For Us, By Us
speqtrum is a youth-founded and youth-focused skill-sharing and community building program for 2S-LGBTQIA+ young people in Hamilton, ON.
We aim to build community among 2S-LGBTQIA+ youth by offering a variety of programs and supports. We provide online one-on-one support through weekly Check-Ins and Peer Support, where speqtrum team members support youth through different challenges in life. We also provide community-building opportunities through group events and skill sharing workshops that help our community build capacity and advocate for change
Recognizing we all have different interests, abilities, and comfort levels, speqtrum creates a variety of spaces to meet other like-minded 2S-LGBTQIA+ folks.​
Mission and Mandate
Recognizing the need for 2S-LGBTQIA+ youth community development and ownership, speqtrum will be developing a mission statement with the guidance of youth, peers, and elders in the future.
Our current mandate is to support the growth and development of 2S-LGBTQIA+ youth (17-29) and their communities through two meetups each month and workshops investing in the skills and organizing capacity of our city's queer and trans youth.
Our goal is that Hamilton's 2S-LGBTQIA+ youth will form and maintain healthy, close relationships with their peers and community.
Meet the Team
Jyss
Pronouns: They/She
Role: Lead Coordinator, Co-Founder
Loves: My dog Wally, tech and tinkering, MMA, too much YouTube
Work Interests: mentorship, advocacy, collective power
Noura
Pronouns: She/Her
Role: 2S-LGBTQIA+ Newcomer Youth Support Worker-YWCA Join Programs
Loves: plants, community, gaming, bellydance
Work Interests: finding creative ways communities can care for each other, exchanging skills and knowledge that build community capacity
Nira
Pronouns: She/They
Role: Check In Program Coordinator
Loves: my cats, crocheting, making earrings, taking care of my plants
Work Interests: working with and creating safe(r) spaces for QTBIPOC youth