True Voices Youth Grants, supported by American Eagle, will fund efforts to uplift and empower 2SLGBTQ+ students at 13 schools across Canada.

TORONTO, February 1, 2024 – It Gets Better Canada, a national charity with a mission to uplift and empower 2SLGBTQ+ youth, today announced its 2024 True Voices Youth Grants program, an initiative to fund projects that support and uplift 2SLGBTQ+ storytelling in schools across Canada. The effort, in its inaugural year, will provide grants of up to $5,000 to 13 Canadian public high schools, for a total of $65,000 in grants. True Voices Youth Grants has been developed with generous support from American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO), on behalf of its American Eagle and Aerie brands.

It Gets Better Canada is funding storytelling grants for youth-led projects running from September 2024 to June 2025, in all 10 provinces and 3 territories to support projects uplifting and empowering 2SLGBTQ+ youth. The grants will fund a wide spectrum of projects based on the specific needs and priorities of each individual school. With applications closing on April 1, 2024, students will have the opportunity to develop project proposals in the form of podcasts, a YouTube video series, school plays, zines and much more – all with the aim of empowering their 2SLGBTQ+ school community.  

“Storytelling is at the core of what we do and amplify at It Gets Better Canada. Now more than ever, 2SLGBTQ+ youth stories need to be developed and heard, especially as we see an alarming rise in anti-2SLGBTQ+ hate across the country,” said Omid Razavi, Executive Director of It Gets Better Canada. “Through the True Voices Youth Grants, we are placing queer youth voices at the forefront so that they can proudly celebrate their identities.”

“We are excited to support this new grant initiative with It Gets Better Canada as we continue to uplift the voices and creativity of 2SLGBTQ+ advocates and changemakers,” said Jennifer Foyle, President – Executive Creative Director, American Eagle & Aerie. “AEO and our portfolio of brands are rooted in belonging, authenticity and celebrating self-expression. We are proud to help amplify this generation through the True Voices Youth Grants program.”

For more information on True Voices Youth Grants, and to sign up for notifications visit itgetsbettercanada.org/true-voices. For more on It Gets Better Canada, visit itgetsbettercanada.org. 

                                                                                                           — 30 —

About It Gets Better Canada

It Gets Better Canada is a registered charity in Canada that envisions a world where all 2SLGBTQ+ youth are free to live equally and know their worthiness and power as individuals. Its mission is to uplift, empower, and connect 2SLGBTQ+ youth across Canada.

Please visit www.itgetsbettercanada.org for more information, and join the conversation on all social platforms @itgetsbettercanada (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok).

Contact

Sonny Cantalini(they/them)

Program Coordinator

[email protected]