A Kelowna-based organization dedicated to helping young 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous, black, racialized and historically underrepresented people feel valued, connected and safe, has received a $150,000 grant, allowing it to expand to better serve the community.

香蕉视频直播淲hen I saw the email, I cried and said; 香蕉视频直播榃ow, we did it,'" said Meaghan Duckett, the founder and executive director of

This Space Belongs to You is a grassroots non-profit focused on supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ and Indigenous, Black and People of Colour (IBPOC) youth aged 12-24 in Kelowna for no cost in a safe and inclusive environment.

"This felt like a lifeline. This funding validates our work and reminds us that our community matters. It will allow us to create a space where people feel valued and connected.香蕉视频直播�

The grant will support This Space in securing a dedicated physical location, allowing the team of diverse allies to continue to offer free individual counselling services, workshops, gender-affirming support and community-building events.

香蕉视频直播淚 firmly believe that This Space fills a critical gap in mental health care in the Okanagan," said Duckett.

In 2024 alone, the non-profit organization provided 357 counselling sessions, hosted 11 workshops, outfitted 28 individuals with gender-affirming wear and hosted four events for youth in Kelowna, all free of charge. The non-profit is currently searching for a space to rent and is

"2SLGBTQIA+, and IBPOC young people face mental health disparities not based on their identities, but due to systemic harms like racism, colonialism, homophobia, and transphobia that impact their overall wellness. Mental health services often fail to address their unique challenges, as they are not designed with these communities in mind and are frequently staffed by individuals who may not share similar lived experiences, and are not affirming and aware of experiences of systemic harm further exacerbating the risk of ongoing harm," said Duckett.

The funds come from the Vancouver Foundation LEVEL BIPOC Grant, which has been awarded to This Space once before. The $150,000 will be distributed over the course of three years and will be used directly for programming. 

To learn more about This Space Belongs to You and to donate, visit