Egale Youth OUTreach Counselling Centre and Drop In LGBTQ2S youth 29 and under.
183 Carlton Street Toronto (Carlton and Seaton – east side entrance) In 2014 in the wake of several high profile LGBTIQ2S suicides, recommendations from suicide summits and research focused on the needs of Queer and Trans youth Egale took the step to respond to the dramatic need for suicide and homelessness crisis services and counselling for LGBTIQ2S youth to move into frontline work and founded The Egale Youth OUTreach Counselling Centre (EYO). This step could not have happened without the generous support of a private donor.

The Centre opened its doors to service in 2014 in downtown Toronto and is hoped to be a model to spread across the country.

Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia, violence and harassment in our schools, in our families and in our communities combined with experiencing homelessness and other stressors take their toll on mental health and overall well-being. We have created Egale Youth OUTreach to help address these challenges by providing direct services to LGBTIQ2S youth.

VISION:
A Toronto where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning and Two-Spirit youth are safely housed, supported and encouraged to live their dreams.

MISSION:
To provide affirming, supportive, appropriate mental health care to LGBTIQ2S children and youth up to age 29, culturally specific and culturally informed care.

To provide care and counselling to queer and trans children and youth together with their parents and their schools as requested. Family counselling and school based education and service available.

To address and respond to the needs of LGBTQ2S youth who are homeless, unstably housed, or at risk of homelessness. This includes direct service provision and providing warm referrals to safe and affirming community services and supports.

To advocate for and initiate housing solutions to address the unmet needs of under-housed LGBTIQ2S youth.

To provide a Drop In space for LGBTIQ2S youth to gather to feel welcome and supported.

VALUES:
LGBTIQ2S Affirming
Client Centric Service
Youth Empowerment
Strengths-Based Approach
Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression
Non-Judgement
Community
Collaboration
Housing Stabilization

Client-centred and strengths-based intake and assessment leading to a customized support plan
Connection with emergency shelter and housing solutions
Assistance in applying for government health and social assistance programs including OW, ODSP and OHIP
Help in obtaining government-issued identification amending sex markers on official documentation
Coaching on resumes and job search, as well as employment agency referrals
Warm referrals to safe and supportive agencies
Provision of food, TTC tokens, and other basic necessities
Crisis Intervention & Other Services

Same-day crisis response and counselling
Suicide prevention, intervention and postvention care
Ongoing counselling for individuals and families
Addiction and mental health supports
Medical, dental and legal aid referrals