Here are five community resources from the IN Directory that can offer help to 2SLGBTQI+ communities…
By Brennen Neufeld
While there are organizations across the country that provide vital support for people experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), finding services that welcome queer folks can be challenging. Support services can be vague about whether they’re inclusive of queer folks, or even discriminatory about who can safely access their services.
This can make finding much-needed support more difficult than it should be. Thankfully, more and more organizations are expanding their services to be more inclusive. If you or someone you care about is experiencing IPV, support is available.
Here are five organizations from across Canada that are providing inclusive support for people in 2SLGBTQI+ communities who are experiencing IPV.
The 482 Collective
Where: Vaughan, Ont.
Who they are and what they do: This registered Canadian charity supports women, children and individuals from diverse 2SLGBTQI+ communities in the Greater Toronto Area, York Region and beyond who have fled domestic violence and human trafficking. It does this by providing timely support for essential items such as food, personal hygiene products, home essentials, cleaning supplies and more.
The Today Centre
Where: Edmonton
Who they are and what they do: Individuals in 2SLGBTQI+ communities who are experiencing family violence can access short-term support from this registered charity. It helps clients navigate their risks and increase safety by directing them to appropriate legal assistance, exploring options for emergency shelters, and providing education about family violence and its impact.
Black Women in Motion
Where: Toronto
Who they are and what they do: This survivor-led, grassroots organization empowers and supports the advancement of Black women, girls, non-binary and gender non-conforming survivors of gender-based violence. It provides youth employment assistance, training and consultation services, internships, student placements and more.
Family Services of the North Shore
Where: Vancouver
Who they are and what they do: This is a non-profit, community-based agency that offers counselling, support, education and volunteer engagement opportunities across the entire North Shore of British Columbia. All programming, which includes their Counselling Support and Sexual Assault Response Program, is inclusive of all genders.
Sexual Violence New Brunswick
Where: New Brunswick
Who they are and what they do: A variety of services are available at this provincial non-profit, such as support groups, counselling and public education. It operates within an anti-oppression, feminist-based framework. Services are available to individuals of all genders in the Fredericton region, but the organization can also connect people to community-based support services across New Brunswick.
These are just a handful of the impactful 2SLGBTQI+ organizations providing valuable services and programs across Canada. To find more resources in your local community, visit the IN Directory, Canada’s national 2SLGBTQI+ community resource directory, at inmagazine.ca/directory.
BRENNEN NEUFELD is IN Magazine’s manager, community partnerships, and a small-town guy with a big heart. He’s passionate about cultivating inclusion, belonging and community wherever he goes. In his down time, he enjoys listening to audiobooks, dancing to disco in his kitchen and watching queer films, especially documentaries.
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