Photo © Courtesy of the Gilbert Centre
We are creating Safer Spaces together
Creating inclusive and safe environments is more important than ever in our increasingly diverse world. But can we ensure that our workplaces and communities feel welcoming and accessible to others?
The Safer Spaces initiative, led by the Gilbert Centre, simplifies things. The Gilbert Centre plays a crucial role in supporting marginalized communities and those impacted by HIV and Hepatitis C, including 2S-LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
Safer Spaces provides live professional development workshops and self-guided online training modules to foster inclusivity and safety in various settings. By supporting marginalized communities, encouraging community support, and driving donations to fund essential programs, Safer Spaces guides the way to bolstering inclusivity in workplaces, communities, and more.
The Need for Safer Spaces
Studies show that 2S-LGBTQ+ people are more likely to leave their home regions to access more inclusive services or hide their identity from service providers, leading to unmet needs. Additionally, the mental health of 2S-LGBTQ+ individuals is disproportionately impacted by stigma, prejudice, and discrimination, resulting in higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. This tells us that despite progress, many 2S-LGBTQ+ individuals still face significant challenges in feeling accepted and included in their communities, chosen and otherwise.
The Safer Spaces campaign aims to change this, and it begins with training. After all, how can we make changes if we don’t know what needs to be changed? In every setting they work in, Safer Spaces opens up new perspectives so every participant feels seen, understood, and respected. Through this holistic approach, participants can reflect and challenge the roots of their own biases, leading to a stronger and more accepting community for all.
Professional Training
Safer Spaces helps organizations create more inclusive programs and workplaces for 2S-LGBTQ+ communities, and provides tailored services to address the diverse needs of 2S-LGBTQ+ individuals by tackling institutional barriers to inclusion.
The results are tangible at every level. Workshops equip participants with concrete strategies to enhance their work and foster a more inclusive environment, and management is guided through best practices to create a workplace culture that prioritizes inclusivity.
The Benefits of Safer Spaces Training
With over 300 organizations engaged, more than 550 workshops delivered, and over 13,000 individuals trained, Safer Spaces has made a significant impact on the organizations that have benefitted from its training programs. The training takes up to six hours to complete and costs as low as $89 +HST per person.
Benefits for Customers and Service Users
2S-LGBTQ+ individuals need assurance that they are welcomed and safe, and Safer Spaces makes this possible. Participating in Safer Spaces training helps organizations signal their commitment to inclusivity, making it easier for 2S-LGBTQ+ individuals to choose them with confidence.
Benefits for Your Employees
A welcoming and supportive workplace is a happy workplace! By participating in the program, organizations support their existing 2S-LGBTQ+ employees and attract new talent, fostering a more diverse and inclusive workforce while boosting productivity and employee satisfaction.
Benefits for Your Organizations
Organizations that participate in the program can proudly display Safer Spaces posters and stickers, signalling their commitment to 2S-LGBTQ+ communities and becoming inclusivity leaders in their communities. This positively impacts their reputation and ensures that everyone has the right to feel comfortable accessing services or working in an inclusive space.
It takes a community to make inclusion a reality. Join us in making a difference. Enroll in Safer Spaces training programs today by visiting the Safer Spaces Store at saferspaces.ca/store
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The Gilbert Centre is a community-based, not-for-profit, charitable organization that has been providing programs and services in Simcoe Muskoka since 1995. We are proud to celebrate the lives of people living with and affected by HIV and the individuals and families from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) communities.