Founders step back from LGBTQ support group
Growing youth-focused organization eyes addition of staff member
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The founders of It Gets Better Yellowknife have stepped back from running the organization as it transitions to operating the Rainbow Centre downtown, a move that aims to inject new leaders and views into the group.
Mark Epelon, a 16-year-old board member of the Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife, inside the Rainbow Centre's space in the Good Works building on 52 Street. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo
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"Somebody new has to decide where to go with it," said Jacq Brasseur, one of the co-founders, at the youth-focused organization's annual general meeting Thursday evening.
Brasseur and Nicole Garbutt co-founded the organization in 2011, bringing awareness and support for LGBTQ youth.
Brasseur said the group went through a somewhat dormant phase until earlier this year when Mayor Mark Heyck sought to partner with the group for Days of Pink in April. The series of workshops and events included a breakfast with the mayor and youth.
It was at that event that people said the community needs a place for LGBTQ youth to come together to be able to talk and get information.
It Gets Better secured funding through several government departments and in August opened the Rainbow Centre in the former Union of Northern Workers office on 52 Street.
The centre, geared towards supporting those under 30 years old, is a relatively small room located at the back of the shared workspace in what's now called the Good Company building. Brasseur said since the start of September, the centre has had almost daily programming - movie nights, support groups and other events - and sees between two and 10 youth attend per day. Brasseur remains involved by volunteering at the centre.
With the new space and funds specifically designated to pay for staff, one of the questions members grappled with last week was whether to hire a person who would be at the centre while it is open.
Garbutt said she's in favour of hiring a staff member given the volunteer time put already being put into the project.
"Especially if we have funds that are specifically designated for that," said Coleen Canney, who was elected to the board and takes on the role of president.
Part of the meeting saw members vote to undertake a formal name change to become the Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife, which it began using in August as the resource centre opened.
