Spectrum is grateful to be receiving a grant from the Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund that will help us to hire a full-time Fundraising and Events Coordinator for 2024-2026.
You can read more about the Upstream Fund and the impacts it is having in the community in their most recent Yearbook.
Spectrum is grateful to be receiving a grant from the Waterloo Region Community Fund and the Janice and Robert Deutschmann Family Fund held at Waterloo Region Community Foundation.
With these funds, Spectrum will provide five 2SLGBTQIA+ peer support and discussion groups to help participants connect with each other and create a sense of belonging and well-being. The funds will allow us to pay the co-facilitators of these groups for their important work.
Ace & Aro Space is an existing group for people who identify as asexual and/or aromantic. Ace and Aro people are often invisible in both 2SLGBTQIA+ spaces and mainstream spaces because of the assumption that all people experience attraction. This has become an important group for Spectrum, giving Ace and Aro folks a place to belong and call their own.
Spectrum on the Spectrum is an existing group for people who identify as queer and trans and autistic. This was developed over the course of a year in partnership with Waterloo Region Family Network. We conducted community conversations and research which revealed a need for this group because such a high number of queer and trans people also identify as neurodiverse and sometimes struggle to participate in our regular peer support groups.
Bi & Pan Space is an existing group for people who are bisexual or pansexual. Bi and Pan people often experience erasure in both 2SLGBTQIA+ spaces and mainstream spaces. Especially if they are in a hetero-presenting relationship, bi and pan folks tend to be seen as “not queer enough” for 2SLGBTQIA+ spaces but “not straight enough” for mainstream spaces. This group started this year after many requests.
The Queer Women group is a new group for anyone who identifies as a woman and queer. Often, women do not feel completely comfortable in groups with men or masculine folks and they have been requesting a space of their own. This will be the first Spectrum program exclusively for women.
The Fabulous 40s groups is also new. We have a group for young adults aged 25-40, and a group for older adults aged 50+, but people in their 40s have not been
well-served. We have received frequent requests for a group like this.
Find the job postings for these co-facilitator positions on our employment page.
Special thanks to Waterloo Region Community Foundation and their Fundholders for their support of 2SLGBTQIA+ programs in our community.
We’d like to thank the Kitchener Sports Association for a grant of $3,500 that will allow us to purchase sports equipment for our 2SLGBTQIA+ Multi-Sport Drop-In!
The Multi-Sport Drop-In is totally free and is run out of the Downtown Community Centre and Stanley Park Community Centre in Kitchener. Each week we play a variety of sports like badminton, pickleball, volleyball, and basketball. From time to time we invite guest coaches for special events like Muay Thai and yoga.
Almost every participant that comes, comes because they want to meet other queer folks and move in a space exclusively for queer folks. Participants are at all levels and abilities. We have some people who are brand new to sports, while others are trying out for national sports teams. We’ve created a space that allows all abilities to play and have fun.
We’re also starting a Queer Run Club! Stay tuned for details.
A $61,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation will help Spectrum Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space to build its resilience and sustainability by engaging expertise from The Fundraising Lab to improve its fundraising capabilities.
“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will be long-term,” said Scott Williams, Executive Director of Spectrum. “Spectrum has grown and transformed considerably in the past three years, but at this stage we need assistance to improve our fundraising practices.”
This grant allows Spectrum to contract with The Fundraising Lab. Founder and CEO, Cathy Mann, has a wealth of experience in the charitable sector spanning more than three decades. The Fundraising Lab will conduct a database, systems and process review and also work with Spectrum to craft meaningful messaging that can be used to attract more donors. Cathy says, “we’re excited to be able to work with Spectrum to help them become a more sustainable organization.”
Spectrum provides more than 30 different groups and events for 2SLGBTQIA+ people across Waterloo Region each month. These include peer support groups for newcomers, older adults, and transgender people, a monthly circle for Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people, and a variety of recreational programs including a Multi-Sport Drop-In that takes place at three different community centres across the region. They also have new programming for 2SLGBTQIA+ children aged 4-12 that is delivered in partnership with all four library systems.
“We’re doing more than we have ever done before,” says Williams, “and we do it without any annualized government funding. We rely on generous donations from individuals and businesses in the community, and on grants that we apply for to make our work possible.”
As Spectrum does more, they need more space, more resources, and funds to pay more employees. They currently have 51 active volunteers and three full-time employees. The organization will look to increase their fundraising revenues so they can better serve 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Waterloo Region.
Founded in 2012, SPECTRUM offers over 30 different groups and activities each month. SPECTRUM is an organization that serves, affirms, and supports the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Waterloo Region and the broader community through peer support, community partnerships, education and training, resources, and events.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Since April 2022, we have been partnering with the Stanley Park Community Centre to offer the 2SLGBTQIA+ Multi-Sport Drop-In on Saturdays. This program has run seasonally with short breaks of a few weeks between sessions. It’s been extremely successful with up to 20 participants attending each week.
