Youth embracing a community (Staff Perspective)

Story 4. This story was written by one of The Studio youth (21 y/o) about their own experiences.

“The Studio was the first time we interacted with people like us. The first time we felt like we were on the same page as the people around us. We had never felt that comfortable anywhere else. Sure, it took a while to deconstruct some biases, we have had things to work on, to understand ourselves and others better, but in a space of understanding and acceptance like the Studio, it felt like that process was smoothed over. The Studio has probably saved my life on multiple occasions. It just felt like one safe haven. One place where we could try and understand ourselves and have the space to do so. It came with that sense of community that’s so important for everyone.”