My Spectrum journey began in 2013 when Jim Parrott reached out to me to ask if I would be interested in volunteering with Waterloo Region’s new Rainbow Community Space. I said “yes” and I became Spectrum’s volunteer librarian before joining the Board of Directors in 2014-2015. I was deeply grateful to become one of Spectrum’s first paid employees at the end of 2020 when we received a large capacity-building grant that would change our trajectory as an organization.

Four years later, we now have five full-time employees and approximately 40 part-time casual employees. We have grown from a small, volunteer-run organization to what our auditors call a “going concern” with paid staff and a governance Board. In fact, Spectrum is one of very few 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations in Southern Ontario to have paid staff. I consider this a huge success and I love that we have grown enough to start being an employer of choice for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Waterloo Region.

In terms of programs, our 2019 annual report highlighted five peer support and discussion groups. We now have 13 such groups that hold about 25 meetings each month. In 2019, we had three social/recreational programs.  We now have 15, with about 50 sessions each month. We started tracking numbers of program participants in 2022 and those numbers have more than doubled from 3,188 to 6,810. We’re now having a larger positive impact on more 2SLGBTQIA+ people in our community than ever before.

With respect to budget, in 2020 we had revenue of $48,210. This was largely from municipal grants which were the backbone of our operations for a decade. Our latest audited financials show a revenue of $606,565. We have built a successful fundraising program and individuals and businesses have seen the impact of our work and helped us to increase our capacity through their generous donations. We have also diversified our grant revenue. We now apply for and receive funding from all levels of government as well as a variety of private and family foundations, and our partners at Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF). WRCF also holds our Rainbow Community Fund – an endowment fund that will help Spectrum be financially stable into the future.

These numbers are only one way to measure our impact and success. I think a more important measure is the feedback and comments from our program participants and personnel. I always say that the “Why” of Spectrum is belonging. Belonging is at the heart of everything we do. Our programs are places where 2SLGBTQIA+ people can build community and chosen family – and they do! The wordcloud below is made up of feedback from participants about what they feel are the best parts of our programs.

I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to steward Spectrum these past few years. It’s truly been an honour to lead a 2SLGBTQIA+ organization when there are so few of them in Ontario. It’s also been a privilege to receive feedback from our participants and community members about the impact Spectrum has had on their lives. I’m so proud to have built the amazing staff team we have now. This is a wonderful group of community leaders who are making a positive difference in Waterloo Region every day.

I’d like to thank everyone in the Spectrum Family for their dedication and work. I’d also like to thank all of our community partners for their generous support of the organization and of me. We could not have accomplished all we have without working as the tremendous team we are.

I’m confident that Spectrum is in good hands with Suzie Taka as our next ED and I look forward to seeing what’s next for this organization that I love.

We’re excited to announce that Spectrum’s new Executive Director is Suzie Taka (she/her)!

Suzie Taka has been a dedicated community organizer and 2SLGBTQIA+ advocate in Waterloo Region for over a decade. She has extensive experience in the non-profit and public sectors, most recently as part of the Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team at the Region of Waterloo. Suzie brings a strong background in stakeholder and government relations, community engagement, communications, public policy, and grant writing.

Her personal projects include producing multiple years of Rainbow Reels Queer and Trans Film Festival and co-founding LOL—KW’s first queer and feminist monthly stand-up comedy show. Suzie also served on Spectrum’s Board of Directors from October 20, 2019 – July 18, 2021.

She applies an anti-oppressive lens to her work and is committed to community building rooted in anti-racism and Truth and Reconciliation. Outside of work, you can find her biking with her wife and their five-year-old and twin two-year-olds, browsing a thrift store, or refinishing furniture. 

Our outgoing Executive Director, Scott Williams, will work with Suzie for a few weeks to help ensure a smooth transition.

From Suzie

I am incredibly excited to step into the role of Executive Director at Spectrum, an organization I deeply believe in. As a queer person who has lived, worked, and built connections in Waterloo Region for over two decades, I have witnessed—and personally benefited from—the many supports, services, and resources Spectrum offers. It has been a privilege to watch Spectrum grow from a dream—a seed planted in this community—that has now taken root and flourished, thanks to the passion and dedication of so many.

I have been, and will continue to be, a strong advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities through an approach rooted in decolonization, anti-racism, and intersectionality. Despite the ongoing harm and setbacks our communities face, I believe in a future with more inclusion, belonging, and less hate. I look forward to nurturing what has been cultivated and fostering new growth as we continue building a vibrant and thriving space for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.