Information guide
www.soytoronto.org
WHAT IS SOY? Supporting Our Youth (SOY) As a program of Sherbourne Health Centre, SOY is an innovative community development program offering holistic support and diverse programming to address the complex needs of LGBTQ youth aged 14-29.
SOY Impacts SOY creates opportunities for youth to build resilience, nurtures belonging, improves health knowledge and provides access to community resources. The program cultivates an inclusive, welcoming community with trusted adults. SOY supports over 250 youth each week through access to 12 groups and one-to-one mentoring, counselling and staff support.
SOY groups focus on • • • • •
Homeless and vulnerably housed youth Newcomer and immigrant youth Trans and gender questioning youth Black, Multi-racial and African/Caribbean youth Youth facing mental health challenges
Sherbourne Health Centre Since 2002, Sherbourne provides primary care, chronic disease management, mental health services, health promotion and outreach. We direct our efforts to improving health for communities who face social economic and other systemic barriers through dignified and accessible health support and community programs.
SOY Youth Stats
9,848 annual visits to SOY
3,220 visits for 1-to-1 support
3,245 referrals made to housing, employment, legal, health, counselling and community services
1,723 2,344 meals served at the Monday Night Drop-In last year
77 youth who have completed the SOY H.E.A.T. training program since 2010
2,000 hours of time contributed by volunteers
students, educators, health professionals and community partners who learned about LGBTQ youth issues in 28 SOY H.E.A.T. presentations
7,725 return TTC fares
39 currently matched mentors to SOY youth
(based on 2016-17 annual information)
How do donations to SOY Bowlathon 18 help? $
35=
1 youth attends SOY’s Express Program Builds resilience for one queer newcomer youth to learn how to navigate the Canadian immigration system, provides information on local resources and encourages participation in a shared community
$
100=
Honorariums for SOY H.E.A.T. youth ambassadors To present in schools, workplaces and community service organizations, creating safer spaces for LGBTQ youth in Toronto, combatting homophobia and transphobia, and growing diversity
$
50=
2 hours of dedicated one-to-one staff support for 1 queer youth Empowers one gender questioning youth with education on gender transitioning, provides health information, support for family and personal issues, and community resources
$
1,000=
1 full SOY Monday Night Drop-In session Meet your team’s $1,000 goal to keep the Monday Night Drop-In open for one night, providing a safe space for up to 50 homeless and streetinvolved youth to have a nutritious dinner, support from volunteer mentors, housing and employment resources
How can you get involved?
! ! !
Form a team Get together with friends, family or co-workers and form a team of up to 8 bowlers. Then ‌ Start fundraising! Each team aims to raise $1,000 in pledges.
Sponsor a youth bowler SOY youth participate annually on youth teams. If you are unable to attend the Bowlathon, sponsoring a youth is a great way to support the event.
Share SOY Bowlathon 18! Share the event on Twitter and Facebook and invite your friends online.
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Join a team Sign up and join a team with your own online fundraising page. Your fundraising page can be personalized and shared with all your friends and family. Online fundraising is simple and easy!
Support the prize draw You can help us reach our fundraising goal by donating prizes to our draw or by purchasing draw tickets on the day of the event.
Print off the attached poster and encourage your friends and colleagues to join in supporting SOY.
A Fundraiser for Supporting Our Youth
1:00PM-4:00PM | Bowlerama West, 5429 Dundas St. W
Featuring
• 24 lanes of 10 pin cosmic bowling with black lights, dance music and disco balls • T eams made up of SOY youth, mentors, volunteers, community partners and supporters, staff, family and friends • Buffet lunch and cash bar • Fabulous awards for participants • A draw featuring an incredible array of prize • Lots of fun! Choose a fun team name, dress up in team costumes, write team cheers, and show some spirit for SOY!
Any questions?
Get involved and help us reach our $50,000 fundraising goal • Form a team or join a team of up to 8 players. Each team aims to raise $1,000 in pledges. • Join and start your online fundraising page today at www.soytoronto.org! • Sponsor a youth team • Donate prizes • Invite your friends and family to bowl or lend their support
COSTUMES ENCOuRAGED!
Contact Catherine at cargiropoulos@sherbourne.on.ca or 416-324-4169.
To join or donate, visit our event page at www.soytoronto.org * Bowling shoes will be provided free of charge at the alley.
* Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $10 or more.