The Green Room Youth Program

At the age of ten, Rabia* and her family left Canada, and moved to a non-English speaking country. There, Rabia grew up struggling to learn a new language, understand a new culture, and find herself as a Canadian Muslim. A decade after leaving Canada, Rabia returned to pursue her post-secondary education at the University of Alberta, but was met with many challenges and obstacles. She felt confused and alone. She was uncertain of her purpose, and unable to reconcile the many identities she carried. Often, Rabia felt that she had to juggle and wear different masks, just to fit into the situations and places she found herself in. Exhausted and frustrated, Rabia felt lost as she tried to find some place to belong. In late 2017, Rabia was introduced to The Green Room through a friend. She attended the open house for the new space, and from there, she joined the Leadership Team. Through The Green Room, Rabia began meeting and interacting with many diverse Muslims who all come together to celebrate their differences and support one another. The program provided her the welcoming and safe space she was seeking for so long. Over the past year, Rabia learned how to navigate life as a young Muslim woman with multiple intersectional identities. She learned that she was not alone in her struggles. She learned how to embrace her challenges. And perhaps most importantly, Rabia finally felt at peace with herself. 
*NAME CHANGED FOR CONFIDENTIALITY 
The Green Room is IFSSA’s youth programming initiative. The program seeks to create an open and safe space for Edmonton’s youth (ages 16-24) to foster meaningful connections, personal growth, and service to the community. 

The Green Room functions as a youth program. Youth are able to access the space to socialize, study, de-stress, seek help, and participate in weekly events. The Green Room is located in downtown Edmonton at the IslamicFamily Hüb (#2-786, 10545 108 Street).

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GREEN ROOM 
VISIT THE YOUTH WEBSITE HERE

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