THE ALL OUT COLLECTIVE STORY
The All Out Collective is the dream come true of our founder, Heather. They have been a Hamilton social worker for over two decades, spending much of that time working with and advocating for the needs of 2SLGBTQ+ children and youth in education, justice and child welfare systems. As a queer identified social worker and parent, Heather began to see the gaps in services available for 2SLGBTQ+ children, youth and families and the dreams and plans for the All Out Collective began. Inspired by other incredible organizations in Ontario such as Central Toronto Youth Services and Queer at ROCK, the All Out Collective started with two programs in September 2024; Families in Transition and the True Colours Club. Heather, along with our wonderful volunteers, began running these groups with the small amounts of money raised from local button fundraising initiatives.
We have been so fortunate to have connected with incredible community organizations and businesses who have shown us support with partnerships, fundraising and promotion. We remain a small, Hamilton, grassroots organization that relies on the people of our community for our funding and existence. We are grateful to anyone who has made a donation, purchased a button or t-shirt or offered their talents, skills or space to help us continue to fulfill our mission and vision. We hope to exist in the Hamilton community for decades to come, continuing to not only provide programming to 2SLGBTQ+ children, youth and their families, but to be a voice of advocacy, activism and resistance, ensuring our community continues to thrive.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the All Out Collective is to provide inclusive, affirming, safer spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth through programming, community building, education and the arts.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to provide a growing spectrum of programs, resources, outreach and advocacy for 2SLGBTQIA+ children, youth and their families. We will do this through:
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Arts-based and therapeutic programming for children and youth
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Providing spaces that are accessible and that affirm and celebrate neurodiversity
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Education and support for parents and caregivers of Two Spirit, Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse children and youth
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Training and workshops for community organizations and systems.
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Building community partnerships
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Providing spaces in which 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth can build community.
OUR VALUES
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Intersectionality
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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
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Trauma-Informed
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Neuro-diverse Affirming
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Safer Spaces
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Affirmation and Agency
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
ACCESSIBILITY
In order to better serve our community, the All Out Collective works hard to ensure that service delivery supports the core principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act: independence, dignity, integration, and equal opportunity. Intakes for all our participants include a discussion of needs and accommodations to make our programming accessible for all participants.
ANTI-RACISM STATEMENT
The All Out Collective is committed to being an anti-racist organization by engaging in the following: taking conscious and deliberate action to ensure equitable opportunities for all people and communities, promoting anti-racism within our programming and outreach, recognizing the importance of representation in 2SLGBTQIA+ spaces and places, and continuing to critically examine our practices and programming on an ongoing basis.
TRUTH & RECONCILIATION
The All Out Collective is committed to honouring and amplifying the voices of all Indigenous people, and particularly those queer, Indigqueer, trans, and Two Spirit folks who continue to face erasure, violence, and appropriation by settler queer culture and who’s existence we owe thanks and gratitude. We continue to work mindfully towards Truth & Reconiliation and the Calls to Justice and know that this will always be a work in progress & must be demonstrated through community action & engagement.