The Power of Support

The Power of Support

Aaron’s Journey with OK2BME

Every year, OK2BME supports hundreds of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, adults, and their families through counselling, public education, youth groups, and events, including the annual Pride Prom event.

“My friend invited me to Pride Prom two years ago, when it was still online...I hadn’t heard of OK2BME before and was like, ‘Okay, this sounds cool’.” Aaron recalls.

“I wanted to write about OK2BME. I know it’s a good support system and it’s a good group of people. It’s a really helpful program to have for the young 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the community.”

Aaron attended the following year’s Pride Prom, this time with a few more friends and in the fall of 2022, Aaron learned of OK2BME’s Youth Leadership Team (YLT). “I really wanted to work on my leadership skills, so I signed up. And it was really good that the organization offers help with transportation!”

OK2BME’s YLT is a youth-led group that helps build planning skills, leadership skills, and confidence. The group plays a crucial role in assisting the program’s two keystone events: the annual Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Conference and the Pride Prom. These events support hundreds of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, offering them a space to feel seen, supported, and celebrated. “I’m proud to say that I was a part of the Youth Leadership Team.”

Through the involvement with OK2BME Aaron has become a leader in the program and his sense of gratitude inspired him to apply for the France-Anne Sweeny “Making a Difference” Award. To be considered for the award students are required to write an essay about their favourite charity and without hesitation, Aaron chose OK2BME.

Aaron’s essay was really impactful, and he was selected as the winner of the award. He was thrilled that the donation would support the OK2BME program because as he says:

“It’s good to know that there’s someone who cares and that I can have people like me that I talk to regularly and not just feel like an outsider. It’s important that we have OK2BME because youth in the community like me know that ‘I’m welcome here’. Everyone wants to feel welcome somewhere.”

Aaron’s journey with OK2BME highlights the power of support, acceptance and giving back. Through his involvement in the program, he has realized his potential to make a difference and continue building a community where everyone feels valued and celebrated.

“It is so important to have a group like OK2BME in Kitchener-Waterloo area because it’s good to see representation and it’s good to have a community that you can go to if you need it. It’s good to meet people and form bonds that you really wouldn’t have the chance anywhere else. It’s a place that you can go where there’s a lot of good people there who are willing to help. After the event I followed OK2BME on Instagram because I wanted to stay connected and keep updated on other events.”