Friends of Ruby

Friends of Ruby We provide comprehensive and progressive support to LGBTQI2S youth well-being through housing and soc E., Lower Level. E.

The Friends of Ruby Centre provides programs and counselling services to support the needs of vulnerable LGBTQI2S youth at our drop-in centre located at 489 Queen St. The Friends of Ruby Home, a new LGBTQI2S transitional housing facility exclusively dedicated to serving homeless LGBTQI2S youth, aged 16 to 29, will complete construction and open in 2020 at 257 Dundas St.

We’re hiring!Join our team and help support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth through life-affirming programs, housing, and mental health...
05/28/2026

We’re hiring!

Join our team and help support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth through life-affirming programs, housing, and mental health services. At Friends of Ruby, every role contributes to building safer spaces, stronger communities, and brighter futures.

We’re currently looking for:
• Housing Supervisor, Transitional Housing

If you’re passionate about equity, community care, and meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now at friendsofruby.ca
Share with someone who should be part of this work.

Led by guest artist educator Jai Fowler, youth will learn the basics of wire wrapping and create their own wearable art ...
05/27/2026

Led by guest artist educator Jai Fowler, youth will learn the basics of wire wrapping and create their own wearable art headband.

In collaboration with Friends of Ruby, Thrive’s Toronto team is hosting a creative, hands-on workshop for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth ages 16–29. 🌈

Together, we’ll explore what it means to be CONFIDENT, CAPABLE, and CONNECTED through colour, pattern, and shared stories. 🤝

Led by guest artist educator Jai Fowler (they/them) — a q***r artist and advocate with Q***r Momentum, and creator behind Jai Crystal Jewels + Goth Doll — youth will learn the basics of wire wrapping and create their own wearable art headband. 👑

This flexible, youth-centered workshop is rooted in themes of growth and renewal, offering space to explore creativity in a supportive, affirming environment. 🌱

✨ Open to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 16–29
📍 70 Richmond Street East, Suite 100

Link is in our bio to register!

***rYouth
***rJoy

Pride Month programming is here at the Friends of Ruby Youth Centre.This June, join us for a month of creativity, commun...
05/27/2026

Pride Month programming is here at the Friends of Ruby Youth Centre.

This June, join us for a month of creativity, community, connection, movement, learning, storytelling, self-expression, and celebration. From Trans Talk, Pride tee-making, poetry workshops, and movie nights to self-defense workshops, games nights, collaborative art spaces, and Pride History Jeopardy — there’s something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking to build community, explore new skills, access support, or simply spend time in an affirming space, we’re excited to welcome you.

Programs include:
• Movie Mondays
• Back Talk Poetry Program
• Trans Talk
• Pride Tee Making
• Intro to Wire Wrapping: Creating Wearable Art with
• Games Night
• Craft Corner Workshops
• Self-Defense & Consent Workshops with &
• Co-Working Cafés
• LEGO Workshops
• Song Decoder
• Pride History Jeopardy
• Drop-In Case Management
…and so much more throughout the month.

Check out our June calendar for full program details, dates, and times.

✨ Open to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 16–29
📍 70 Richmond Street East, Suite 100

***rYouth ***rJoy

Thank you to our community for your patience and understanding this past week.The Friends of Ruby Youth Centre will offi...
05/14/2026

Thank you to our community for your patience and understanding this past week.

The Friends of Ruby Youth Centre will officially reopen on Tuesday, May 19th, and we are so excited to welcome youth back into the space.

We know how important consistent access to community, support, and welcoming spaces is for the 2SLGBTQIA+ young people we serve, and we appreciate everyone’s understanding while this temporary closure was resolved.

We look forward to reconnecting, rebuilding routine, and continuing the work together next week.

See you soon.

Today is Red Dress Day — the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit ...
05/05/2026

Today is Red Dress Day — the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S).

Red dresses are displayed to represent those who are missing and those whose lives were taken through ongoing, identity-based violence.

This is not only history — it reflects ongoing harm rooted in colonialism, systemic violence, and lack of accountability.

At Friends of Ruby, we recognize that many Indigenous Two-Spirit and Indigiq***r youth come to us carrying the impacts of this harm.

Our responsibility is not only to acknowledge this, but to ensure our spaces are grounded in care, belonging, and accountability — and to continue examining how we show up within the systems we are part of.
We stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities today and always.

May is here, and our Youth Centre is full of opportunities to connect, create, and just be 🌼Join us all month long for d...
05/04/2026

May is here, and our Youth Centre is full of opportunities to connect, create, and just be 🌼

Join us all month long for drop-in programming designed for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 16–29. From creative workshops and conversations to movie afternoons, skill-building sessions, and community care — each week offers something new to explore.

