The PEERS Alliance is hosting its Roots and Shoots program today, March 17, 2026, at the Summerside Rotary Library in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. This event provides a dedicated space for families with transgender or gender-diverse children to find support and community.
The program is split into two parts to help different family members. Parents and caregivers, called the Roots, meet to share resources and talk, while children under 13, known as the Shoots, participate in supervised activities.
During the session, the Sierra Club PEI Wild Child leads outdoor programming for the children. This allows the younger participants to play and connect with others their age in a welcoming environment.
At the same time, the Summerside Rainbow Youth Club is available for older youth between the ages of 12 and 18. This ensures that siblings and older children have their own space to meet during the same evening.
This initiative was first started in 2019 through a partnership between the PEERS Alliance, Pride P.E.I., and the P.E.I. Transgender Network. The goal of the program is to offer a non-judgmental place where families can get the tools they need to support their children.
