2SLGBTQIA+ Services
YWCA has a long-standing community presence in St. John’s, first established in 1925. Building on a deep history as a women-serving agency, we remain committed to gender equity, and to creating opportunities for girls, women, gender diverse and 2SLGBTQIA+ people to learn, achieve and participate. We work to ensure that our programs, events, and services are accessible to those with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, varying cultural identities, and to people of all abilities. We work collaboratively to build a community where all are safe, supported and empowered.
LGBTQIA+ Newcomers Project
In spring of 2020, YWCA started a new initiative to enhance services for the LGBTQIA+ newcomer community. Through this 5-year project, “Fostering Collaboration of Services for LGBTQIA+ Newcomers in Newfoundland and Labrador”, YWCA will work with partners to influence innovative program design and delivery, investigate models of service delivery experiencing success in other areas, and develop mentoring and peer support opportunities to engage LGBTQIA+ newcomers.
This project is being delivered in close collaboration with Dr. Sulaimon Giwa of Memorial University’s School of Social Work, and will improve the suite of coordinated, evidence-based services to support the successful settlement and participation of LGBTQIA+ newcomers in NL. This project is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
LGBTQIA+: refers to sexual and gender minorities who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and/or asexual, and plus.
Newcomer: an individual who is new to Canada. (i.e. im/migrants and refugees)
Programs for LGBTQIA+ Newcomers
We offer two programs for LGBTQIA+ immigrants and refugees- a monthly peer support group, and a one-on-one mentorship program. Some topics that these programs can help with include: coming out, identity, settlement and integration, navigating local services, emotional support, etc.
To learn about these programs in another language, please click a language below:
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Our LGBTQIA+ Newcomer Peer Support Group is a confidential, non-judgmental space for participants to discuss shared experiences and support one another.
Meetings are peer-led, by volunteer facilitators with lived experience as LGBTQIA+ newcomers. The program aims to support the integration of LGBTQIA+ newcomers by providing information, guidance, and connection to others.
Meetings occur every 2 weeks. For upcoming meeting dates, click here to view our program calendar.
Group meetings are “hybrid”. This means participants can choose to attend in-person at YWCA’s office, or online via a video call. To ensure privacy, a confidential link to join the video call will be emailed to program registrants. Participants from across the province are welcome to join virtually!
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The purpose of this program is to match LGBTQIA+ newcomers with established community members or long-term immigrants, to help them learn about Canadian life and to take part in community activities. Participants will meet with a volunteer mentor for 1-2 times per month, for 6 months (or until your goals are met).
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To participate, you must be a newcomer to Canada (im/migrant or refugee) who also identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Participants must be over the age of 18.
These programs are open to newcomers regardless of immigration status (this includes permanent residents, temporary residents, refugees, international students, etc.).
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To register for our LGBTQIA+ Newcomer Peer Support Group and/or Mentorship Program, complete the online form here: https://forms.office.com/r/ZMtjeLtEUA
If you have questions or would like to complete your registration over the phone or in-person, you can contact kimberly@ywcastjohns.ca or call/text/WhatsApp 709-769-6649.
Our LGBTQIA+ newcomer programs are part of our “Fostering Collaboration” project, delivered in partnership with Dr. Sulaimon Giwa of Memorial University’s School of Social Work. This project is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Amplifying Voices: Report on the LGBTQ+ Newcomer Research and Symposium in Newfoundland and Labrador
The “Amplifying Voices Symposium” was held on November 28th, 2023. The purpose of this event was to share the preliminary findings from the research study, “Settlement and integration experiences of LGBTQ+ newcomers and providers’ perspective about meeting their needs in Newfoundland and Labrador'' with the community.
The following report contains reflections on the symposium, as well as a summary of the preliminary research findings. This report was written by Dr. Sulaimon Giwa of Memorial University’s School of Social Work, and YWCA St. John’s.