Whether you’re looking to try something different, build connections, or spend time in a supportive, affirming space, you’re always welcome here.

Swipe through to see what’s happening each week in May and plan your visits. No registration required — just drop in.

📍 Friends of Ruby Youth Centre
🧠 Programs, community, and support in a safer, affirming space
🧺 Laundry available daily during Youth Centre hours

✨ Open to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 16–29
📍 489 Queen St. East, 101

***rYouth ***rJoy

Your body. Your power. Join us for Boundaries, Consent and the ABC’s of Self Defence, delivered in collaboration with De...
04/28/2026

Your body. Your power. Join us for Boundaries, Consent and the ABC’s of Self Defence, delivered in collaboration with De Santos Martial Arts and Planned Parenthood Toronto, designed specifically for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. This trauma-informed movement and self-defense program for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth is officially underway — and there’s still time to join.

This isn’t just about physical defense. It’s about building awareness, confidence, and a stronger connection to your body in a space grounded in care and consent.

Together, we’re exploring:
• Physical movement and self-defense skills
• Consent education and boundary-setting
• Socio-emotional learning and self-awareness
• Confidence-building in an affirming community

Upcoming Sessions:
May 15th, May 29th, June 12th
Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Drop-In Space

Participants who attend all remaining sessions will still receive a graduation gift to celebrate their commitment and growth.

Spots are limited.
Register at the link in bio.

💜 Free & open to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth ages 16–29
👉 See you at the Youth Centre!

Making Cents of it All 💸A 4-part workshop series designed to help you build real-life money skills that actually work. F...
04/23/2026

Making Cents of it All 💸A 4-part workshop series designed to help you build real-life money skills that actually work. From grocery shopping to budgeting, benefits, and healthcare access — we’re breaking down practical tools and resources to support your financial well-being. Whether you’re learning something new or sharing your own tips, this space is for you.

Swipe through to explore each session 👉🏾

🗓 Series Line-Up:
• May 6 – Grocery Shopping Tips
Learn how to save at checkout with price matching, couponing, rewards programs & more

• May 13 – Budgeting 101
Build a budget, manage debt, and understand credit basics

• May 20 – Disability Benefits & Supports
Explore programs like DTC, ODSP, RDSP & the Canada Disability Benefit

• May 27 – Canadian Dental Care Plan
Understand eligibility + how to apply

📍 All sessions run 5:00–6:30 PM
Light snacks + TTC tokens provided

👥 Who can join?
2SLGBTQIA+ youth (16–29) registered with Friends of Ruby
(Not registered yet? You can sign up in person!)

🔗 Register for programs on Eventbrite (links in bio)
Thank you for their support of this program!

Bullying doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes it’s exclusion, isolation, or feeling unsafe being yourself. For many 2SLGB...
04/08/2026

Bullying doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes it’s exclusion, isolation, or feeling unsafe being yourself. For many 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, these experiences are part of everyday life — and they can have lasting impacts on mental health, confidence, and belonging.

This is why welcoming, affirming spaces matter. Every conversation, every supportive service, and every welcoming environment helps shift the narrative from surviving to thriving.

This Pink Shirt Day, take a moment to reflect on how you show up — and how we can all contribute to safer communities for youth.

Learn more about how Friends of Ruby supports 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and how you can be part of creating belonging. Link in bio.

Friends of Ruby — April Skills-Based Programs 💛🛠️Build confidence, develop practical skills, and explore your creativity...
04/01/2026

Friends of Ruby — April Skills-Based Programs 💛🛠️Build confidence, develop practical skills, and explore your creativity through hands-on workshops this April. These programs offer supportive, low-pressure spaces to learn, try new things, and grow at your own pace at 70 Richmond Street East.

☕ E&E Co-Working Café: Parallel Play Mondays — April 6, 13, 20 & 27 | 1:00–3:00 PM
Looking for a calm space to work on goals, art, or tasks you’ve been putting off? Join us for a quiet co-working environment where you can focus, sip coffee or tea, and be productive alongside others.

👗 Expressing Yourself: Design Workshop — Wednesday, April 29 | 1:00–3:00 PM
Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression. Join us for a group discussion exploring personal style, identity, and creativity through clothing and design.

🍝 Delicious in Drop-In: Pasta Primavera — Wednesday, April 15 | 3:00–5:00 PM
Celebrate the shift into spring by cooking pasta primavera together. Learn simple culinary skills while enjoying a warm, welcoming space — gluten-free and vegan options available.

Address

489 Queen Street East, Lower Level
Toronto, ON
M5A1W7

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 11am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 11am - 6:30pm
Thursday 11am - 6:30pm
Friday 12:30pm - 6:30pm

Telephone

+14163590237

Website

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