Our Story

Our Mission

Joy as Resistance exists to increase radically inclusive, supportive spaces for queer youth. We do this by offering individualized mental health services and mentorship, and by equipping educators, families, and community partners with services and strategies to implement in every space occupied by LGBTQIA2+ youth.

Our Vision

Joy as Resistance envisions a world where LGBTQIA2+ youth feel essential, celebrated, and equipped to live their authentic lives.

Our Story

Joy as Resistance was founded with and for Denver’s queer community. Founder and Executive Director, Bre Dovez, has dedicated their career to supporting the mental, emotional, and physical health of Colorado’s young people. As a middle school social worker for three years prior to founding Joy as Resistance, Bre noticed a gap in mental health services, queer-inclusive school policies and practices, and supportive communities for LGBTQIA2+ youth. Queer youth are resilient, joyful, and inspirational members of society, and deserve affordable, accessible, and affirming resources as they grow and develop. 

  Joy as Resistance supports queer young people by equipping youth with mental health services that highlight resiliency and healing skills. These services include individualized counseling and groups via a hybrid of service methods, and mentorship through our program, Big Queer, Little Queer. We also offer professional development, consultation, and individualized support to K-12 schools and nonprofits to improve organizations’ inclusive practices. Each of these offerings equips educators, administrators, parents, and trusted adults of LGBTQIA2+ youth with services and strategies to implement in every space occupied by queer youth. 

 In each of our three pillars of services, we increase resiliency and connection skills, hope, and joy for queer youth in Colorado.