11:40-12:40 – 519 BALLROOM
The Unity Conference is an exciting annual event that brings together Gay-Straight-Alliances and educators from across the GTA and Ontario. Its purpose is to address issues of homophobia, transphobia and other intersecting oppressions through education, advocacy and fostering social networks. We are expecting up to 500 participants at our 2011 Conference.
The Community Fair is a dynamic lunch-time event (11:40-12:40) staged in the 519 Ballroom on the Conference day. Its purpose is to assemble a diversity of LGBTQ services, and allow youth an opportunity to learn about your organisation directly from your staff. If you are unable to staff a booth, we are happy to showcase any promotional materials & resources you might provide us.
To reserve a free table at the 2011 UnityCon Community Fair, please contact me by November 9, 2011. NOTE: space is limited and will be allotted on a first-come basis. david.yeh@ctys.org
David Yeh
Community Fair Coordinator
2011 UnityCon Committee
david.yeh@ctys.org
1. ABRIGO CENTRE – reps: Pamela Snell & Hugo Mestre
The Abrigo Centre is a multi-service, charitable organization that focuses on building community capacity in west Toronto by helping individuals and families achieve their full potential. www.abrigo.ca
2. ALLIANCE FOR SOUTH ASIAN AIDS PREVENTION (ASAAP) – reps: Shazad Hai, Jacub Fernandes & Ramrajh Sharvendiran
ASAAP provides support, education, and advocacy for those living with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS and who identify as South Asian. We provide prevention education workshops, events and run support groups for the South Asian population.
3. EGALE CANADA’s MyGSA.ca – rep: Alex Duffy
MyGSA.ca is Canada's national LGBTQ safer and inclusive schools website. MyGSA.ca provides resources and networking opportunities for anyone interested in creating safer and inclusive school communities by addressing homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia.
4. EAST MISSISSAUGA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE (EMCHC) – reps. Anu Radha Verma, Sofia Pelaez & Ashley Lake
East Mississauga Community Health Centre (EMCHC) is a community based organization that believes in creating greater access to health resources in the community. We provide clinical care as well as health promotion programming. Our priority populations include LGBTTIQQ2S communities and individuals. Specific LGBTTIQQ2S programs include a weekly drop-in for queer and trans adults, monthly PFLAG meetings, referrals and resources, counselling sessions, and clinical care including hormone therapy.
5. FEM’AIDE
Fem'aide is a provincial helpline for the Francophone women dealing with violence. Since 2006, Fem'aide has been served the French Community and has been provided useful information to the relatives of victims of violence within a framework of awareness and educational workshops. The service line of the Fem’aide is anonymous, confidential, free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
6. GBVP OFFICE – Reps: Michelle Cho, Javier Davila, Kenneth Jeffers, Rai Reece, Vladimir Vallecilla-Orozio
The Gender-Based Violence Prevention (GBVP) Office is an interdisciplinary team at the TDSB that works with central staff and community supports to build capacity for peer-education training in gender-based violence prevention. We develop and implement guidelines, workshops, forums and resources for students, staff and schools, including challenging ideas, attitudes and systems, educating on healthy relationships and promoting prevention building.
7. INSIDE OUT Toronto LGBT Film and Video Festival
8. KIKI BALLROOM ALLIANCE
9. KIDS HELP PHONE – reps. Kristen Buckley & Janice Kelly
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only bilingual phone and on-line counselling service for youth. It’s free, anonymous and confidential. Professional counsellors are available any time of the day or night, 365 days a year, to help young people deal with concerns large or small. As a community-based national charity, Kids Help Phone relies on individual and corporate donations to fund these vital services.
10. LEGIT-TORONTO - rep. Peter Bernier (share with Rainbow Link)
You (minimum 18) may sponsor your foreign spouse or common-law partner (minimum 16). Sponsor exempt from income requirement. See LEGIT.ca for more information or attend a meeting at the 519.
11. LGBTQ PARENTING NETWORK
METRAC - Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children – reps: Karen Darricades, Keli Bellaire, Shequita Thompson
METRAC is a not-for-profit, community-based organization that works to prevent and end violence against diverse women, youth and children.
12. ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
13. OUTWRITES – rep. Matthew Badali
OUTwrites is a queer-friendly writing group that runs every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the 519. Open to a range of skills. OUTwrites.org
14. POSITIVE YOUTH OUTREACH – reps: Nicole Dyble, Andre Cerento & Andre Rollex
PYO's mission is to empower, support, and affirm the lives of young people under 30 living with HIV/AIDS.
15. PRIDE & PREJUDICE – reps. Kathleen O’Connell & David Yeh
The Pride & Prejudice (P&P) program at Central Toronto Youth services offers clinical counselling and group work services for LGBTQ youth exploring a wide range of mental health issues related to gender identity and/or sexual orientation, family and community, relationships, depression, anxiety or trauma. www.ctys.org
16. RAINBOW LINK - rep. Peter Bernier (share with LEGIT-Toronto)
Rainbow Link provides free LGBT books for GSAs, school libraries, etc. See current list at rainbowlink.ca, choose what you want and send me your list. Pick up your books or pay the shipping.
17. ReachOUT – Griffin Centre
18. SOJUST EDUCATION – rep. Alexia Dyer
SoJust Education empowers people to create equitable and inclusive environments through the use of emotional and cultural intelligence. We offer training on social justice, equity and conflict transformation for youth, educators, school administrators and organizational leaders.
19. STARS PROJECT – Delisle Youth Services
20. SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH - rep. Chelsey Marshall
Supporting Our Youth (SOY) is an exciting, dynamic community development program designed to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered youth in Toronto through the active involvement of youth and adult communities. We work to create healthy arts, culture and recreational spaces for young people; to provide supportive housing and employment opportunities; and to increase youth access to adult mentoring and support.
21. TEENS EDUCATING AND CONFRONTING HOMOPHOBIA (T.E.A.C.H.)
22. THE WELL – reps: Kala Bennette-Alexander & Cortney Murchie
The LGBTQ Community Wellness Centre of Hamilton (The Well) works to enable Hamilton’s LGBTQ communities, providers of health and social services to Hamiltonians, and all who live, work, play and learn within Hamilton to recognize and dismantle each barrier that prevents LGBTQ individuals from sustaining and enhancing their physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. We offer a range of program and organize various initiatives to realize this aim. For more information: info@thewellhamilton.ca, 905-525-0300.