By now you may recognize the name Jer’s Vision, belonging to an organization whose mandate is to "work to eliminate bullying, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination in schools and youth communities."  It could be the fact that founder Jeremy Dias was recently one of the Grand Marshals of Vancouver Pride and Windsor Pride, or that he has been a recipient of other acclaim, including a nomination for the Teen Choice Award for his humanitarian work. Maybe you have seen his name in Metro, when he was selected amongst thousands of applicants to be the National interviewer of Lady Gaga. Whatever the reason, Jer’s Vision is a visionary force to be reckoned with, and with the introduction of its newest Conference Coordinator, Faye Estrella, it can only get better.

Faye Estrella is no ordinary activist. Estrella’s activism comes from a place that only a child in her circumstances would know. "When I was a kid growing up in Toronto, I loved Anne of Green Gables and Captain Planet equally," states Estrella. "I was also harassed constantly by adults and children alike because they couldn’t tell what gender I was."

Rather than sit down and give in to other people’s ideas of gender conformity, Estrella made sure to work on making it better for those that are also suffering. "While walking down those locker-lined halls, I dreamed of the day when kids like me wouldn’t have to be afraid or ashamed anymore. We would be celebrated, accepted, and loved. It wouldn’t matter what gender and sexuality (or lack thereof) we expressed, and who we fell in love with. I guess I thought of myself as some [kind] of rainbow champion on a unicorn."

In a recent interview with GayCalgary Magazine, Estrella discussed her new position with Jer’s Vision. "I was asked to perform at the Dare to Stand Out Conference [a Jer’s Vision initiative] last year. I was doing some poetry and a spoken word performance and was so moved by what they [Jer’s Vision] were doing."

"I originally applied for the volunteer position as Queer Educator for workshops, but it was brought to my attention that there was a paid position for the Conference Coordinator, so I applied."

And, Estrella, so far is ecstatic about her new position. "It feels like I have been here for months but it has only been a couple of weeks! It has just been amazing. I am so used to grassroots, volunteer work and now I have an actual budget, along with concrete deadlines!"

As for the future, there are many great things that are going on in Jer’s Vision. "I am hoping to take the Dare to Stand Out Conference program all over Canada, so that youth can rally together and be their own champions."

The Dare to Stand Out Campaign "is a series of national conferences, brought to you by Jer’s Vision, that work with youth to address issues surrounding homophobia and transphobia in their schools and communities. The best part is that participants will walk away with tools and resources to take back to their schools and communities!"

In the 2011-2012 season, DTSO had 15 conferences with over 3000 youth attending, along with their teachers in Eastern Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Central Ontario, Northern Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Estrella’s main goal is to have the Conference reach even further, and this can only be done with the help of the public.

"I am working on ... unifying them with all of the conferences, and would like to work with our attendees to choose that theme. I also want to create more effective workshops and services," adds Estrella.

In order to facilitate a conference in your own area, Estrella needs help to secure a venue, and participants. There is a budget for each conference, and delivery of keynote speakers and tonnes of sway and information are all provided by Jer’s Vision.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in planning make sure to give Estrella a call. After all, as they say, "it takes a village."