You Are Among Friends

I want to bring your attention to a very important organization in Toronto.

I had the privilege of being a guest to tonight's dinner and Booklet Launch for the "You Are Among Friends" group (which is a part of the Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services) organization which serves to help newcomers to Toronto / Canada.
The event was held at the 519 Community Centre on Church street.

The objectives of this organization is to:

• make LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) newcomer communities more visible
• to help service providers serve the communities better, through sharing some of their own experiences
• to reach out to and make connections with many other LGBTQ+ newcomers
• to advocate for more inclusive and positive spaces and services
• to highlight their multiple identies
• to makes allies, coordinate outreach, help people settle in a new city: home and job
• to celebrate all aspects of what makes us who we are

This booklet was prepared by some of the members of the "You Are Among Friends" team. It represents how these members think, speak, and write, and communicate in English (most times this is not their first language). The group also provides peer mentoring and provides support for new people to Toronto who may want to start networking and socializing with other people who share similar stories / backgrounds.

This is a vital organization to have (especially) in the city of Toronto as this is one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
People come here for many reasons - family, love, jobs, a change, or sadly to escape their current situation and city; seeking political asylum from their countries where they are being persecuted and tortured being something other than "straight" is against the law, prohibited, and in some countries punishable by death. Take a minute to imagine what it might be like to live like this.
Yes, this is a very true reality which leaves people devastated and their future outlook on life and themselves very hopeless and dim.
This happens. Every day. Even today. In 2011.

Hearing the stories that team members from this organizations shared - and share in the booklet: (stories from their hearts; of coming to a new country and being able to win the immigration battle; stories about struggling as a newcomer; finding a job; a home; and finding comfort and support from this group from people in the same boat as them - and networking) was heart warming and also made me proud to be from Toronto and who have friends who take the time to volunteer at this organization.

For more information on Access Alliance and the "You Are Among Friends" group or how you can become involved or volunteer, please visit:
http://accessalliance.ca/amongfriends