Tom Connelly (He/Him) is from the US originally and grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia. He went to a small Liberal Arts university in Pennsylvania and got a BA in English Literature. He’s always been an avid reader and still is! He worked in the service industry for a while after he graduated and then worked in publishing doing marketing.

In 2004 he was able to immigrate to Canada with his now ex-husband whose father was Canadian, though he grew up in the US as well. They lived in Toronto for 12 years where Tom worked at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario doing event planning and eventually became the Manager of Stakeholder Relations. In 2016 they bought a house in Waterloo and moved out of the city.

Tom received a diploma in Community and Social Service Management and is currently doing Fund Development for the Alzheimer Society for Waterloo Wellington.

What led you to volunteer at SPECTRUM?

When I moved to KW in 2016 I was looking for ways to get involved in the community and meet people; especially 2SLGBTQI+ people. I found SPECTRUM online and was asked to join the board.

Why is SPECTRUM important to you?

SPECTRUM is important in keeping our community’s voice heard. Not only in government, but also in the wider community. Representation is important and, especially now, when the political and social climate has swung to the right we need be ever vigilant that rights remain in place.

How does volunteering help you develop a sense of belonging or community?

Having a common cause with other members of SPECTRUM and being involved in helping to direct SPECTRUM’s growth with the other board members gives me a great sense of belonging and esprit de corps. I’m always learning from other community members which makes me feel that I’m expanding my communities and appreciate being welcomed into them.

What’s on your playlist right now?

I’m pretty old school and don’t have a playlist, per se, and like a wide variety of genres. I usually alternate between jazz vocalists, especially Ella Fitzgerald, 80s and classic rock, and classical. So much depends on my mood.

Anything else you wish to add?

Come and volunteer with us!! Find our volunteer application here.

Hi! My name is Philip (He/Him) and I am Spectrum’s volunteer librarian! Prior to volunteering with Spectrum I was pursuing a career in academics studying Political Science at Laurier, Waterloo and Western Universities. I have worked in many different places in the past including bartending, front desk at a hotel, assembling computer boards, data processing, and teaching. I am married to my wonderful husband of 11 years and together we enjoy rollercoasters, exploring the world, and getting out hiking and biking.

What led you to volunteer at SPECTRUM?

I volunteered at Spectrum to contribute back to the community and meet new people! So far, it’s working out well!

Why is SPECTRUM important to you?

Growing up there were no real safe spaces for queer folk outside of the local gay bars. Meeting members of the community and making new friends was difficult and could be dangerous. Spectrum provides a safe place for queer people to meet, express themselves, and seek support and community. Having been to the opening of Spectrum so many years ago, I cannot express how proud I am of what it has become today, thanks to the many hours put in by volunteers.

How does volunteering help you develop a sense of belonging or community?

Outside of going to the clubs when I was younger, I never really felt a part of the queer community. Not in the true sense of community at least. Volunteering with Spectrum has helped me develop that sense of belong to a true community and the ability to make new connections. Also, I’ve learned a lot while volunteering at Spectrum about my own community which helps me to better understand and interact with the diverse rainbow that are queer people.

What’s on your playlist right now?

Recently I’ve been listening to some old favourites including Röyksopp, Underworld, and Radiohead.

My name is Troy Dettwiler (he/him) and I value community, nature, and wellbeing. I live in Downtown Kitchener with my partner, Neil Moser, and our dog Derby. My formal post-secondary education includes an Advanced Diploma in Film and Television Production from Humber College, along with Undergraduate courses in Environment, Business, and Communications from University of Waterloo and Athabasca University. My full-time career is an IT Support Specialist with the Waterloo Region District School Board. I’ve also run my own freelance Communications business that included representing major American food companies in Canada, editing podcasts for a company based out of Japan, and providing digital media services for several small-medium sized businesses in Waterloo Region.

