100% Peer Led and Delivered
Face 2 Face with Stigma
Face 2 Face with Stigma is an anti-stigma workshop that is inspired, led, developed, and delivered entirely by people with lived experience of substance use, mental health disorders and homelessness. Together, we use our powerful stories to inspire empathy and compassion, educate and reduce fear in the community.
44
Number of Workshops
700+
Number of Participants
Conferences Presented At
Audience (to date)
Request a Workshop
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Kay Martin
Office: 250-370-1516
Cellphone: 250 580-2751
Email: kmartin@victoriahomelessness.ca
Participant Package
F2F’s Healthy Language Guidelines
Meet our Team
Kay
Hello, my name is Kay Martin and I am the Voices of Experience Coordinator for the Greater Victoria Coalition to end Homelessness.
In my role, I lead and facilitate an anti-stigma program called Face 2 Face with Stigma. I also, coordinate my organization’s Speakers Bureau. More importantly, I am a substance user in recovery, I live with several mental health diagnosis and I have experienced homelessness. All of this has led and enabled me to do the work I do in the community today. I have lived in Victoria for about 15 years and have built relationships with those in all parts of my community.
I am here to amplify the voice of all those who are living in the fringe and shadows of society due to stigma.
Leonard
Hello my name is Leonard, my Indian name is Quart.whey.Tun.
I have lived experiences with homelessness, stigma, discrimination. I am a residential school survivor from the Sixties Scoop as a direct result of a tragic event in which a very close family member died. That was my mother. I have also spent time in prison. My whole life has been institutionalized. I really like being a sounding board and telling my own side of the story of lived and living experience. As a direct result of public forum speeches, I have been able to get a better understanding, support, comfort and positive reactions. Which is what I always needed.
Jessica
Jessica Stepushyn is an artist and retired nurse living and working in Greater Victoria Area.
They have lived experience with mental illness, homelessness, and stigma, and actively works towards improving the lives of peoples with this issue. When they aren’t working on social justice, you can find them painting in an open field, or strumming on the guitar in a sunny park meadow.
Darrin
Having “lived experience” concerning homelessness and substance misuse, I strive to empower myself by enlightening others.
The power of storytelling never ceases to amaze me. I believe that society is better served by being connected to marginalized and disenfranchised persons. Shedding light on the dark issues brings people together fostering inclusive community
Tracy
Hello, my name is Tracy and I am a storyteller for the Greater Victoria Coalition to End homelessness.
I am directly involved in a program called Face 2 Face with Stigma.
This program allows me to use my life experiences of drug use, mental health and homelessness to name a few as a way to touch people in an attempt to end the us and them mentality in our community.
I have been fortunate to aid those who live with stigma.
And I hope I can continue to do that for as long as I can.
Herb
Hi, I am Herb the third.
I am a man with lived and living experience of many topics such as trauma, drug addiction, penitentiary incarceration, violence, abuse. Iam a full time, single father and am experiencing the negative bias that goes with all that.
Today, I am a happy, go lucky, father in recovery who is willing to share multiple sides of my story to the public in hopes that people can understand what a lifetime of stigma can do to a person.
Most of all, I want to show that no matter how far down the rabbit hole someone can go, it is still possible to change and rewrite their lives to one of positive purpose and meaning.
Face 2 Face with Stigma Photo Gallery
In Memorium
In Crisis?:
If you require urgent emotional support, including having thoughts of suicide and other mental health issues, please call Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888.
Youth (under 25 years of age) may access youthspace.ca for online emotional support.
For other resources, including shelter availability, visit bc211.ca