As announced earlier this month, we have received a grant from Sport Canada to expand this program and conduct a robust evaluation of it in partnership with the Faculty of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University. We will now be able to offer a second Multi-Sport Drop-In on Saturday afternoons at the Downtown Community Centre in Kitchener. We hope that participants in these sessions will help us by completing evaluation surveys. This grant also includes funds that will allow us to provide Rainbow Diversity Training to as many as 200 City of Kitchener employees who work with the community centres.
In our ongoing efforts to provide more programming in Cambridge, we have partnered with Kinbridge Community Association to run a third Multi-Sport Drop-In on Saturday afternoons in Cambridge!
Spectrum is very grateful to our partners at the City of Kitchener community centres, Kinbridge Community Association, and Wilfrid Laurier University for helping us make this programming possible. We are also grateful to Sport Canada for recognizing the importance of creating opportunities for 2SLGBTQIA+ people to participate in sports and recreation.
Please Note: Though these Drop-Ins take place on most Saturdays, they do not take place EVERY Saturday. Please be sure to check our calendar for details.
We are pleased to share that Spectrum is receiving a two-year Children’s Initiatives grant from the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation to create programming for 2SLGBTQIA+ children aged 4-12!
With the Youth Under the Rainbow program, we will be partnering with Kitchener Public Library, Waterloo Public Library, Idea Exchange, Region of Waterloo Library, and Artshine to provide storytime and craft programing for 2SLGBTQIA+ children across Waterloo Region.
The grant of $152,493 over two years will allow us to hire a program coordinator to lead this work in the new year. You can view the posting here.
We are extremely grateful to the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation for their generous support!
In January of 2021, SPECTRUM embarked on Project Excelsior, a landmark capacity-expanding project, which was made possible by a generous grant from the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund. This project was envisioned and planned by our former ED, Jim Parrott, and former Trans Services Coordinator Melissa Kennedy, who spearheaded the grant application process to secure a transformational grant of $279,782.
Thanks to that grant, the Project Excelsior team as well as SPECTRUM’s volunteers, Board, and community partners have made incredible strides to expand our ability to affirm and support the well-being of 2SLGBTQ+ people in Waterloo Region.
From August 2020 – July 2021, SPECTRUM had:
In addition, we’ve added seven new programs to our roster, including:
And we’re not finished yet! We know there is still a need for programming for Black, Indigenous, and racialized people, programming for people with underrepresented genders and orientations, and programming for children, parents, and families. We’re currently working with consultants from local Black and Asian communities to help us understand the needs of those communities and how we can create programming and spaces that are accessible and relevant for them.
The SPECTRUM team has also worked hard to create and launch the following resources for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and their allies in 2021:
And, just wait until we welcome you back to our new physical space which is more than double the size and will be decorated with a mural by Trisha Abe…
We’ve accomplished so much this past year, but there’s so much more than needs to be done! We hope that you’ll include SPECTRUM in your year-end giving to help us continue to keep our doors open and to allow us to provide programs and services that have been life-saving for some members of our community.
Thanks to a grant from the Kitchener Waterloo Community Fund and the Uvaro Community Fund, SPECTRUM is proud to be able to present a series of new social groups for 2SLGBTQ+ adults at no cost to participants!
Earlier this year, we conducted a series of surveys to learn more about what people like about our programs and services, and where people felt there were gaps. The feedback we received helped us hone in on a few key areas for new programming. These new groups will be run as pilots for one year. During that time, we’ll collect feedback from the participants to help us decide whether we should continue to run them going forward.
In partnership with Waterloo Public Library, the 2SLGBTQ+ Book Club will give participants the opportunity to discuss books by 2SLGBTQ+ authors, or books that explore 2SLGBTQ+ experiences. We will usually meet on the last Monday of each month at 7pm at the Main Library (35 Albert St, Waterloo, ON N2L 5E2). We have pre-selected books for the first four months but will be accepting suggestions for future titles from participants.
The first four books:
In order to ensure compliance with COVID protocols participants will need to register in advance to attend. You will be able to do this soon at the WPL website. Watch our social media for updates.
For those who prefer virtual discussions you can join our group on Goodreads.
In partnership with The Branches Yoga, the free 2SLGBTQ+ Yoga Group will meet once per month (on the second or third Sunday depending upon holidays) at The Branches studio. For the first session on September 12th at 7:30pm, participants will gather on the peaceful outdoor deck for a beginner’s level yoga experience with instructor Angela. No previous yoga experience is required and this is a space for EVERY body. This is an exclusive space for 2SLGBTQ+-identified people and trans and non-binary folks are especially encouraged to join us.
The Branches Yoga is located close to downtown Kitchener at 9 Samuel St, Kitchener, ON N2H 1N9, one block from the intersection of Frederick and Lancaster.
(Please note that the space is not yet wheelchair accessible, though there are plans to install a ramp to the front door. The main floor practice space is five steps up from street level. We apologize for this lack of accessibility.)
In order to ensure compliance with COVID protocols participants will need to register in advance to attend. You will be able to do this soon at https://thebranchesyoga.com. Watch our social media for updates.
This free group will meet once per month. Participants will explore self-care and connection to community through movement with facilitator, Joscelyn Guindon RDMT (qualifying) MSW RSW.
