b'Supported by TD Bank GroupYouth Helping YouthCOVID isnt slowing Ontarios LGBT YouthLine LGBT YouthLine Executive Director Berkha Gupta, left, andCommunications Coordinator Saadia Khan, rightB phone line for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queercitizenship strategy to help open doors ack in 2010, author Dan Savage, who writes the sex-advice columnand questioning young people acrossto a more inclusive and sustainable Savage Love, launched aOntario. It was soon supporting moretomorrow, TD is targeting $1 billion by dynamic campaign with his partner Terrythan 400 LGBTQ2+ young people 2030 to help create the conditions so Miller called It Gets Better per month. everyone, including members of theto offer hope to young LGBTQ2+ people strugglingYouthLine has evolved over time, addingLGBTQ2+ community, has the chance to to make their way in the world. Whereaslayers of support services over the years.succeed in a changing world. These efforts it does get better for many, there isToday they include live online chat, textsupport change and nurture progress for always a new generation of young peoplesupport, a resources databaseespeciallymembers of the LGBTQ2+ community needing affirmation and support.useful for youth in rural and suburbanand beyond.In Ontario, LGBTQ2+ youth todayareasand YouthOrganize, an onlineWe need to support our LGBTQ2+ youth, have a place to turn to when theyreplatform for LGBTQ2+ youth organizersespecially now when the issues they feeling isolated, discouraged, anxious orintroduced in 2019. face have been intensified and access to threatened: the Lesbian Gay Bi YouthLine is really all about affirmingsupports has been more challenging due Trans YouthLine. and celebrating youth of all gendersto the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, Statistics compiled by the Canadianand sexualities, says LGBT YouthLinesays Amy Hanen, Associate Vice President Mental Health Association show thatCommunications Coordinator Saadia Social Impact (Canada), TD Bank Group. LGBTQ youth and trans people faceKhan. That is heavily aligned with myWere proud to continue working with increased risk of mental-health challenges.values of anti-racism, anti-oppression,YouthLine to help connect LGBTQ2+ For example, they report that LGBTQIndigenous solidarity and of course theyouth with resources they need to ensure youth face approximately 14 times theyouth-centred aspect of it all: we are inyouth of all sexual orientations and risk of suicide and substance abusean organization that is majority youth.gender identities are supported,than heterosexual peers; 77% of transAll the volunteers are under 29, and theand celebrated.respondents in an Ontario-based surveymajority of staff as well. Because of that,TD has been a long-time supporter had seriously considered suicide, and 45%our organization is pretty unique. and one of the largest supporters of our had attempted suicide.TD READY COMMITMENT HelpLine, says Berkha Gupta, Executive Launched in May 1994 to address theTD is a long-time supporter of the LesbianDirector of the Lesbian Gay Bi Trans need for community-specific support,Gay Bi Trans YouthLine. Through the TDYouthLine. Their continued commitment LGBT YouthLine started as a toll-freeReady Commitment, the Banks corporatehas supported our 2SLGBTQ+ youth'