73 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T V O L . 2
Opening Minds
Through Books
Leo Pendergast
L
eo Pendergast wanted to
contribute to the open-
mindedness and education of
Francophone children in Prince Edward
Island, which is why he organized a project
that focused on the purchase of over 200
books. He specifically purchased books
that covered subject matter that was
pertinent to the LGBTQ+ community,
including trans identity, self-acceptance,
and different types of families.
This was part of a larger province-wide
youth-led initiative to promote queer
history and education for children in
French-language schools. Leo and his
team knew that in giving these books
to schools and libraries, they would
be shaping the minds of a whole new
generation of Francophone youth to be
more inclusive in all that they do.
"Our biggest success was being able to
place these books in classrooms all over
the province," he said. "It was truly moving
to see a new generation of children will
grow up seeing the LGBTQ+ community
normalized, and part of their social
education. To us, it's about them having
what we did not as children: Support and
knowledge."
To us, it's about them
having what we did not
as children: Support
and knowledge.
An article from
Radio-Canada
talking about Leo's
book distribution!
A special thank you to GRIS Acadie
and Jeunesse acadienne et francophone
de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard (JAFLIPE) for
sharing the #RisingYouth grant opportunity
with Leo to make this project possible.