This group will explore movement and dance, and how we can connect with others and with ourselves in an open and meaningful way. Participants will use movement and dance to support being present and exploring new ways to move more freely, while also focusing on having fun and enjoying dance together. This group is for EVERY body. It is trans and non-binary affirming. There is no technique or dance experience needed.
In order to ensure compliance with COVID protocols participants will need to register in advance to attend. You will be able to do this soon on our website. Watch our social media for updates.
In partnership with Button Factory Arts, we are pleased to offer Queer Craft Circle. This free group will meet monthly on Zoom to create crafts with local artists. Explore a variety of artistic mediums in this fun and casual group. We will meet on the last Friday of every month from 5:30-7:30pm. All supplies are included and will be ready for pickup at Button Factory Arts (25 Regina St S, Waterloo, ON N2J 1R8) before meetups. Registration is limited to 10 participants per group and is limited to 2SLGBTQ+-identified people in Waterloo Region. Registration will be open soon at buttonfactoryarts.ca. Our first circle will meet on Friday September 24th at 5:30pm.
This free group for 2SLGBTQ+ young professionals aged 25-40 will meet once per month at a restaurant in Waterloo Region. Participants will enjoy a free meal (not including alcoholic beverages) and the opportunity to network and socialize with other young 2SLGBTQ+ adults. The restaurant will be announced in advance and you will need to register to attend. Space will be limited! Our first meeting will take place at Waterloo Brewing on September 24th from 6-8pm. Registration will open soon.
Thanks to a generous grant from the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund that has allowed us to engage in a year-long capacity-building project, SPECTRUM has been able to complete a re-brand that speaks to some of the changes we’ve made to the organization this year and the direction we are working towards.
Our Project Excelsior team worked with The Public studio, a community-centered, social justice design studio, to develop a new logo and brand standards. The new logo speaks to the way SPECTRUM provides 2SLGBTQ+ communities with a space for refuge, which in turn, leads to both personal and political growth, to challenging conversations, and, with time, a more joyful world.
In the new logo, we see the idea of “space” and “refuge” represented by a rainbow form. As letterforms move toward this space, we see them coming to life. We are introduced to a sense of playfulness, optimism, joy, and resiliency. This concept also allows space to explore the dichotomies in this work, namely, the joyful, playful, unapologetic ways of being within the space, alongside the professionalism needed to speak truth to power and advocate on behalf of our communities in the more public sphere.
The goal was to prioritize the concepts of potentiality, transformation, protection, and growth. We explore the rainbow as a visual cue for both safety and refuge (internal) and celebration and joy (outward).
The colours we chose and the number of “bars” in the rainbow are intentional. In moving away from the “standard” six colours of the Pride flag, we leave room for places of growth, alternative understandings of who’s included here, and attention to the roots of queer liberation and where these movements come from. In the colour palette, we have colours that still run adjacent to the six-colour flag, as well as warm browns and pinks that aren’t necessarily desaturated versions of the other colours, but are colours in their own right.
We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with The Public on this re-brand. Their team spent a lot of time getting to know SPECTRUM and its people, the ways we work, our history, and our future goals. We believe the new logo does an excellent job of identifying SPECTRUM as an organization.
As we move forward, we’d also like to reflect on our history and thank Eric Chengyang, Thane Robyn, and the late Thom Ryan who created the previous versions of our logo. Eric Chengyang designed our first logo back in February 2013. In September 2015, the logo was cleaned up by Thane Robyn, who separated the textual sub-title of our name (part of our full legal name) from the graphic itself. In June 2016, Thom Ryan modified the image still further by changing the cursive subtitle to a san-serif all-caps version for readability.
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We are also excited to be launching our new website designed by our Marketing & Development Coordinator, Ash Kreider. The new site was designed with care taken to respond to feedback that SPECTRUM has received over the last year or so, including thoughts shared by the community in various surveys and focus groups we conducted earlier this year. The new site is accessible, easy to navigate, faster to load, and is designed to reflect the new brand standards created by The Public.
We already have a list of additional changes in the works. These will be implemented throughout the rest of the year. We hope you’ll enjoy using the new site and celebrating our new brand identity with us.
We are calling for artists to paint a mural on a wall in SPECTRUM’s newly expanded space!
Thanks to a grant from the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund and our federal capacity-building funding, SPECTRUM is proud to be able to engage a local artist to create a mural for our newly expanded space.
We are especially interested in proposals from Black and Indigenous artists in Waterloo Region who have lived experience as a member of LGBTQ2+ communities.
We are looking for proposals that explore intersectionality of identities, and the vibrancy of LGBTQ2+ culture.
An image of the mural will be used to create postcards, stickers, and t-shirts that will be sold to celebrate SPECTRUM’s 10th anniversary in 2022. The proceeds of sales of these items will be divided between SPECTRUM and the artist. This revenue will go towards the ongoing rent and maintenance of SPECTRUM’s space to ensure that we continue to be able to provide a welcoming space for years to come.
Please send submissions to info@ourspectrum.com
Subject Line: Mural Proposal
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