YLEAD
WHAT IS YLEAD?
YLEAD is a training and skills development program for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth from January-May 2026. In the program, 15-20 youth (grades 10-12/ages 15-18) from the Greater “Victoria” area will gather as a group and identify four topics that could help schools and community agencies become places that 2SLGBTQIA+ actually want to be in. This will be based on your own opinions and priorities; what you think can help create safer and more celebratory spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ students like yourself to learn and thrive. You’ll then take part in a series of four interactive workshops with facilitators from the community who specialize in one or more of the group’s chosen topics. The focus of these workshops will be uplifting your knowledge and expertise. The group will also receive two days of facilitation training, where you’ll learn the valuable skill of how to run workshops or presentations of your own. The program will also include ongoing support from Island Sexual Health staff mentors, our Educator & Gender-Affirming Apparel Coordinator Syd (they/them) and our Community Mental Health Worker Leah (she/her).
At the end of the program, the group will take what you have learned along with your own lived experiences to create and facilitate a workshop of your own! The focus of the workshop will be on promoting safer spaces and better learning environments for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth – whatever this means to you. This can be in any format that the group decides on: a spoken presentation, poetry, a short film, or visual art. This will be supported throughout the program by ISH staff mentors Syd & Leah, external facilitators and facilitation training. The workshop will be attended by educators and community agencies, and will take place on a Pro-D Day in May.
WHEN?
January-May 2026: The group will meet every 3 weeks, starting at the end of January until mid-May.
WHERE?
Island Sexual Health Community Health Centre’s community space at 3960 Quadra St. Bus tickets will be provided to anyone who needs them to get to and from Island Sexual Health!
WHO CAN APPLY?
This program is open to anyone in grades 10-12 (ages 15-18) who lives in the Greater “Victoria” area. You can apply by filling out and submitting the brief google application! Note: This program has capacity for 20 participants. If more than 20 participants apply, the 20 spots will be chosen by random draw. The applicatoin questions below do not determine who is accepted into the program! The purpose of this application is to collect your contact info and get to know what you’re looking for from the program.
THE PERKS
Food and drinks will be provided for each session, along with bus tickets if needed!
Upon completion of the program, students will receive $40 per session or equivalent volunteer hours. Students will also receive a certificate of completion.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about this program that you’d like to talk about before filling out the application form, you can send Syd (they/them) an assistanteducator [at] islandsexualhealth [dot] org">email.
