Our Commitment to Inclusion, Equity, and Respectful Partnerships
Green Mind’s foundation is built on the understanding that climate action and mental health equity are inseparable. We recognize that the impacts of the climate crisis are not experienced equally, and that systems of oppression, colonialism, racism, ableism, and classism continue to shape whose voices are heard, whose needs are met, and whose wellbeing is prioritized. Our approach to engagement, outreach, and programming is intentionally rooted in equity, anti-oppressive practice, and cultural safety.
We prioritize working with and for youth who have been historically excluded from mainstream environmental and health initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to: Indigenous youth, Black and racialized youth, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, youth with disabilities or chronic illnesses, youth from low-income households, rural and remote communities, and refugee or newcomer youth. Our programming is co-developed with these communities, and we strive to adapt our materials, facilitation styles, and outreach to reflect their realities.
We are particularly committed to building respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations. We recognize the deep and unique relationships that Indigenous Peoples have with the land and water, and we honor that these relationships pre-date and transcend Western frameworks of environmentalism. Where possible, we partner with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous educators to co-create content, ensure cultural protocols are upheld, and promote intergenerational learning. These partnerships are built on trust, reciprocity, and long-term commitment not one-time engagements.
How Do We Measure Our Impact?
At Green Mind, we understand that meaningful impact cannot be captured by numbers alone. Our work is rooted in relationships, emotional transformation, and collective healing and we believe the truest measure of success is how youth feel after engaging with us: more grounded, more connected, and more hopeful.
We approach evaluation as a process of reflection, learning, and accountability not as a box to check. Each of our workshops includes opportunities for participants to share anonymous reflections on what they learned, how they felt during the session, and what they might carry forward into their lives and communities. These responses help us understand the emotional resonance of our programming and guide us in adapting our content to be more relevant, accessible, and affirming.
For schools, camps, and community partners, we provide tailored impact summaries that include key themes, participant feedback, and culturally grounded recommendations for future engagement. These reports are created with care and intention and can be used to inform mental health strategies, equity initiatives, and climate education planning.
Our storytelling and mentorship programs also include feedback loops that center the voices of youth contributors. We regularly invite them to co-design evaluation tools, share ideas for program growth, and help shape how Green Mind evolves. This youth-driven approach ensures that our work remains responsive to real-world needs and experiences.
Youth Safeguarding and Ethical Practices
Green Mind upholds the highest standards of youth protection and ethical engagement across all areas of our work. Whether we are facilitating a school workshop, coordinating volunteers, or publishing youth stories, we take seriously our responsibility to ensure safety, privacy, and psychological wellbeing.
All facilitators and volunteers working directly with youth under the age of 18 undergo:
● A thorough onboarding process with trauma-informed care and anti-oppressive practice training
● Reference checks and, when applicable, vulnerable sector screenings
● Ongoing mentorship and debrief opportunities to ensure emotional support and reflective practice
For content submissions or storytelling platforms, we provide:
● Clear contributor guidelines, age-appropriate consent forms, and the option to remain anonymous
● A review process to ensure content is safe for contributors and audiences alike
● The ability for youth to withdraw or modify their submissions at any time
We also avoid extractive or triggering storytelling practices. We do not ask for personal trauma stories and instead center resilience, reflection, and agency. Our team is trained to recognize signs of distress and offer appropriate referrals when needed.
If you have questions about our safeguarding policies or would like to view our youth protection protocols, please contact us, we’re happy to provide further information.