Trans Day of Remembrance – Available Services and Resources for 2SLGBTQIAA+ Youth

At Trellis, All Are Welcome Here.

Today, on Trans Day of Remembrance, we at Trellis Society will gather to honour the lives of transgender and gender-diverse individuals taken by violence. Their stories remind us of the ongoing struggle for safety and acceptance faced by many within the 2SLGBTQIAA+ community.

At Trellis, we recognize that while policies and legislation may change, our commitment will always remain the same. We stand firmly with transgender youth, who are disproportionately impacted by homelessness, discrimination, and mental health struggles.

You Are Not Alone

Each day, we open our doors to people who have been told they do not belong. If you are a transgender or gender-diverse young person facing challenges, know that you are not alone. Trellis offers safe spaces to be yourself and grow your support network.

While we serve members of the 2SLGBTQIAA+ community across our programs, feedback from youth and research revealed a critical need for a dedicated program to support queer youth experiencing homelessness. That’s why we launched the Aura program in 2015.

Aura is a housing-first program designed for youth who identify as 2SLGBTQIAA+, gender nonbinary or gender nonconforming and are at risk of or are currently experiencing homelessness. By helping youth find stable housing, our teams can then assist in other areas such as developing life skills, improving financial literacy, enhancing employment readiness, strengthening cultural and community connections, and offering mental wellness supports.

Beyond Housing: A Network of Support

In the long-term, safe housing is just the first step. We connect youth with additional resources and partner with organizations to provide mental health services, educational support, and grow their sense of belonging.

This can look like:

·       Employment Support: We provide a wide variety of employment supports including workshops that focus on a variety of topics such as resume, cover letter, job search, interview prep, and employment skills.

·       Success Coaching: An initiative focused on school completion. We offer youth Success Coaching in 15 schools across Calgary through an initiative called All In For Youth.

·       Therapy Services: Trellis' diverse team of counsellors and therapists are here to support you in overcoming life’s obstacles and flourishing. We offer therapy for everyone in the community over 4 years of age in individual, romantic partner, and family sessions.

Building a Community on Love

Today and every day, we stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIAA+ community and will continue to advocate for policies that promote inclusivity, understanding and the freedom to live authentically. To get involved, we encourage you to reach out to your local government representatives about policies that affect 2SLGBTQIAA+ youth. Your voice can help create meaningful change.

Together we can grow a community where everyone can flourish and where people feel empowered, valued and truly know they belong.

 

More Resources in your community:

 

Angela Clarke