Skipping Stone

As we continue the celebration of Pride and the launch of LOVED. Ruby Slipper Kombucha, we connected with the wonderful people at Skipping Stone. Skipping Stone is located in the heart of Calgary and contributes so much to the community. The amazing people there work endlessly to connect trans and gender diverse youth, adults, and families with comprehensive and low barrier access to the support they need and deserve. As part of our LOVED. initiative, Wild Tea Kombucha is donating 100% of the profits to Skipping Stone. LOVED. Ruby Slipper Kombucha was created in collaboration with Mr. Fab (Ryan Massel) for the 3rd year in a row (you can read more about Ruby Slipper and Ryan’s incredible journey here) and is available to purchase here! We were able to connect with Lindsay, Executive Director and Founder of Skipping Stone, to connect about her amazing story and the history of Skipping Stone:

When folks ask about me, I start my sharing that before anything else, I am first and foremost the mother to three incredible children: Ace, Elliot & Hamish, so I guess it should come as no surprise that for when I talk about everything behind Skipping Stone that, for me, it all starts with Ace. Ace is my eldest son and he is transgender.

When he was 14 years old, Ace changed our world in more beautiful ways that I could imagine when he came out to me and his family. We were all hugely supportive and committed to helping him thrive however we could. Little did I know however what a challenge that was going to be for us, not because of Ace, but because everyone I reached out to, including his school, his therapist, and his doctors were unable to offer us any sort of support or guidance, even regardless of their desire to do so. We were left to stumble and struggle on our own. That’s what made Ace being trans difficult and scary and isolating.

Being able to witness and experience the joy of having a trans kiddo in my family, that’s perfect. It’s trans and gender diverse kiddos, and adults and families having to navigate a world that isn’t set up to accommodate them and that doesn’t make space for them that is the problem and what continues to cause trauma and harm to so many of our friends, families, and community members.

It was with the goal of tearing down these barriers for trans and gender diverse youth, adults and families, and of simplifying and clarifying access to systems and services they need and deserve, and to surround them with a supportive, empowering and loving community that Skipping Stone was created. Now, 6 years later, the seed of that idea has grown into fully realized comprehensive care model through the tireless work of an amazing team that includes community team members, peer mentors and coaches, social workers, mental health and health care professionals, and more, who work collaboratively to empower and support youth, adults and families in achieving their goals and thriving in their lives.

I’m so proud to say that as a result since our inception we have provided life changing support to over 10,000 families across Alberta and I know myself and our whole team here feel so grateful every day to get to be a part of this amazing organization that is a wonderful example of the power we have as individuals and as a community to actively and positively change the narrative in the world around us when we work together. Together we are better. Always.

Wishing you all a very happy Pride season!

With love and gratitude,

Lindsay Peace

Executive Director & Founder Skipping Stone