through the website.
 
RCMP
911
780-962-2222 Spruce Grove 24 hours
780-968-7267 Stony Plain 24 hours
 
Trans lifeline
http://www.translifeline.org
The Hotline:
Canada: 1-877-330-6366
US: 1-877-565-8860
Need to talk? Call! Our peer support hotline is run by and for trans people.
 
211 Alberta
Canadian Mental Health Association-Edmonton 
            https://www.ab.211.ca
https://edmonton.cmha.ca
211 (phone)
            211(text)
            24-hour distress line        
Resources for Albertans daily needs.
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.
 
MyHealth.Alberta.ca
https://myhealth.alberta.ca
Health Information and Tools 
Spruce Grove GSA Website
sprucegrovegsasociety.org
On our website you can find all of our information such as dates of our GSA, tips on Safe Spaces, health, recognizing abuse and Resources. 
 
Find us on
Facebook and Instagram
COVID-19 Protocols for Spruce Grove GSA Society
 
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, these protocols have been put in place to help ensure the health and safety of the following: 
  • Youth who attend Spruce Grove GSA. 
  • Family and extended family of youth in attendance. 
  • Coordinators, volunteers and organizations who administer programing at Spruce Grove GSA. 
  • Renters and groups who use the spaces at St. Andrew’s United Church, 1A Fieldstone Drive. 
  • General public who may come into contact with those aforementioned. 
 
Although we have taken care to adhere to the guidance of the Government of Alberta, by attending the Spruce Grove GSA you acknowledge that, even with the best precautions in place, it is impossible to guarantee no exposure to COVID-19 whether while traveling between your home and the GSA or within the confines of the Spruce Grove GSA.
 
Screening for Symptoms: 
  • Ensure that each youth, volunteer, or coordinator has self-screened for the following possible COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Self-screening is done prior to attending any programs or events with Spruce Grove GSA.
 
  • Please ask yourself the following questions. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, please do not attend the GSA, and follow the public health guidelines ( https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx )
 
  • Do you have any possible COVID-19 symptoms? 
    • Possible symptoms: Fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, chills, painful swallowing, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste, loss of smell, muscle or joint aches, headache, conjunctivitis (eyes appear pink or reddish pink).
 
  • Have you, or anyone in your household, travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days? 
  • Have you or your children had close unprotected contact (face-to-face contact within 2 metres/6 feet) with someone who is ill with cough, sneezing and/or fever? 
  • Have you or anyone in your household been in close unprotected contact in the last 14 days with someone who is being investigated or confirmed to be a case of COVID-19? 
  • Have you, a member of your household, or a person you are exposed to, been diagnosed with COVID-19? 
  • General screening will also be done upon entry into the building at 1A Fieldstone Drive, or any events with Spruce Grove GSA.
 
If any person has or develops symptoms, they will be removed from the group and asked to stay an appropriate distance from the rest of the group until and a safe route home is ensured. 
 
 
Distancing Measures 
  • All youth or adults attending Spruce Grove GSA, and any event hosted by the GSA, will be required to maintain a minimum distance of 2 metres/6 feet from each other. 
  • This includes outdoor GSAs/events, seating within the GSA, getting snacks or drinks, using a washroom, washing or sanitizing hands, participating in activities and walking into the building or down the stairs of the GSA. 
  • Universal washrooms are to be used by one individual at a time. 
 
Cleaning 
All high touch surfaces to be used will be cleaned prior to youths’ entry. 
  • High touch surfaces to be cleaned include the bathroom, tables, backs of chairs (that will be used during the GSA), kitchen (if used), inside door handles, outside door handles, door locks, railings to the downstairs hall, and all light switches. 
 
  • Only one washroom will be used at any given time and only one person may use the washroom at a time. 
    • The 2nd universal washroom will remain closed unless there is an emergency. At that time, all sanitation measures will be carried out before it is used.
    • The Spruce Grove GSA coordinator must be informed when the washroom is finished being in use so the necessary steps to sanitize all possible points of contact can be implemented. 
 
All high touch surfaces will be cleaned after the last youth exits the building, to ensure the next group’s safety. 
  • High touch surfaces to be cleaned include the bathroom, tables, backs of all chairs used, kitchen (if used), inside door handles, outside door handles, railings to the downstairs main hall and all light switches. 
 
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Inclusive Measures 
  • Spruce Grove GSA youth are being provided with reusable, reversible 100% cotton cloth masks. 
    • If a youth participant forgets to bring their mask a disposable mask will be provided. 
 
  • Individuals unable to wear a face covering due to a mental, physical, or health concern are among those who will not be requested to wear a mask. 
 
  • Use of hand sanitizer and frequent handwashing will be mandatory. 
 
  • All snacks and drinks will be prepackaged to prevent cross-contamination of germs.
    • Although appreciated, we cannot accept extra snacks or sharing of snacks from home at this time.
    • One youth at a time may select snacks and drinks after washing their hands or using sanitizer. 
 
  • Any activity or craft supplies used will be sanitized before and after each use. 
    • Each youth will use hand sanitizer before using supplies for activities or crafts.
 
 
Contact information for staff and volunteers 
  • All youth, adults, volunteers and organizations will be required to privately provide their contact information (email, phone number, address and name), so that they can be notified in the event of known or suspected exposure to COVID-19. 
  • The contact information is private and will not be used unless there is need to notify each person individually as a result of known or suspected exposure to COVID-19. 
 
The protective measures Spruce Grove GSA Society has put in place are to protect participating youth, their families, coordinators, volunteers, organizations, renters and groups of St. Andrew’s United Church, and the general public. 
 
If these protective measures are not recognized or followed, the organizers of Spruce Grove GSA Society will take the appropriate action and temporarily remove the individual in question until the protective measures are agreed to and followed accordingly. We appreciate everyone’s efforts to ensure that the Spruce Grove GSA continues to be a safe and welcoming place for youth.
 
 
Sincerely
Jody Tucker (she/her) 

 
The Spruce Grove GSA Society respectfully acknowledges that we are situated in Treaty 6 territory, traditional lands of First Nations and Métis people.
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