The Safe space initiative by Empower’em is a peer support based project aimed to tackle Mental Health concerns for young self-identifying Muslim women of colour in the Ottawa Gatineau region (unceded Algonquin Territory). Our project hopes to help explore the difficulties that come with dealing with mental health using a peer support model. We are focused on creating a non-judgemental environment which welcomes and encourage newcomers, refugees, women with disabilities, non-binary folks, LGBTQ+ Muslims and allies to participate in our sessions.

Our team is composed of 9 young self-identifying Muslims who speak a total of 10 languages combined (English, French, Bangla, Hindi, Urdu, Somali, Kabyle, Arabic, Spanish, and Korean) allowing for you to connect with and converse in any of the languages mentioned above.

The project will run from June – December 2019. Each month will generally focus on a certain topic (TBD) allowing for us to discuss its impacts on our lives. Participants are encouraged to only share what they are comfortable sharing.

Each month will typically follow the general structure below:

• Safe Discussion spaces (1st and 3rd week of the month)
• Activity based therapy session (2nd week of the month)
• Educational workshops (4th week of the month) – open to Allies (Adults, Parents and Non-Muslims)

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