Groups
CTYS trains and works with organizations across Canada. Many of them create groups of their own, working closely with CTYS as FIT Certified Facilitators. Others run similar groups for their communities. Either way, groups aim to strengthen relationships and increase safety at home for youth who are gender-exploring, nonbinary, and/or trans. They work to break isolation, offer safer spaces to access support and information, and ultimately bring young people and their parents/caregivers closer together.
“Before this program I was completely lost. This was the guided journey that I needed for my intellectual and emotional growth in supporting my youth”
— A. P. - FIT Alumnus
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Programs that match your search
Thames Valley Family Health Team
In-person groups for caregivers and trans youth.
How to prepare for a FIT group
If you are thinking about joining a FIT group, that’s great news! This can be a huge positive step towards deepening connection with your young person. The FIT group is designed to be a non-judgmental space for parents and caregivers to bring their honest fears, discomforts, reactions, and beliefs.
We acknowledge and honour wherever parents are at. We are not here to criticize your parenting or question your parenting values. We are here to connect you with other parents with similar experiences and questions and offer strategies and tools for deepening communication and connection between you and your youth.
Frequently asked questions about FIT Groups
When does the group meet? Are you virtual or in person?
Yes! The FIT Youth Group is an offering, not a requirement. We love having young people connect in the youth space, and youth are welcome to join the youth group whether or not their parents/caregivers are attending the adult group.
Can I join if my youth isn’t part of a FIT youth group?
Yes! The FIT Youth Group is an offering, not a requirement. We love having young people connect in the youth space, and youth are welcome to join the youth group whether or not their parents/caregivers are attending the adult group.
Can I join if my youth doesn’t identify as trans?
Yes! Gender exploration is something that many young people do, and that can look a number of different ways. The group is open to any youth who are questioning their gender because we are not focused on where a young person ends up in their gender journey, but on how the journey feels.
Will the group push my youth to identify as trans?
No. It is not our job to determine whether or not your youth is trans. Our job is to create safe(r) spaces for youth and adults to simply exist. We provide opportunities for young people and their families to safely and authentically explore gender by looking critically at the ways the world tells us to behave, act, or identify.
Do you promote medical interventions for gender transition?
Nope! Just like we don’t determine whether or not youth are trans, it is not our job to determine whether or not medical interventions are right for them. We share information about medical interventions to equip parents, caregivers, and youth with a foundation to keep having those conversations with each other and qualified medical providers.
We know that this can be a complex, emotional topic. In the group, we name and manage fears around medical interventions and offer strategies for strengthening communication and connection between youth and parents/caregivers.
What if I have to miss a few sessions?
The group works like a course.We have set topics that we cover each week. These build off the previous weeks’ content, so missing groups will impact what people learn.
That being said, we know that parents are busy. Parents like us are already juggling a number of prioritiesAs facilitators we try to make the group as accessible as possible. If you miss a few groups, we can reach out to catch you up on missed content or see if you’d prefer to join a future group.
Do all of my youth’s caregivers need to attend together?
Every parent/caregiver does not need to attend the group. We know that parents have a lot on their plate! That being said, the group can be transformative. Some parents and caregivers who don’t attend together notice growing gaps in their knowledge and understanding.
We want families to move forward together! As such, we ask that families keep each other in the loop. If some parents aren’t attending groups, we encourage weekly check-ins where you share information and learning, have challenging conversations, and stay on the same page in your parenting values and approaches.
My co-parent(s) or partner(s) is not supporting our youth’s gender exploration. Should I still come to the group?
Having a co-parent or partner who is on a very different page in supporting your youth can be challenging and sensitive. Wherever possible, we move families forward together, strengthen relationships in the family, and deepen connection, communication, and trust. We want to work with you around any opportunities to reach across differences and set boundaries around behaviour to ensure and protect the safety of everyone, especially your youth.
Is the group only for parents? What about grandparents or older siblings?
This group is for anyone who is in a primary caregiving role. We know that families come in many forms, and that many young people’s primary caregivers include grandparents, aunts, uncles, or siblings. Anyone in that role is absolutely welcome to join the FIT group.
We also know that family members who are not in a caregiving role also need support around a young person’s gender journey! While the group may not be for them, we will share ways that you can have conversations with family members and invite them into this journey. We agree that people need groups for siblings, grandparents, and others!