The Immigrant Education Society (TIES)

Published purpose

Through this 43-month project, The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) will develop and put in place the Arts-Based Engagement Ethnography (ABEE) to strengthen the GBV sector. It will address the disproportionate rate of GBV among newcomer LGBTQIA2S+ youth, considering the perspectives of the youth themselves. TIES will engage local newcomer LGBTQIA2S+ youth in Calgary by identifying and connecting with several community-based organizations and groups. The project will investigate the relationships and communication between newcomer LGBTQIA2S+ youth and their families, peers, and friends, and develop an arts-based tool to support youth with intersecting identities in navigating toward stronger, more affirming relationships. The project will involve newcomer 2SLGBTQAI+ youth to visually display their experiences which will be presented at an exhibition at the end of the project. TIES will research, develop, and create tools to implement this promising practice safely in Calgary, AB. An external evaluator will measure and assess the impact of the promising practice. TIES will produce a final report document and publish two peer-reviewed scholarly articles that they will share with other organizations and WAGE’s GBV Learning Centre to disseminate their findings to be replicated or expanded upon in the future. With the supplemental funds and extension provided in early 2026, The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) will introduce a series of VIA informed intervention activities, Creating Safe, Community building Environments and Strengthening Protective Factors, including a 3 part workshop series with creative components for newcomer 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, peer support groups to foster connection, community engagement, and ally involvement, and a project wrap up art exhibit showcasing participant expression and increasing public awareness. In addition, the organization will advance knowledge mobilization through the creation and dissemination of practice guides, infographics, conference presentations, and recorded webinars grounded in findings from the VIA research. The extension will also support a final external evaluation to assess the effectiveness and impact of the newly introduced activities and to ensure strong, evidence based project conclusions. Through these activities, they will further advance gender equality by strengthening community support networks, increasing access to culturally responsive and identity affirming GBV prevention resources, and amplifying the voices and lived experiences of newcomer 2SLGBTQIA+ youth across service providing sectors.