The Benefits of Identity-Affirming Spaces for All Youth

Your Course Description

Your Competency Focus Area

Intercultural Engagement

Too many young people grow up without spaces where they feel truly seen and accepted and it can shape the rest of their lives.
In this engaging Interview-Style training, youth worker Bryson and high school student Oliver share how their identity-affirming mentorship connection transforms the way they navigate life, community, and belonging.
Hear real stories, gain practical tips, and walk away ready to create spaces where every young person feels safe, valued, and supported. This conversation will help you develop your empathy and strengthen your skills to be the affirming adult who helps youth thrive by embracing their whole selves.

Your Learning Objectives

Explore how to build and maintain safe, identity-affirming spaces in community
Recognize the value of mentorship connections and relationships
Learn about mentorship traits any youth worker can model in their work with young people
Consider how to ensure inclusive programming for all young people

Your Course Details

Completion Certificate
Youth Worker Track
This training will count as 1 CE hour for most boards. Please contact your board directly with questions on submitting. Course details for CE submissions provided.

Your Trainer

Bryson Dyce is a 38-year-old Queer and Trans man from rural Minnesota. He lives in St. Paul with his fiancée and two step kids. Bryson is a mentor for Queer and Trans youth, and has also worked with Disabled, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind communities. He loves Star Trek, playing the trombone, writing, and cross stitching. Bryson and his mentee, Oliver, have celebrated many transition milestones together, and Bryson looks forward to many more adventures with him.

Oliver Ridley is a 16-year-old from the Twin City suburbs of Minnesota. He’s a transgender and bisexual student at Hopkins High School. Oliver works at a retirement home as a server outside of his time in school. He also enjoys theater, reading, and video games. Oliver met his mentor Bryson around a year and a half ago and they like to go to new places, go for walks, and watch movies.