A typical summer would see our Rogers offices across the country wrapped in Pride colours. From our brand logo to window decals , and painted front steps – wrapping our physical spaces in the rainbow is a small gesture to show that at Rogers our team members are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, not only during Pride but each and every day
This year, with the country in various states of lockdown and majority of teams working from home, it didn’t feel right to dress up our buildings but instead to put that money into the vital community organizations where it is needed most. In lieu of wrapping our offices in rainbow, our LGBTQ2S+ Employee Resource Group, Spectrum, identified five charities who are making a difference in their community and are in critical need of support.
Hear from our Spectrum team members on why each of the following organizations were chosen and the meaningful connections each one holds:
VANCOUVER, BC: Community-Based Research Centre
Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) promotes the health of gay, bi, trans, Two-Spirit, and queer men (GBT2Q) through research and intervention development. CBRC’s core pillars – community-led research, knowledge exchange, network building, and leadership development – position the organization as a thought leader, transforming ideas into actions that make a difference in our communities.
“As we celebrate Pride at a time when the whole nation is in a shocking awakening to our Indigenous history, we seek to connect with and support the Two-Spirit community and are so glad to partner up with CBRC in their amazing work.”
Eli – Yuan Zhao, Senior Learning Facilitator & Spectrum BC member
OTTAWA, ON: Kind Space
Kind Space is committed to providing Ottawa – located on unceded Algonquin territory – accessible resources, events, social, and educational programming to celebrate and support people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
“We are all missing that feeling of togetherness in these trying times, and that can be felt even more acutely by those in our LGBTQ2S+ community who may have felt isolated before the pandemic. KindSpace offers a physical space where people can be themselves, without pressure or judgement. With things starting to reopen, our Ottawa Spectrum Committee felt that there was an opportunity to give back to a space which provides that connection we all so miss.”
– Kirsten Vogelsang, RSM Account Manager & Spectrum Ottawa Member
MONTREAL, QC: GRIS Montreal
GRIS-Montréal, which stands for Research and Social Intervention Group, is a non-profit community organization that demystifies sexual orientation and gender identity by sharing testimonies of lived experiences. We are a family of more than 250 volunteers working tirelessly to build a more open and accepting society.
“I have known of GRIS Montreal for many years as some of my friends were volunteers in the organization. I have always been impressed by the safe spaces they were offering students to have an open discussion and help demystify LGBTQ2S+. I am glad they were chosen to benefit from that donation to help with their future activities.”
– Jean-Francois Houde, Quality Analyst & Spectrum Montreal Member
CALGARY, AB: Centre for Sexuality
Centre for Sexuality is a nationally recognized, community-based organization delivering programs and services that work to normalize sexuality and sexual health across the lifespan. We have been leading the way in the areas of sexuality, healthy relationships, human rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, equality and consent for more than 40 years in the Calgary community.
“We choose the Centre for Sexuality because they have been leading the way in the areas of sexuality, healthy relationships, human rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, equality and consent for more than 40 years in the Calgary community. They serve more than 40,000 people annually of all ages in the Calgary region. They partner with schools, agencies, community groups and businesses to work together to incorporate healthy sexuality as a basic, but vital, part of human development, community wellness and public policy.”
– Valerie Nieboer, Sales Associate – RSM & Spectrum Prairies Lead
TORONTO, ON: Asian Community Aids Services
Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) is a charitable, non-profit, community-based organization located in Toronto, Canada. We provide safer sex education and services to the East and Southeast Asian communities and support services to persons living with HIV/AIDS and members of the LGBTQ communities.
“ACAS was one of the incredible charities chosen for a Pride Grant, as for over 25 years they have shown deep community leadership in Toronto by both supporting persons from the East & Southeast Asian communities living with HIV/AIDS while also providing incredible youth programming for critical sexual health education for youth, newcomers and adults – removing stigma and creating a safe-space for many- Today, ACAS continues to adapt and grow their services and programming in line with the dynamic needs of the growing communities they serve and do so with great innovation – this grant will make it possible for ACAS to support more folks with key education and counselling services.”
– Andrew Mainprize, Director Marketing Transformation & interimSpectrum Co-Chair
Find out more about Rogers 5-year commitment to Inclusion & Diversity at https://about.rogers.com/life-at-rogers/inclusion-diversity/