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RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTREA N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6PAGE NO. 9HEALTHCARE:KlinicSteinbach Medical CentreWinnipeg RegionalHealth AuthorityMount Carmel ClinicCATIE HIV ForumProfessional Association forTransgender Health NationalConferenceGOVERNMENT:Department of Aboriginaland Northern AffairsCivic Service CommissionProvince of ManitobaHuman ResourcesManitoba JusticeGovernment of NunavutSOCIAL SERVICES:West Central Women’sResource CentreNdinaweManitoba Employment EquityPractitioners’ AssociationManitoba Association forVolunteer AdministrationChild and Family All NationsCoordinated Response NetworkWinnipeg Child andFamily ServicesWillow PlaceCo-operative HousingFederation of CanadaResource Assistance for YouthEmergency Department ViolenceIntervention ProgramRoyal Canadian Mounted PoliceInterlake Eastman RegionalHealth Authority CrisisStabilization UnitMain Street ProjectSt. Amant CentreAnnual ConferenceRainbow Resource Centre QueerMen’s GroupPRIVATE SECTOR ANDOTHER ORGANIZATIONS:Manitoba Institute ofTrades and TechnologyCentral SlamPride WinnipegCanadian Federation of StudentsGreat West LifeCBC ManitobaThompson Pride North of 55Manitoba Bar AssociationUniversity of ManitobaStudents’ Union(Womyn’s CentreRainbow Pride MosaicUMSU Council)The University of WinnipegStudents’ AssociationEDUCATION:Manitoba Teachers’ SocietySchool Divisions (St. JamesAssiniboia, Evergreen, PembinaTrails, Swan Valley, River EastTranscona, Prairie Rose, Brandon)Donwood Elementary SchoolPrincess MargaretÉcole CentraleCentennial SchoolSpringfield HeightsEdward Schreyer SchoolMacGregor ElementaryPortage Teachers' AssociationMaples CollegiateSargent Park SchoolRobertson CollegeJohn Henderson SchoolLa Vérendrye SchoolSt. James AssiniboiaSchool Division EducationalSupport ServicesStonewall CollegiateSAGEPortage Learning andLiteracy CentreWayoata Elementary SchoolJameswood Alternative SchoolJohn G. Stewart SchoolMargaret Park SchoolLac du Bonnet Senior SchoolAngus McKay SchoolUniversity of ManitobaUniversité de Saint-BonifaceBooth University CollegeRed River College Childand Youth Care Program

RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTREA N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6PAGE NO. 11REPORT ONCAMPAURORACamp Aurora is Manitoba’s LGBT2SQ* youthsummer camp and has been running fornearly ten years! 45 campers aged 14-19,12 Peer Youth Leaders aged 20-26, and awhole team of volunteers and staff trekout to Camp Brereton in the beautifulWhiteshell Provincial Park for a jam packedweek full of fun and excitement. Not onlyare campers engaged in fun, outdooractivities such as canoeing and campfires,they are supported to participate inidentity-affirming, community buildingworkshops. The goal is to provide a safecamp experience for LGBT2SQ* youthtailored to honour their true identity andexpression. Camp provides mentorship andspace to form lasting peer connections.This year in particular was a huge success.A new cabin was opened allowing spacefor 8 more campers and 2 additionalPeer Youth Leaders. Camp welcomed thepresence of Albert McLeod from TwoSpirited People of Manitoba and local artistand Rainbow Resource Centre volunteer,Tim Haughian. Together, they added newprogramming that enriched the overallexperience for youth attendees. Guestspeakers Rune Breckon and Corinne Masonran a session on gender identity andgender exploration. Camp Aurora standardtraditions, our annual Camp Aurora youthdance and Talent Show, once again livenedthings up with great participation.Camp would not be possible withoutthe generous donations provided bycommunity members, Variety: TheChildren’s Charity, support from theRainbow Resource Centre, and the manyvolunteer hours put in by the SteeringCommittee. Each year, evaluation feedbackreminds us of the impact Camp Aurorahas on the lives of youth attendees. Arecurring message from youth about theircamp experience that has emerged inprevious years is that they are able to bethemselves, to make new friends, andleave with many positive memories! Thatand they love the food!For more information about Camp Aurora orhow to donate, visit www.campaurora.ca.

RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTREA N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6PAGE NO. 13REPORT FROMTOTALLYOUTRIGHTTotally Outright is a 4-day sexual healthleadership training program that providesyoung Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, TwoSpirit, and Queer identified men theopportunity to learn skills and makea difference in their community. Eachparticipant completes 16 workshops thatcover topics ranging from sexual healthto relationships, and from activism tode-colonization. Every cohort completesa group work project that engagesthe wider community in some form oflearning opportunity. Past graduates havepioneered the Don’t Let Shame DecideCampaign and conducted their very owncommunity-based research into therural/urban sexual health experiencesof Manitoba men. 2015 saw the thirdcohort of graduates take their knowledgeand skills into the community with ashort film and panel discussion at theReel Pride Film Festival. Their chosentopic was “social dislocation,” emergingfrom group consensus that somethingcould be done to help guys in Winnipegconnect with each other and create thecommunity they wanted to be part of. Thefinal product was a thought provokingand poignant short video that capturedthe experiences of a diverse group ofguys that touched on everything frombody-shaming to sexual racism. Thevideo screening was well attended andthe interactive panel discussion wasthoughtful and enlightening. Today,graduates from all three cohorts havemoved on to volunteer and paid positionsat the Rainbow Resource Centre and othersocial service organizations in Winnipeg-- all with the aim of helping others andmaking communities safer.

RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTREA N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6PAGE NO. 15REPORT FROMCOUNSELLINGA NOTE FROM OURCLINICAL SUPERVISORIt’s been a full year supervising ouramazing counsellors and Peer Projectfor Youth. We have assisted withmany complex situations, diverseindividuals, as well as couples andfamilies seeking RRC support. We tryto focus on individual and group stressreduction and wellness to reduceburnout and vicarious trauma amongRainbow Resource Centre staff. Wealso had the help of an Aurora FamilyTherapy practicum student and hope tohave more partnership with their MMFTprogram at University of Winnipeg tohelp reduce client waitlist and providing a learning opportunity for gradstudents to help LGBT2SQ* clients,their partners, and their families. Wehave also added additional PPY groupsupervision to ensure some of ouryoungest most vulnerable clients getthe support they need. It is an honourto work the staff and clients of RRC.-Tara Sheppard, MMFTLast year the Counselling Programcontinued to provide free and accessible drop-in and short-term sessions.Counselling services in Brandon areprovided by Amanda Trelford housed atthe Sexuality Education Resource Centre.Our counsellors in Winnipeg continue toprovide in-person support to rural andnorthern community members as well asphone counselling and consultation. Thecounselling team provided 188 drop-insessions, and 844 scheduled appointments with 397 unique clients.Over the past year we supported folkswith diverse experiences and identities.Here is just a small snapshot of peoplewe provided counselling to:Parents and family members ofchildren and teensNewcomers to Winnipeg, Manitoba,and CanadaPeople of all ages and walks oflife who were questioning theiridentity, coming out, transitioning,or thinking about itCouples working on their relationship or shared concerns**

RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTREA N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6PAGE NO. 16Individuals from rural Manitobawho commute to the CentreCommunity members with mental health, housing, employment,and financial concernsIndividuals working on healingfrom experiences of trauma,abuse, or lossThe Rainbow Resource Centre’s counselling team is comprised of clinicians withdiverse backgrounds. Melanie Leslie andSarah Dack work with individuals, couples and families providing short-termand ongoing support and advocacy.melanie leslie is a registered SocialWorker and is currently pursuing herMaster’s in Social Work through theUniversity of Manitoba. Melanie lovesworking with clients on everythingfrom practicing mindfulness anddeveloping healthy coping skills toexistential therapy.sarah dack has worked at the Centrefor close to nine years and has a background in Women’s and Gender Studies,Sarah is currently completing herMaster’s in Marriage and Family Therapy(MMFT) through the University of Winni-peg. Sarah is known around the office forher love of working with the littlest clients!Over the past year we have worked withsignificantly more children and familieswhich Sarah is passionate about.dianna grywinski is our Youth Counsellor and Programmer, Dianna providescounselling to youth ages 13-21. Diannahas a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology andWomen’s and Gender Studies and is in theprocessing of completing her Master’s inMarriage and Family Therapy. Dianna has abackground in community mental health,having worked at Klinic Community HealthCentre for many years before joining ourteam. Dianna is grateful for the privilege to work with youth as they use thetherapeutic process to grow into strongand resilient adults. She is constantlyhumbled by their honesty and bravery andappreciates their knowledge and insightinto their own lives and identities.amanda trelford is in the finalstages of becoming a registered socialworker and has completed the bulk of theMasters of Marriage and Family Therapyprogram. She works with clients, youngand old, from Southwestern Manitoba.

RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTREA N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6PAGE NO. 17SUPERVISING THE SUPPORTGROUP FACILITATORSThis year the counsellors began offeringregular and ongoing supervision to thevolunteers that facilitate the socialsupport groups that run regularly at theCentre. The counsellors provide regularfeedback, debriefing and support aswell as quarterly facilitator meetingsand opportunities for ongoing training.We welcomed new volunteers who arerunning BLINK, a support group for gendercreative kids, and PiP, a support groupfor partners of trans* individuals. Thecounsellors are grateful for the excellentwork of these facilitators who make animportant contribution to supportingthe mental health and wellness ofour community.COLLABORATIVE WORKThe counselling program continued towork collaboratively across systems andthis past year saw an increase in advocacy and work with many systems and organizations. The counselling team workedclosely with groups of clinicians, parents,and teachers to support youth transitioning in schools. We have had the pleasureof being a part of multi-disciplinary careteams, helping our client’s access andnavigate mental health services andsystems. We believe in working alongsideour client's care providers to ensure thereis affirmative support at every level.SAME-WEEK APPOINTMENTSHistorically the Centre has offered drop-incounselling on Monday evenings. Over thepast year we made a necessary shift fromthe drop-in model to offering same-weekappointments. This means that clientscan contact the Centre on Monday and beoffered an appointment later in the week.This programming shift has providedbetter access to counselling services forclients in crisis, as well as those on thewaitlist. Same-week appointments havealso provided an opportunity for clients inneed of brief therapy to access serviceswhen they are needed, compared to usingdrop-in or waiting on the waitlist.STATISTICS:188 ONE TIMEAPPOINTMENTSSEXUAL ORIENTATION - 186TRAUMA - 116844 SCHEDULED COMING OUT - 114APPOINTMENTS VIOLENCE - 53EMPLOYMENT - 45ISSUES OUR CLIENTSMSM - 39WERE REPORTING:ADDICTION - 32IDENTITY - 275HOUSING/SHELTER - 24MENTAL HEALTH - 245SAFER SEX - 12GENDER IDENTITY - 238RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE - 10RELATIONSHIP ISSUES - 190SETTLEMENT - 10FAMILY - 187

RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTREA N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6PAGE NO. 19REPORT ONTHE GALAOn Saturday, May 23, 2015, the RainbowResource Centre held its Sixth AnnualSpring Fling Gala! Hosted by Ace Burpeeof 103.1 Virgin Radio, over 400 community members, supporters, and allies werein attendance for a wonderful evening ofSpring Fling food, fun, and an incredibleperformance by Canada’s Queen of R&B,Jully Black, and the spinning sounds ofDJ Roy. This fantastic event raised over 70,000 to support the Centre’s counselling, youth programming, education, andcommunity events.The event was a smashingsuccess and we thank the followingfor all their support:TITLE SPONSOR RBC Royal Bankand RBC Dominion SecuritiesPLATINUM SPONSORS Delta Winnipeg MacDon IndustriesGOLD SPONSORS Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute Lilyfield Cakes MTS Rainbow Pride Mosaic – University of ManitobaSILVER SPONSORS Aboriginal Peoples’ Television Network The Gail Asper Family Foundation Freeman Audio-Visual Frescolio Fine Oils and Vinegars Housefires Design & Illustration Investors Group Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Manitoba Public Insurance Padraig Coaching & Consulting PwC Red River College Wes-Man Mechanical Winnipeg Free Press WOW! Hospitality ConceptsBRONZE SPONSORS Beyond Flowers Manitoba Hydro Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce Perth’s Pollard Family Foundation Manitoba Teachers’ Society MJ Roofing Public Service Alliance of Canada

RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTREA N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6PAGE NO. 21REPORT ONSUPPORTGROUPSNEW PRIDE OF WINNIPEGNew Pride of Winnipeg is completingits 3rd year as a support group fornewcomers who identify as LGBTQ*ages 18 and up. This year the grouphas received many new members fromvarious countries of origin includingChina, Philippines, France, Spain,Bangladesh, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Libya,and India. On average 8-12 people comeeach time. Activities are usually a mix ofgames and discussions simultaneously,such as everyone writing down a facton paper about themselves they wantto share, put into a box, and someonepicks a paper and guesses whose factit belongs to; the original writer thenexplains their fact. Many members enjoydiscussing topics such as coming outstories or sharing their views on datingin Canada, and through these discussionsthey insert their cultural beliefs andpractices while learning about theCanadian aspects. Other activities includeboard games, karaoke, potluck with foodsfrom the members’ cultures, and outingssuch as visiting the Canadian Museum forHuman Rights and the upcoming PrideParade. Members have disclosed thatthey feel safety and acceptance withinthe group where they can be open aboutthemselves and make friends.OVER THE RAINBOWOver the Rainbow, a social group forcommunity members 55 , started inearly December, 2015. Unsure as to justwhat direction we were heading, butknowing we want to be inclusive of ourolder demographic across the spectrum,activities centre around conversation andsharing of a meal or just cookies andcoffee! Our inaugural event was a lunchtime Pot Luck held in the Qube. We’veshared six Coffee & Chats, a couple ofPot Luck dinners, and four dining outactivities both inside and outside theperimeter! Activities have had anywherefrom two to twenty four attendees.We have now settled in to regular gettogethers – Coffee and Chat on first and

16202020152015RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTREA N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6PAGE NO. 22third Thursday mornings of each month,and a pot luck supper on the secondThursday. These are held in the Qube ona drop in basis. Other events of interestto group members are ever evolving. Wecommunicate through emails, Facebookand for those not directly e-connected,we do use a telephone! We want to keepin touch and reassure folks that our groupis welcoming, and a safe place to be.PFFOTIWe have been here so long we have lostcount of the number of years! We arethe fastest growing group at the Centreproviding support to Family and Friendsof Transgender Individuals. We are nowmeeting twice per month, as our numbershave grown and the needs of membershave increased. There have been timeswhen we have had 25 members attenda meeting. Thanks to the RRC for givingus the space and realizing the needs forour group and including us under theirumbrella.QUEER MEN’S GROUPNow in our second year, the Queer Men’sGroup has continued to foster an inclusiveenvironment for Queer men of all ages.We come together and enjoy activitiesranging from movie and game nights,to insightful discussions on issues thatare important to us like STI’s and thechallenges of Queer dating in Winnipeg.Attendance and interest in the grouphas continued to be strong, especiallyfor our group’s favorite activity “20Questions About Love and Sex”! We’re alsoseeing increased involvement from severalmembers of the group and hope to have aCo-Facilitator in the coming months.SOCIETY OF OUT-STANDING ARTISTSSOSA is in its 3rd year now, and doesn’tappear to be slowing down. We started asa venue for community artists to meet,to share and to risk presenting theirwork to the public. Today we havemonthly sessions dealing with anyaspect of art that the group is interestedin experiencing. Emerging artists mixwith experienced artists. Workshopsand field trips are often added to themonthly scheduled events. We havea members exhibition in October anda public seasonal sale in November.Next year, we plan to step outside ourcommunity and introduce our group tothe greater Winnipeg community througha group show at the cre8ery gallery in theExchange District. We are so much morethan an LGBT2SQ art group. We are agroup of creative, welcoming and talentedartists who just happen to be LGBT2SQ and/or allies! (And we are incrediblythankful that the Rainbow ResourceCentre has given us access to our homespace in the Qube!)

0155/20152016/20162016RAINBOW RESOURCE CENTREA N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6PAGE NO. 23REPORT ONYOUTHPROGRAMINGOver the past year, Peer Project forYouth (PPY) continued to grow and offerexciting opportunities for LGBT2SQ* youthcommunities. PPY is open Monday andWednesday evenings to youth ages 13-21and is the only LGBT2SQ* youth programin Winnipeg! Through a variety of programming, PPY provides identity-affirmingeducation that builds capacity, resiliency,and leadership skills, and promotes overall wellbeing and sense of belonging.The Youth Program saw shifts in staffingthis year, with Samara Luprypa fulfillingthe role of Youth Programs Coordinator,Dianna Grywinski remaining in the roleof Youth Counsellor, and Jare

anow eoe ene annua reprt 2015 2016 page no. 1 conen 20152015/20162016 p.03 message from the director p.05 report on strategic planning p.07 report on education programs p.11 report on camp aurora p.13 report from totally outright p.15 report from counselling p.19 report on the gala p.21 report on support groups p.23 report on youth programing p.25 report from the treasurer