Youth Resilience Strategy: BGC Central Vancouver Island

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BGC Central Vancouver Island excels at creating incredible opportunities for children to grow, learn, and thrive. Their various clubs are dedicated to inspiring youth, and families through engaging experiences that nurture their cognitive, emotional, and social skills. BGC believes in fostering resilience and confidence, and in empowering children to become happy, healthy contributors to society. Check out some of their amazing youth programs below!

Youth Lounge

The Youth Lounge is a partnership between the BGC of Central Vancouver Island and the City of Nanaimo. Youth Lounge is a free drop-in program that provides youth ages 11 - 18 with a safe, fun and supervised place to hang out and make their own. The program runs September to June from 3 pm - 7 pm every Thursday and 2 pm - 9 pm every Friday at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. Please note that on some occasions the program may run later for special events/activities. Youth Lounge offers a variety of free activities such as swimming, skating, video gaming, homework support, pizza nights and much more! Youth are welcome to come for part of or all the program time while flexibility allows for connection and support around the youth’s availability and level of commitment.

South Side Teen Centre

In addition to the Youth Lounge, BGC is also offering the South Side Teen Centre for ages 12 - 18, every Wednesday evening from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. The South Side Teen Centre offers a safe and inclusive space with opportunity to build positive peer relationships while participating in activities that focus on healthy living, social recreation, cultural awareness, and life skill development.

Generation Q

Many LGBTQ2SIA+ youth face multiple intersectional barriers when it comes to accessing housing, mental health support, employment and gender affirming care. Many of these folks have experienced or will experience higher rates of violence (physical, emotional, sexual and lateral), homelessness, depression, suicidal ideation, isolation, and marginalization.

At generation Q our goal is to provide the following:

  • A safe space for LGBTQ2SIA+ youth to explore their sexual and gender identities
  • A safe space for LGBTQ2SIA+ youth to socialize and foster inclusiveness
  • Working to reduce prejudice and bullying towards the LGBTQ2SIA+ community
  • A resource hub for parents and the community, regarding allyship and LGBTQ2SIA+ issues
  • Advocacy for LGBTQ2SIA+ children and youth in all capacities

Gen Q invites young people ages 12-18 who identify as LGBTQ2SIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic/Agender, or another gender or sexual orientation minority) to meet every Thursday night at 6:30 pm for a variety of activities (games, movie nights, crafts, discussions, guest speakers and more!) and conversations in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Community Youth Navigator

The BGCCVI Community Youth Navigator works 1-1 or in small groups with youth (ages 9-18) requiring addition support and/or assistance that falls outside of the normal group program objectives. This role provides youth with essential guidance and support to find and access community resources for those struggling with basic needs such as access to food, housing, education, social support, health/mental health supports and other urgent needs. This service fulfills an identified need among youth in the community who require support navigating available services, supports and who often face overwhelming situations. Referrals can be made by community stakeholders, program staff, family members, caregivers and the program also accepts self referrals. To request a BGCCVI Community Youth Navigator please contact youth@bgccvi.com

This program is part of Nanaimo's Youth Resilience Strategy.

BGC Central Vancouver Island excels at creating incredible opportunities for children to grow, learn, and thrive. Their various clubs are dedicated to inspiring youth, and families through engaging experiences that nurture their cognitive, emotional, and social skills. BGC believes in fostering resilience and confidence, and in empowering children to become happy, healthy contributors to society. Check out some of their amazing youth programs below!

Youth Lounge

The Youth Lounge is a partnership between the BGC of Central Vancouver Island and the City of Nanaimo. Youth Lounge is a free drop-in program that provides youth ages 11 - 18 with a safe, fun and supervised place to hang out and make their own. The program runs September to June from 3 pm - 7 pm every Thursday and 2 pm - 9 pm every Friday at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. Please note that on some occasions the program may run later for special events/activities. Youth Lounge offers a variety of free activities such as swimming, skating, video gaming, homework support, pizza nights and much more! Youth are welcome to come for part of or all the program time while flexibility allows for connection and support around the youth’s availability and level of commitment.

South Side Teen Centre

In addition to the Youth Lounge, BGC is also offering the South Side Teen Centre for ages 12 - 18, every Wednesday evening from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. The South Side Teen Centre offers a safe and inclusive space with opportunity to build positive peer relationships while participating in activities that focus on healthy living, social recreation, cultural awareness, and life skill development.

Generation Q

Many LGBTQ2SIA+ youth face multiple intersectional barriers when it comes to accessing housing, mental health support, employment and gender affirming care. Many of these folks have experienced or will experience higher rates of violence (physical, emotional, sexual and lateral), homelessness, depression, suicidal ideation, isolation, and marginalization.

At generation Q our goal is to provide the following:

  • A safe space for LGBTQ2SIA+ youth to explore their sexual and gender identities
  • A safe space for LGBTQ2SIA+ youth to socialize and foster inclusiveness
  • Working to reduce prejudice and bullying towards the LGBTQ2SIA+ community
  • A resource hub for parents and the community, regarding allyship and LGBTQ2SIA+ issues
  • Advocacy for LGBTQ2SIA+ children and youth in all capacities

Gen Q invites young people ages 12-18 who identify as LGBTQ2SIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic/Agender, or another gender or sexual orientation minority) to meet every Thursday night at 6:30 pm for a variety of activities (games, movie nights, crafts, discussions, guest speakers and more!) and conversations in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Community Youth Navigator

The BGCCVI Community Youth Navigator works 1-1 or in small groups with youth (ages 9-18) requiring addition support and/or assistance that falls outside of the normal group program objectives. This role provides youth with essential guidance and support to find and access community resources for those struggling with basic needs such as access to food, housing, education, social support, health/mental health supports and other urgent needs. This service fulfills an identified need among youth in the community who require support navigating available services, supports and who often face overwhelming situations. Referrals can be made by community stakeholders, program staff, family members, caregivers and the program also accepts self referrals. To request a BGCCVI Community Youth Navigator please contact youth@bgccvi.com

This program is part of Nanaimo's Youth Resilience Strategy.

Page last updated: 03 Sep 2024, 12:03 PM