Our History Positive Space Coalition of Peel

Our History

History

The Positive Space Coalition of Peel is the result of the coming together of two community groups.
The Coalition for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth in Peel and, the Positive Space Peel Community Collective.

In the Fall of 1992, a minister in Mississauga contacted Peel Health. He was counselling a number of gay and lesbian youth and was unable to find services or supports for these youth in their own community. He issued a challenge to Peel Health, saying that the Health Department should do something for these youth.

Peel Health staff contacted community agencies in Peel who were involved with youth and invited them to a meeting to consider the issue. Most agencies were supportive as they too had seen this need.

In February 8, 1993, community members and agency staff met to discuss what services and supports were needed. It was decided that an ongoing Coalition would be established which could offer advocacy, counselling, peer support and a social place for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth in Peel.

This was the beginning of the Coalition for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth in Peel.
The Coalition decided to start by sponsoring a drop-in for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth to meet the need for peer support and socializing.
The Mississauga drop-in began in June of 1993 and has met weekly ever since with ongoing support from the United Church of Canada, Hamilton Conference and PFLAG.

The Coalition invited all youth focused agencies in Peel to become involved as active members through sending representatives to our monthly meetings.
We provided training to these agencies in the areas of awareness of, sensitivity to and counselling for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. This training continues to be offered to agencies as requested.
Since its inception the Coalition has attempted to develop resources, advocate in the community and increase awareness of this issue through education. There are many challenges yet to be met as Peel continues to become a safer place for all people.

In 1997 the Coalition and the Positive Space Community Collective, a fledgling group focusing on the needs of LGBTTQQ adults, partnered to become the Positive Space Coalition of Peel.

This new group focuses on the needs of all LGBTTQQ residents in Peel

In 2002-2005 The coalition focused its energy on providing services to youth. The colaition was funded primarily through grants from the Laidlaw Foundation and the Go Leafs Go fund

In 2006-2008 The coalition was primarily funded by the Ministry of Child & Youth Services through a Community Capacity Building Fund. During this time the Coalition increased in size to include 15 seperate Social Service agencies and private businesses. During this time the Coalition also returned to providing outreach and workshops to the community. As well, the Coalition entered into a partnership with Associated Youth Services of Peel and the development of Youth Co-ordinator was implemented as a paid staff at Associated Youth Services of Peel while being funded by monies the Coalition recieved from theinistry’s Community Capicity Building Fund.

Current membership of the Positive Space Coalition of Peel
• Region of Peel Health
• Peel District School Board
• Peel Children’s Aid Society
• Peel Children’s Centre
• Peel HIV AIDS Network
• Associated Youth Services of Peel
• R.A.I.N.
• Y.M.C.A. of Greater Toronto
• Peel Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Centre
• Telecare Distress Centre
• Family Services of Peel
• Nexus
• Source Resource

The Current Coalition Executive

Co-Chair: Steve Levac - Peel Children’s Aid Society
Co Chair: Bill Takema - Gestalt Therapist in Peel

Secretary: Nelson Borges - YMCA Addictions Counsellor

Treasurer: Currently vacant