Youth organizers and staff from New Path and the Gilbert Centre celebrate the receipt of over $1800 from the second annual youth-led PRIDE BBQ held at Sunnidale Park. Attendance at this year’s event increased as did the donation amount from the community. All proceeds from the event support 2S-LGBTQ+ programming at the Gilbert Centre. Bottom left to right are: Dale Boyle, Executive Director of the Gilbert Centre; Jim Harris, CEO of New Path. Middle left to right are: Jenny Johnston, Youth Committee Member; Daneen Ens, Care and Treatment Worker at New Path and event organizer; Cemya Nugent, Youth Committee Member; Jaclyn Ng Man Chuen, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Implementation Lead at New Path; Conner Klages, Youth Committee Member; Mellissa Bennett, Placement Student at the Gilbert Centre. Top left to right are: Ellis Greenberg, Queer & Trans Program Manager at the Gilbert Centre; Champagne Thomson, Community Outreach and Fundraising Senior Manager at the Gilbert Centre; Kat Bransfield, Community Worker at the Gilbert Centre; Dani Chase, Care Coordinator at the Gilbert Centre.
Barrie, ON – Sunnidale Park in Barrie was filled with a large number of community residents and representatives from 11 community agencies who participated in the second annual New Path Youth and Family Services (New Path) Pride Event. This year’s event raised over $1,800 for the Gilbert Centre, directly supporting their 2S-LGBTQ+ programs in Simcoe Muskoka.
“New Path and the Gilbert Centre have shown the power of community partnership in creating a space where 2S-LGBTQ+ youth and their families can celebrate and find support,” says Dale Boyle, Executive Director of the Gilbert Centre. “Our agencies have worked closely together for a number of years, and we look forward to continuing to support our community through collaboration such as this Pride event.”
Originally envisioned by a group of youth from the New Path Live-In Treatment Services (LITS) program, the event aims to provide a safe, welcoming environment for families to celebrate Pride in a family-friendly manner, ensuring that the 2S-LGBTQ+ community feels supported and informed about the various resources and supports available to them.
“With guidance and support from New Path staff, the youth have been able to create something really special that highlights our agency values of inclusivity and collaboration. Throughout the day, we had a continuous flow of people enjoying the food, activities, and community booths,” says Daneen Ens, Care and Treatment Worker at New Path and event organizer. “This event has grown and blossomed, and we heard so many positive things from the community about how great it was to come and celebrate Pride month with their children and youth in such an open, friendly, and engaging way.”
The event featured booths hosted by various community agencies, who shared information about their services, including Seasons Centre for Grieving Children, Youth Haven, Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions, Trans Q/ Fierte Simcoe Pride, Pflag, Uplift Black, Shak’s World Community Centre, Gilbert Centre, Barrie Fire, Barrie Police Services, and Kool FM. Activities included a BBQ, raffle, face painting, henna, and a tie-dyeing station. Financial support to assist with renting the Dorian Parker Centre was also provided by City of Barrie, Ward 4 Councillor, Amy Courser.
About New Path Youth & Family Services of Simcoe County
New Path Youth & Family Services of Simcoe County (New Path) is an accredited children’s mental health agency providing a range of compassionate, innovative, and accessible services for children, youth, and their families throughout Simcoe County. We are a registered not-for-profit charitable organization with office locations across Simcoe County, including Alliston, Barrie, Bradford, Cookstown, Collingwood, and Orillia.
New Path is also the Lead Agency for children’s mental health in Simcoe County with the goal of enhancing the experience and outcomes of children, youth, and their families, seeking assistance with mental health and wellness.
New Path offers mental health services for children, youth and their families in-person, by-phone or online. A range of free mental health services are offered by professional counsellors. Book an appointment through the Quick Access Counselling Clinic: www.newpath.ca/book-now or by calling New Path at 705-725-7656.
To learn more about New Path, to donate, or get involved please visit www.newpath.ca, follow us on social media Facebook: New Path Youth & Family Services X: @NewPathYFS Instagram: @NewPathYFS or sign up for our TrailSigns Newsletter
About the Gilbert Centre
The Gilbert Centre is a community-based, not-for-profit AIDS Services Organization (ASO) dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS, HCV, people who use drugs (PWUD) and those within the 2S-LGBTQ+ communities. Our mission is to provide inclusive and affirming services that foster health, well-being, and social justice. We provide low-barrier access to systemically marginalized intersections promoting inclusivity for all.
Media Contacts
Dominika Zapolnik, Manager of Communications
New Path Youth and Family Services
Phone: 705-627-3067
Email: dzapolnik@newpath.ca
Facebook: New Path Youth & Family Services
X: @NewPathYFS
Instagram: @NewPathYFS
Champagne Thomson, Outreach & Fundraising, Senior Manager
Gilbert Centre