Sherbourne Health
The Ultimate SOY Bowlathon
THE BOWLATHON IS HERE! Join us SATURDAY OCTOBER 21 at THE BALLROOM (145 John St) for a fun-filled afternoon of bowling, entertainment, food, and fantastic prizes all in support of 2SLGBTQ youth.
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FAREWELL SOY BOWLATHON
On Saturday, October 21 our community came together to celebrate 25 years of Supporting Our Youth and say farewell to the SOY Bowlathon.
For one last time, guests put on their bowling shoes and competed for some fabulous prizes while supporting 2SLGBTQ youth. We also took a moment to reflect with a special video honouring the community members who participated over the past 25 years and raised over $1,000,000 for Supporting Our Youth.
This year, the SOY Bowlathon exceeded our fundraising goal of $40,000 thanks to the amazing individuals and businesses who participated and donated.
Check out pictures from the Ultimate SOY Bowlathon on Sherbourne's site here: https://sherbourne.on.ca/news/the-ultimate-soy-bowlathon-surpasses-goal-fundraises-over-47600-for-2slgbtq-youth/
SOY staff and youth are currently working on developing a new annual event that will be more accessible and youth led so stay tuned for what comes next!
ABOUT SOY
As a program of Sherbourne Health, Supporting Our Youth (SOY) is an innovative and award-winning community development program offering holistic support and diverse services to address the complex needs of 2SLGBTQ youth 29 years old and under. Through SOY, 2SLGBTQ youth are provided with mental health and wellness programming, goal planning, meals, skills development, housing and employment supports, and much more. SOY creates opportunities for youth to build resilience and confidence in a safe, inclusive and nurturing space that helps to reduce isolation, improve mental health, and help them grow skills to take into their adult lives.
Watch the video below to hear firsthand from some of our youth why SOY matters to them.
"The SOY program was a springboard for me to get on my feet in the big city of Toronto! Moving here as a queer and trans teenager on the run from an abusive and transphobic home environment, attending the SOY program when I got into Toronto helped me find community and support. I was able to access health care services, get fed regularly, and learn about issues relevant to the LGBTQ+ community. Now a university student, activist, and member of SOY's Speaker's Bureau, I am sure that the relationships, support, and skills I gained through SOY are what helped put me on a positive and healing path." - SOY participant, Markus
“Sherbourne and SOY has definitely changed my life for the better. It has changed me because they have provided food, tokens, support, and recreation and in a time of stress. For times of stress for trans newcomer youth, like myself, it is very important to come (to SOY) and to forget about the stresses of life or to have someone hear them out and provide guidance, and ease the stress, or to give hope." - SOY participant (name withheld by request)
YOUR IMPACT
Your support of this event will have a positive and significant impact on the lives of 2SLGBTQ youth in our community.
Donations of $10 and up will receive a tax receipt.
