VPS Youth Leadership Council

WHAT IS THE YLC?

The Victoria Pride Youth Leadership Council (YLC) is a group of 14-24 year-olds that meet monthly to plan youth initiatives and events that relate to the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

The purpose of YLC is to foster learning opportunities, be a forum to voice youth needs, and inform key initiatives to make positive impacts in our communities! To learn more about the Victoria Pride Society’s Mandate & Vision, see our About Page or follow our Instagram @vps_youth_council.

WHAT DO YLC MEMBERS DO?

Generally all members…

  • Attend monthly meetings
  • Have opportunities to advise the Victoria Pride Society Board around youth-inclusive programming (e.g. Youth Pride Kick-Off Event)

If members want to take on more responsibility, they can …

  • Help plan additional council initiatives & events
  • Have leadership roles in decision-making, planning, and carrying out youth-focused events and initiatives
  • Provide updates on YLC’s Instagram page
  • Develop educational material for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth
  • Access training and mentorship opportunities

WHAT ARE YLC’s CURRENT INITIATIVES?

The council is currently developing a Trans Truths Storytelling Project

  • Collecting and displaying local stories, artwork and poems about what it is like to access healthcare as a trans youth. Stay tuned for a call-out!
  • Creating an event where stories are performed and local health care providers and community members are invited to attend.

Beyond getting to plan and advise, council members also have the opportunity to partake in workshops and other community projects.

Upcoming training & mentorship opportunities for council members:

  • Naloxone Training Workshop with Lux Welsh @ the Foundry
  • Binding Workshop with the Makerhouse
  • Possible Film-making workshop with Amus Productions

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE COUNCIL?

The council is currently inviting new members to join:

  • Who can apply? All 2SLGBTQIA+ youth age 14 – 24.
  • Acknowledging existing issues with mainstream accessibility and inclusion, we strongly encourage applications from QTBIPOC youth, individuals with disabilities, trans, non-binary, and two spirit youth.
  • Read more about joining the Council here.

WHO IS ON THE COUNCIL?

Here are some active YLC members:

Silke – Youth Leadership Council Facilitator

(she/her)

Silke Staffeldt-Jost joined the Youth Pride Council to become more connected with the community and to discover new things and people. She enjoys writing, drawing (anything creative really), and helping people understand the LGBT+ community. She also takes up any opportunities she can to experience anything new and connect with people and places.

Kierrah

(she/her)

My name is Kierrah Babcock and I have been a member of the Youth Pride Council since the first-ever meeting, I can’t believe that was over a year ago! I am currently attending Uvic to study one of my passions, history. When I’m not studying or working I spend most of my free time crafting, baking, or working in my garden, a relatively new interest of mine. And of course, travelling whenever I can. If I’m not feeling in a cozy clothes mood you can often find me running around through thrift stores in handmade dresses and elaborate outfits that form a mass of pink looking for vintage toys to add to my collection. So far I have worked alongside other members in the council on some of our past projects and most recently I have created and filmed Diy craft project tutorials for our online kickoff event in July 2020. I hope to continue to be present in the council and work on future projects for everyone to enjoy.

Varian

(he/they)

Varian is a new-comer to Victoria and has started their first year at UVic as a philosophy major. They are trans, agender, asexual and aromantic, and also a member of a Plural System. They joined the council because she wanted to connect with local queer people and give back to the community. He is very passionate about the fight for civil rights. Varian also likes to write, act, go out to clubs and bars, play video games, and hang out with their cat.

Ripley

(they/them)

Ripley is a very active person, who spends most of their time on skates or hiking. During their downtime, Ripley likes to read, sew, and write. They joined this council to help provide more spaces for LGBT youth to connect as well as to learn about their community

Sasha

(she/her)

Sasha is a newcomer from the mainland who loves Victoria and is excited to help and connect with the local queer community. She has always loved being an advocate for anyone who might need a voice and to help create meaningful lasting change in society that will result in a better quality of life for everyone who needs it. She enjoys the arts, travel, science, technology and is grateful for the opportunities to engage with and support the community that the council has given her.

WANT TO JOIN YLC?

We accept applications on an ongoing basis.  To apply to become involved in the Victoria Pride Society’s Youth Leadership Council please complete our application form here.

© Copyright  2024
– Victoria Pride Society

#yyjpride

© Copyright  2024
– Victoria Pride Society

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