Ya_All: The Youth Network

Engaging in advocacy since its inception in May 2017 as a Whatsapp group, Ya_All has focused on raising awareness, mobilizing communities, and fostering inclusivity. Through diverse methods such as online campaigns, workshops, film screenings, fashion shows, sports events, and artistic endeavours, it promotes its cause. The organisation's efforts encompass both virtual and physical platforms, emphasizing media outreach and collaboration with various stakeholders to create a meaningful impact in the areas of sensitization, community engagement, and integration.

Capacity building stands at the heart of Ya_All's efforts. A primary goal is enhancing the peer support network among youth and the LGBTI community, enabling them to share knowledge, access resources, and advocate for their rights. The organisation achieves this through comprehensive training and workshops designed to empower adolescents, young individuals, and the queer community. Among the capacity-building initiatives, the Emerging Queer Leaders Project in the North East, Project Seven Sisters, and the North East Peer Support Project stand out, collectively contributing to the strengthening and empowerment of the target groups.

Underpinning Ya All's efforts is its commitment to creating a secure haven. The "Shelter Space," an innovative initiative and India's pioneering co-working and networking establishment managed by queer individuals, serves as a dynamic Resource Hub. Through this space, the organisation delivers invaluable assistance in the form of cost-free peer counselling, peer-to-peer training, capacity enhancement, and advocacy. This comprehensive approach is dedicated to nurturing, enlightening, and emboldening young people while dismantling societal taboos surrounding essential topics like Sexual & Reproductive health and rights, Mental health & well-being, and Drug Use & Harm Reduction for adolescents, youths, and LGBTI/Queer individuals.

Ya All has recently incorporated research as a pivotal element in its initiatives. The organisation places significant emphasis on research as a means to strengthen its programme implementation and service delivery. This strategic approach aims to identify and address various aspects related to health, encompassing physical, mental, and psychological well-being, as well as Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Under this initiative, Ya All is engaged in several research areas, including assessing the health needs of the YLGBTI+ community and YPLHIV in Manipur. Additionally, the organisation is delving into understanding perceptions and attitudes towards Mental Health and Mental illness within the population of Manipur. Through these research efforts, Ya All aims to acquire valuable insights that will further its mission of empowerment and support for adolescents, youths, and the queer community.

Ya All extends crucial crisis support to the LGBTQIA+ community, striving to enhance visibility and protection for this community within society. The organisation focuses on fortifying the crisis support system by establishing short-stay facilities and offering refuge to individuals who have encountered discrimination, violence, or alienation from their homes or community. Through this crisis support centre, exhaustive services are provided, encompassing essential healthcare provisions like HIV testing and emergency medication, alongside mental health counselling, legal assistance, training sessions, events, and a welcoming drop-in centre. Moreover, Ya All has successfully cultivated a peer support network within the community, expanding its reach and comprehending the diverse needs of those it serves.