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U of A psychology student Veronica “Ronnie” Varewny is helping bring the CHEW Project’s life-changing support to 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Calgary. (Photo: Supplied)

A welcoming place for queer and trans youth is taking root in Calgary, thanks to the leadership of the and the grassroots spirit of the CHEW Project’s Edmonton team.

The Community, Health, Empowerment & Wellness (CHEW) Project — part of the Fyrefly Institute in the ����ֱ��’s Faculty of Education — has long been a lifeline for 2SLGBTQ+ youth facing barriers like houselessness, food insecurity, mental health challenges and more. Now, thanks to seed funding from the Calgary Foundation, that same model of hope and safety is being extended to youth in Calgary.

“We started by spending a year on the ground listening to youth in Calgary — hearing what they needed, who they trusted and how we could help,” says Glynnis Lieb, executive director of the Fyrefly Institute. “Our goal is to recreate what has made CHEW so successful in Edmonton: a safe, affirming, family-like space where queer and trans youth can access support without judgment.”

The Calgary site currently offers street outreach, harm-reduction supplies, clothing, referrals and food, with a day shelter model planned in the coming year. That next step will require further funding and community support. In Edmonton, the CHEW Project now serves up to 50 youth a day, offering everything from warm meals and showers to mental health care and individual goal-setting. It has only been possible through donor generosity — and the Calgary expansion will be no different.

Psychology student Veronica “Ronnie” Varewny is one of many young people who have been transformed by CHEW’s community model. She first connected with the project during a practicum placement in 2022 and never left.

“I remember walking home after my first debrief with the team and just crying because I couldn’t believe how much they actually cared,” says Varewny, who now helps with the Calgary chapter. “CHEW feels like a warm hug. It’s family."

Varewny says CHEW not only changed her perspective as a queer youth who once lacked support, but also gave her an invaluable student experience — connecting classroom theory with real-world insight. “The classroom gave me the language,” she says, “but CHEW gave me the understanding."

Varewny’s experience is a powerful example of the student learning opportunities made possible through philanthropy. Her hands-on work with CHEW reflects the kind of real-world, community-based learning that Shape the Future — the ����ֱ��’s bold fundraising campaign — aims to expand for all students.

Stories like Varewny’s show the ripple effect of philanthropy: when donors invest in programs like CHEW, they don’t just support the youth accessing services — they also empower the next generation of community leaders.

The Calgary chapter is still growing, and support from donors will be key to realizing its full potential. “We’re already seeing the need,” says Lieb. “Now we want to offer more — a consistent space, daily programming, even basic things like a hot meal or a place to do laundry. These are small acts that make a massive difference.”

For those inspired by the project’s work in Calgary and beyond, it’s a perfect chance to connect with the CHEW family — and be part of something hopeful, affirming, and urgently needed.