At Friends of Ruby, mental health is at the core of everything we do. This Friday, we joined people around the world in recognizing World Mental Health Day; a reminder of how essential accessible, affirming mental health care is for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and something our caseworkers case managers and counsellors see every day.
Meet Maren
We’re thrilled to introduce you to Maren (she/her), one of our incredible Case Managers here at Friends of Ruby. Maren’s job is to work one-on-one with youth to help them achieve their goals. She joins us today to shine some light on what makes Friends of Ruby’s mental health care effective and unique.
Care Rooted in Empowerment
“The first thing a youth probably notices when they walk through the door is the sense of community that’s happening here,” Maren says. “It’s a team of people who really care and want to see them succeed.”
For many of the youth who walk through our doors, the first step towards gaining stability and hope is having someone who truly listens. Our approach to mental health is grounded in empowerment and trust.
Maren seconds that. “A lot of [our work] involves empowering folks and helping them feel like they have a space to feel equipped and ready to take on the world.”
The Right Path to Success
You might be wondering what the difference between a Case Manager and a Counsellor is.
It all comes down to each youth’s particular goals. Case management focuses primarily on external factors, like housing or employment, where counselling focuses on the internal, a youth’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
“That said, they really complement each other,” Maren tells us. “Counselling helps people process and grow, while case management helps them apply that growth to the practical parts of their lives.”
Every day, our staff support youth in navigating housing, employment, gender identity, and mental health. This work is rooted in a justice-oriented, trauma-informed approach that recognizes the full complexity of each young person’s experience. Every youth’s story is unique and our team is adaptable and multifaceted, so we can meet them where they are.
Resilience at the Centre
When asked what inspires her every day, Maren didn’t hesitate at all: It’s the youth she gets to work with.
“Even when they’re going through really hard times, they keep showing up, doing the work, and supporting each other.”
That strength is what inspires all of us here at Friends of Ruby: The young people who walk through our doors, who are determined to build meaningful lives that reflect who they are.
A Message to Our Supporters
What does Maren want you to know? A simple fact: That we are here. Every day. Doing our best.
“I want our supporters to know that the frontline workers at Friends of Ruby are doing their very best every single day. We’re proud to do this work and to walk alongside these incredible young people.”
World Mental Health Day reminded us why this work matters so deeply, and why we’re so grateful for you. It is with you, and the support and care of staff like Maren, that youth are provided with tools they can use to build strong futures. Thank you for standing with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and believing in their strength.