Spectrum Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community Space
| Founded | Established 2012 (Incorporated 2013) |
|---|---|
| Type | Charitable organization |
| 850960576RR0001 | |
| Location | |
Area served | Waterloo Region |
Employees | 2 |
Volunteers | 30 |
| Website | ourspectrum.com |
Formerly called | Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition Community Space |
Spectrum, or Spectrum Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space, is a registered charity and community centre for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Waterloo Region.
Mission
Spectrum is an organization that serves, affirms, and supports the well-being of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals in Waterloo Region and the broader community through peer support, community partnerships, education and training, resources, and events.[1]
Vision
An inclusive community where all 2SLGBTQ+ individuals are welcomed, celebrated, and supported as their authentic selves.[2]
History
Spectrum was developed after community conversations held by Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Coalition in 2011 identified the need for a physical space for the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It first opened its doors as the Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition Community Space on August 7, 2012 at 42 Erb St E. Waterloo, Ontario.[3] The grand opening was held on September 30, 2012 and various dignitaries were present, including Peter Braid (MP for Kitchener-Waterloo), Ken Seiling (Regional Chair of Waterloo Region), Carl Zehr (Mayor of Kitchener), and Jeff Henry (Councillor City of Waterloo). [4]
At the February 12, 2013 meeting of the Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition (WRRC), a vote was taken in favour of spinning the Community Space off as an autonomous body. Volunteers for the Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition Community Space re-branded it as SPECTRUM Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community Space.[5]
On August 13, 2013 Spectrum was incorporated as a not-for-profit Ontario corporation in the province of Ontario.[6]
On May 15, 2015 Spectrum moved to its current location on Duke Street in Kitchener, Ontario.[7]
On January 18, 2018 Spectrum received notice that the Canada Revenue Agency had approved its request for charitable status (backdated to August 1, 2017).[8]
Programs and community services
Spectrum offers over 30 different groups and activities each month. These fall into four categories.
Peer support groups
Spectrum’s peer support groups include:
- 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Group (for ages 18-25)
- 2SLGBTQIA+ Young Adults Group (for ages 25-40)
- Ace Space (for asexual and/or aromantic people)
- Beyond the Binary peer support group (for those who do not identify within the gender binary)
- Rainbow Newcomers Connect
- Spectrum Prime (for ages 50+)
- Transgender peer support group
- Transmasculine peer support group
- Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Circle[9]
Social/recreational programs
Spectrum’s social/recreational programming includes:
- 2SLGBTQIA+ Book Club
- 2SLGBTQIA+ Multi-Sport Drop-In
- Converse and Connect
- day5games
- Queer Craft Circle
- Rainbow Family Drop-In (for families with children aged 0-6)
- Rainbow Film Club
- Saturday Drop-Ins
- Spectrum Outings[10]
Resources
The resources Spectrum provides include:[11]
- Gender Neutral Washroom Map of Waterloo Region
- Lending library of books and movies
- Rainbow Pages Directory of 2SLGBTQIA+ owned businesses
- Trans and Gender Diverse Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Toolkit[12]
- TransNAV GPS directory of transgender services
Services
In partnership with the OK2BME program at KW Counselling Services Spectrum provides mental health counselling for 2SLGBTQIA+ adults. Spectrum offers education and training in 2SLGBTQIA+ cultural competency through their Rainbow Diversity Training program.[13]
Community Involvement and activism
Each year in December, Spectrum hosts a Celebration of Chosen Family for 2SLGBTQIA+ people who might not be welcome in their families of origin over the holidays.[14]
In 2021 Spectrum worked with Wisdom2Action to create a Trans and Gender Diverse Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention Toolkit.[15]
In June of 2021 Spectrum worked with partners to host a variety of Pride month events.[16]
In December of 2021 Spectrum looked back at its first year with paid employees.[17]
See also
References
- ↑ "ourspectrum.com". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "ourspectrum.com". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "grand-river-rainbow-historical-project". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "grand-river-rainbow-historical-project". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "grand-river-rainbow-historical-project". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "grand-river-rainbow-historical-project". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "grand-river-rainbow-historical-project". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "grand-river-rainbow-historical-project". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "spectrum-groups". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "spectrum-groups". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "spectrum-resources". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "trans-and-gender-diverse-mental-wellness-and-suicide-prevention-toolkit" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "spectrum-services". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "rejected-by-their-families-lgbtq-adults-create-new-family-within-their-circle-of-friends". 27 December 2018. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "spectrum-develop-mental-health-suicide-prevention-tool-kit". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "7-virtual-events-to-celebrate-pride". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ↑ "a-year-at-spectrum-what-the-team-has-done-is-nothing-short-of-extraordinary". 21 December 2021. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
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