‘Zine and Heard’: Interview with Penny Frazier

Zine and Heard is a monthly zine based in Edmonton, founded and run by Penny Frazier. The zine focuses on highlighting the struggles and stories of youth from within the foster care system. 

With the zine recently releasing its 28th issue, The Gateway sat down with Frazier to chat about the project and its impact on local youth who have been or are currently in foster care. 

Frazier said the goal of the zine is to recognize those who’ve been in the foster care system, and raise awareness. “It’s not something most people know a lot about, unless they work in the field. So the goal is to honour those stories,” Frazier added.

In 2020, Frazier was the lead editor on a project called YOUTH IN CARE CHRONICLES: Reflections On Growing Up in the Child Welfare System. This book tells the stories of 18 Albertan youths who were in, or are in, the foster care system. After its release, Frazier wanted to keep telling these stories, giving these youths representation and a voice. 

Frazier said that what led her to the zine format overall was its accessibility. The zine is free online, available in local stores like Local 124, and people can easily submit their stories. Alongside this, the zine being independent allows for them to “say whatever [they] want.” 

“It’s affirming to know that their story is important,” Frazier says

There are often full pages calling the Government of Alberta to make or reject changes to the foster care system. For example, the most recent issue’s last page is a poem that calls for the age cap for youths in care to be raised. 

The political calls for action and opinions are open to all who are from care. In this way, the zine platforms youth from the system to collectively voice their opinions and concerns about legislation. 

Frazier accounts how she put out a call for opinions on Bill-38 for the recent March release, Issue #26. 

“I got eight pages of comments from former youth in care. [Issue #26] made it all the way to the legislature,” Frazier said. “They held nothing back, and it was painful to read how people felt about Bill-38. That’s the power of this zine.”

Frazier said the zine has been greatly positive for people from care. “It’s affirming to know that their story is important and that people care that they made it through the storm. The number one reason people share their story is because they want it to help other people.”

The zine fosters a sense of community among people from the system, Frazier said. This is very prevalent in the most recent issue, which focuses on skateboarding. 

“It was the only place in the world that they felt they belonged,” Frazier says

The recent May issue contains interviews with skaters, poems, and even a “recipe for a real good high school skate club,” which has methods for youth to find people to connect with. Skateboarding as a sport is one of the most inclusive spaces for youth, Frazier said. 

When making the first two skateboarding focused issues, Frazier listened to stories from skaters who were or are in care. Frazier learned how big of a deal it was for them, leading a skateboarding issue to become annual. “Skateboarding saved them. It was the only place in the world that they felt they belonged and were accepted as normal human beings.”

Frazier is very thankful to all those who share their stories. She hopes to grow the zine to keep raising awareness for youth in care. “You have to think outside of the policy and procedures manual. Shove it aside and do what you need to reach kids and make them feel like life is worth it.” 

Zine and Heard is free online, or subscribers can pay $10 per individual issue for print.