2SLGBTQ+ organization in St.Albert shutting down amid financial concerns

A 2SLGBTQ+ resource centre that has helped hundreds of youth in St.Albert is set to close after 10 years.

The Outloud Foundation was started in 2014 by resident Terry Soetaert and his daughter Mia Soetaert as a resource for youth in the city and surrounding area.

It acted as a hub for youth under 12, teenagers and adults who sought community and provided resources for counselling, bullying, awareness and inclusion training.

In a series of news releases posted to social media, the organization announced on Friday it would be ceasing operations.

CBC requested further comment from Soetaert, who is a founder and fundraiser, on the situation and state of funding.

He declined and noted that he and the board were unable to discuss anything beyond what was posted on social media due to "legal issues."

"Over the last year funds have continued to get tighter and tighter, harder, and harder to get," Soetaert said in a Friday post via the Outloud Facebook page.

"We have held on and held on until now but we can't anymore."

'Everyone's really reeling' 

Over the years, Outloud grew from hosting community get-togethers in a church basement to a staffed agency offering support. Since opening, the organization said on its website that it has helped more than 1,000 youth and families.

St.Albert Mayor Cathy Heron told CBC the announcement came as a surprise to the city and council.

"It was sudden, and I think everyone's really reeling," she told CBC on Monday.

In April 2023, Soetaert and community outreach worker Bekah Marcellus approached council to ask for $50,000 to hire another staff member.

Marcellus told council that the organization sees about 60 kids with only three facilitators able to supervise sessions.

"Over 50 per cent of these kids exhibit high-risk behaviours, including suicidal ideation and self-harm," Marcellus said.

Marcellus pointed to the urgent need for funding amid what she said was a youth suicide crisis facing the city.

"We have over a dozen kids who have attempted suicide in the last 12 months. And even more and more who are desperate to keep their friends alive, and who had only at 12 years old, had to call 911 on a suicidal friend," Marcellus said.

"I see every day just how feeling supported, validated, and loved literally saves these kids' lives. But we're doing it with very few resources, and St. Albert's kids are starting to slip through the cracks."

Soetaert cited growing financial pressures following the pandemic, which exacerbated youth mental health concerns and difficulties in securing funding.

Council, which helped fund Outloud but was not involved in its operations, did not pass a motion to fund the organization with $50,000 due to grant timelines and policy.

On Monday, Heron told CBC that the city stands by Outloud and wants to advocate for greater family community support services grant funding from the Alberta government.

"This is something I feel super strong about, that we need to support these kids."

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