speqtrum Programming
Weekly Check-Ins
Our weekly Check-In program helps us stay connected with youth who attended our in person programming before COVID-19, and lets us make new connections with 2S-LGBTQIA+ youth throughout COVID-19.
We know that it’s hard to reach out, so Check-Ins put the responsibility of reaching out on us! We message you once a week, to “check-in” with you about how you’re doing. During Check-Ins we can chat, listen, provide peer and emotional support, help to problem-solve around issues you’re experiencing, and connect you with other resources in the community.
How does it work?
We offer Check-Ins by messaging on Facebook or Instagram, or by email. If you’re getting Check-Ins on Facebook or Instagram, we’ll be messaging you from a specific speqtrum account created for check-ins.
Check-In Sign Up
Peer Support
As a part of our online programming during COVID-19, we are running online Peer Support sessions for 2S-LGBTQIA+ youth in Hamilton each week. These are open hours when speqtrum staff are available online to chat with you!
If you're new to speqtrum and looking for resources, or a way to connect with other 2S-LGBTQIA+ youth, this is a great time to message us. We are happy to chat, answer questions, discuss our programming, provide peer and emotional support, and connect you with resources in the community. (Note: we cannot offer counselling or crisis intervention).
Peer Support hours are also open to youth in our Check-In program. If you're getting weekly Check-Ins, you can message us during Peer Support hours for extra chatting and support.
How does it work?
During Peer Support hours, speqtrum staff are available on our Facebook and on Instagram, just shoot us a message to get started! If you'd like Peer Support and don't use either of those platforms, send us an email at info@speqtrum.ca.
Check out our events page to see when we're running Peer Support each week! You are always welcome to message us outside of those hours, and we will respond as we are able.
Online Events
During COVID-19, we are running free online events to help our community stay connected! We host a variety of events, from craft nights to educational events! Do you have an event idea? Send us an email to let us know what it is.
If you are questioning your sexual orientation or gender, aren’t sure if you are considered a part of the 2S-LGBTQIA+ community, or don’t see your identity reflected in the acronym that we’re using, you are still 100% welcome at our events! We firmly believe in supporting ALL youth under the rainbow, and we don’t draw lines about whose identity counts, and whose does not.
However, some of our events are closed to certain communities within the 2S-LGBTQIA+ community (e.g. QTBIPOC youth, 2S-LGBTQIA+ youth who are new to Canada) to create safer spaces.
Event listings will include who events are open to, but if you're not sure if an event is open to you, message us on social media or email us.
How does it work?
Take a look at our events page to see what upcoming events we have. You can also keep up with events by following us on Instagram and Facebook.
If an event requires a link to access (e.g. Zoom) complete the event registration form (using an email you check!) on our events page or send us a message on social media to get the link.