2SLGBTQAI+ Youth

Covenant House Vancouver strives to be a safe and inclusive space for all youth

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, gender non-binary and two spirited youth are overrepresented in the homeless community. We strongly believe that all youth deserve unconditional love and absolute respect and 2SLGBTQAI+ youth are no exception.

25 – 40% of homeless youth are 2SLGBTQAI+
Family rejection is the most common cause of 2SLGBTQAI+ youth homelessness
2SLGBTQAI+ youth are much more likely to struggle with mental health concerns, including suicide

The True Inclusion Assessment

In 2014, Covenant House International collaborated with the True Colors Fund to roll out a pioneering resource, the True Inclusion Assessment. The assessment was designed by the True Colors United to help agencies implement best practices to welcome and serve 2SLGBTQAI+ youth. The tool measures the inclusivity of an agency’s policies, practices, physical space, and programs, using information gleaned from anonymous surveys of youth and staff.

Based on the assessment’s outcome, the True Colors Fund then guides the agency through the necessary steps to create a more 2SLGBTQAI+ inclusive and affirming program and environment. The True Colors Fund applied the True Inclusion Assessment at Covenant House sites across the United States and Canada, including here in Vancouver.

The True Inclusion Assessment led Covenant House Vancouver to launch our Rainbow Advisory Committee. Covenant House Vancouver’s Rainbow Advisory Committee is made up of staff members from each department in the agency. They are dedicated to insuring we use best practices to serve our 2SLGBTQAI+ youth and that we continue to enhance our spaces, policies, procedures, and programs.

Covenant House takes a trauma-informed, resilience-focused approach to support the youth in our care. Our program staff participate in specialized training to ensure staff have the necessary knowledge and awareness to create a welcoming* space for 2SLGBTQAI+ youth.

Resources for 2SLGBTQAI+ Youth

Our Drop-In Centre holds an event for 2SLGBTQAI+ youth on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

There are 63 beds in our short-term Crisis Program:

24 beds for female-identified, trans, and non-binary youth
35 beds for male-identified, trans, and non-binary youth

Trans, gender queer, non-binary and two-spirit youth may request to stay in which ever space they feel most comfortable in. If you are youth in need of support or have questions, please contact us toll free, at 1-877-685-7474.

* We recognize that safety is relative, and we cannot always predict or anticipate what is safe for everyone. We do our best to create an environment where youth feel comfortable, welcome and supported.