Hi there! My name is Karlie and I'm a 26 year old Youth Activist from Vancouver BC's DTES Drag Scene, McMaster University, and Nelson High School. After growing up as a Busking Drag Artist in the Man Up Vancouver/East Side Community, I ended up ousted after a traumatic incident. Instead of being communally supported financially to keep my jobs, I ended up being pushed into Psychiatric Care, by a family of White* People.

Racialized individuals who experience Trauamtic Abuse should not be pushed into isolating and spirituality-sucking mental health facilities, often trained in ABA, and forced medicalization on anti-psychotics, and benzodiazepines.

I'm hoping to update and open a Building (or a few!) in the area that can function as proper Arts Shelter Spaces for Youth Artists in Trauma Crisis, where we can fund their comfortable return back to paid work at their personal comfort & assistance - particularly for those between the ages of 25-39. Most of the individuals, such as myself, end up in care facilities around the Toronto Area, as they have the best “psychiatric” care - but my goal would be to produce more spaces akin to the Barrett Centre, and to actually make sure the individuals got the access and care they need at a cost that isn’t “desperation.”

All artists deserve a safe space to nap during the day, and to play with instruments, care tools, and intricate devices at their leisure. We do not need to be handed children’s scissors. Indigivoices & Spiritualities Matter. Creators First.

#-K****