Recently I was hired as Spectrum’s Sports Coordinator. In my free time, I love being physically active; you’ll often find me at A.R. Kaufman YMCA, Bluevale’s Calisthenics park, on a trail, or just walking around Kitchener with my partner and dog. When I’m not being active, I enjoy playing board games, cooking, and spending time with friends.

What led you to volunteer at SPECTRUM?

After working and volunteering in high schools, I missed the events, connections, and experiences. I also didn’t have many friends connected to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and I thought building some of these connections might help general feelings of loneliness. Usually I am turned off by social or peer support groups, but the idea of Multi-Sport really got me excited to try it out.

Why is SPECTRUM important to you?

SPECTRUM’s Multi-Sport has become a large part of my social life. I don’t really enjoy late nights, drinking, and partying, so it has helped me connect with new people that have similar values and understand my identity. I feel valued and supported by the organization, staff, volunteers, and participants. I’ve also built new leadership skills and confidence interacting with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

How does volunteering help you develop a sense of belonging or community?

Each week I get to meet and interact with at least one new person. While not everyone comes back week after week, slowly we are building a group of people that enjoy spending time together. More importantly, I have made some great new friends. I often used to feel a need to get away from the city on weekends, but now I am counting down the hours until the next event.

What’s on your playlist right now?

Lately I’ve been enjoying THE DRIVER ERA, Purple Disco Machine, and Winnetka Bowling League.

My name is Jennifer Albu (she/her). Many years ago, I attended York University and got a BA in Computer Science. I have worked in IT throughout my career mostly in database and data warehouse development. Currently I am helping the fortune 100 with their Data Governance Programs.

I have many interests including horseback riding, hiking, reading, cooking, modern board gaming and I am an avid computer gamer (MMO’s & RPG’s). I live in Kitchener and have two grown daughters and three grand children.

What led you to volunteer at SPECTRUM?

I have a friend who knew about SPECTRUM, knew they had a games night and knew I love teaching people board games, so they strongly recommended that I apply.

Why is SPECTRUM important to you?

I am making new friends of all ages all over the 2SLGBTQ+ spectrum. I look forward to every Friday evening.

How does volunteering help you develop a sense of belonging or community?

It always feels good to give to others.

What’s on your playlist right now?

An Irish band called The Corrs “Leave Me Breathless”.

My name is Tyler Herrington, and my pronouns are he/him. I identify as ace-spec and aro-spec, only coming to realize this in the last few years. I moved to the Waterloo Region in 2016 from Vancouver, BC to pursue a PhD related to Arctic climate science, where I have been researching the performance of permafrost soil temperatures in climate models. More specifically, I am interested in how differences in snow cover between models can influence errors in permafrost estimates. Prior to beginning a PhD, I worked as a Lab Instructor/Technician in Geography at a community college in the Vancouver region, and have occasionally taught as a sessional lecturer.

What led you to volunteer at SPECTRUM?
After moving to the Waterloo Region, I joined the KW Ace Space community, which began as a Meetup group in KW, and recently merged with Spectrum in 2021. I had been quite actively involved with the KW Ace Space, and when Spectrum mentioned that they were looking for a co-facilitator for the Ace and Aro Space, I figured that it would be a good chance to become involved in an official capacity!

Why is SPECTRUM important to you?
Spectrum offers a wonderful safe space for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in KW to make use of and has been so instrumental in helping me further explore my aspec identity, and meet others in the community!

How does volunteering help you develop a sense of belonging or community?
As a volunteer, I help co-facilitate the Ace/Aro Space, as well as the Saturday Drop Ins. I have also had the opportunity to help with the Tri-Pride events, and through these programs and events, it has given me the opportunity to get to know so many wonderful members of both the Aspec, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Through co-facilitation of the Ace/Aro Space meetings, I have been consistently learning more about the Ace and Aro communities and have certainly learned more about my own identity as well!

What’s on your playlist right now?

My playlist is a chaotic mix of Metalcore, Folk Metal, and covers of video game music (mostly
from Pokémon and Zelda).