My name is Emma Small and I have been working with youth in group settings since 2009. I've worked as a camp counselor, as an after school program instructor, and as a youth advisor for a youth leadership group. I've been dreaming of opening my own youth space focusing on the LGBTQIA and ally community in the South Surrey/White Rock area since I started participating in youth groups five years ago
. Our office will be a drop in space for youth ages 11 to 22 two nights per week and a talking circle one night per week. Eventually, we will have one circle for ages 11 to 13, one for 14 to 17 and one for 18 to 22. To start out however, everyone will be in the same group. We realize it is a large age gap, but we are confident we can make it work given a little patience. Youth will learn about teamwork, communication, leadership, self-acceptance and acceptance of others, and many more valuable skills through interactive games and our talking circle. There will also be opportunities for art and music. This will be a drug, alcohol, and violence free zone for youth to come hang out with friends and make new ones, explore their hobbies, and study. We will also be providing youth with a resource center plus volunteer and leadership opportunities. While in our space, they have access to private consultations with myself and our co-facilitators if they have any issues they do not wish to discuss during the talking circle. Youth will have the opportunity to give their input on what they would like to see happen within the group and what community projects they want to focus on. This is their space to be as creative as they want. We will also be providing support and resources to those with mental health issues (please note however, we are not medical professionals and this is purely a support/peer-mentoring group). As I have had my own struggles with mental health issues since the age of 11, I understand how important early intervention and raising awareness is. Also growing up as a member of the LGBT+ community, I understand the need for support in the South Surrey/White Rock area for youth in this community.
