New and Returning Programs for 2024

It’s the end of March and our calendar for 2024 is filling with a variety of programs and events, both ongoing and in the planning phase.

This month, we wanted to share an outline of everything we’re working on at the moment. We’ve also included information about several community supports and events we think you’ll find interesting.

There’s a lot of information in this month’s newsletter. You can check out the summary below to see a quick overview of all of the programs, and then read on for more details about anything that catches your interest.

Summary of Programs & Events

Sharing Nights

• Transitions (Adult)

• FamilyTransitions (formerly Parents' Sharing Night)

• Young Adults

• Parents of Young Children

• Teens & Tweens

Crafting, Reading, and Games Nights

• Book Clubs (Youth and Adult)

• Rainbow Knots Yarn Group

• Board Game Night

Community Programs & Resources

• DCHC - Gender Journeys

• DCHC - Colours Youth Group 

• DCHC - Gender Affirming Chats

• DCHC - FamilyTRANSformations

• ACDR - Safe Spaces

• ACDR - MSM

Pflag DR Volunteer Opportunities

• Community education, flag raisings, general inquiries, facilitating groups, and more

More Upcoming Events

• Camp Rainbow Phoenix - Call for Volunteers

• Camp Rainbow Phoenix - Registration closes at the end of March

• Durham Pride Prom - Tickets coming soon

• Frisbee Golf Fundraiser

Past Events

• Pride night at the Oshawa Generals

• Durham College Pride Coalition Drag Brunch

• DRPS Youth in Policing Volunteer C.A.N Conference Booth

• Watch our social media for pictures of these events

Trans Day of Visibility - March 31st, 2024

• Pickering Public Library Event - https://cal.pickeringlibrary.ca/event/alphabet-soup-2slgbtqia-101-pflagdr-2094

• DDSB - Flag Raising - March 28th 10 AM - 400 Taunton Rd E

• City of Pickering

• Watch our social media for other events

Sharing Nights

If you’re looking for a way to connect and find support, consider joining us for one of our peer-facilitated sharing nights. We host virtual and in-person programs.

Transitions (Adult)

The transitions group offers a social space for trans & questioning folks aged 16 and older. Transitions runs a monthly virtual meeting and a monthly in-person meeting. There is also a Discord server for Transitions members to further find/build their community.

Join Transitions: Please use this link to contact the Transitions team. You can also connect with the Transitions team at transitions@pflagdurhamregion.com.

FamilyTransitions (formerly Parents’ Sharing Night)

Our sharing group for parents, guardians, and caregivers of trans and non-binary youth and adult children runs on the first Wednesday of each month.

Join FamilyTransitions: Please use the following Zoom link to join our next FamilyTransitions meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86957068465

Sharing Night, North Durham

If you live in North Durham, join us via Zoom on the third Thursday of every month to connect with the North Durham Sharing Night group.

Join Sharing Night North Durham: Please contact us at inquiries@pflagdurhamregion.com to request the Zoom link to our next meeting.

Young Adults - Now Running Online (In Person coming soon)

We will be launching a Young Adults program for folks aged 18-29. If you’re interested in joining this program, please sign up here to get more information once we get started.

Parents of Young Children - COMING SOON

We are currently developing a new program for parents of young children. If you’re interested in this program, please sign up here to get more information when it becomes available.

Teens & Tweens - RETURNING SOON

Our Teens & Tweens group for 10 to 14 year olds who want to get to know their 2SLGBTQI peers, have a safe space to be themselves, and have fun playing games and doing activities will be returning! If you’re interested in this program, please sign up here to get more information when it becomes available.

Crafting, Reading, and Games Nights!

We’re planning several ways to have fun, connect, and learn something new for 2024. If you’d like to join a book club, create fibre arts with us, or get together for a games night, you can use the links below to sign up to receive details as information becomes available for these new programs.

Book Club - COMING SOON

We are planning two book clubs - One for youth 14-17 and one for adults 18+. If you’re interested in this program, please sign up here to get more information when it becomes available.

Rainbow Knots Yarn Group - COMING SOON

Fibre artists of all levels - Embark on a creative journey with our upcoming Rainbow Knots Yarn Group in 2024! If you’d like to join us for knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, cross-stitch, macramé, and sewing, sign up here to get additional information once we launch.

Board Game Night - COMING SOON

Planning is underway for board game night in 2024, and you can be part of the fun! If you would like to be contacted once we know more, please fill out this form.

Community Programs & Resources

While we make changes and develop new programs, please explore some of the resources our community partners are offering for youth and family supports.

DCHC - Gender Journeys

The 9-week Gender Journeys program is a place to explore your gender and connect with others who are also on a gender journey. It is a peer-facilitated program for ages 10-14 and 15+.

For more information: contact anagel@durhamchc.ca or call 905-428-1212 ext. 2239

DCHC - Colours Youth Group

2SLGBTQI Youth in Grade 9 to 12 are invited to join the Colours Program running once a month. The program will be in-person at the DCHC Pickering location and will feature interactive activities!

Food and snacks are available. Registration is required.

To register: contact Sharon at (905) 903-3512 or Alyssa at (905) 723-0036 ext. 3204

DCHC - Gender Affirming Chats

A space where folks that don’t identify with the gender they were assigned at birth or are questioning their gender can connect with each other. This group will alternate between discussion topics, and a social space to play games, do some art and get to know each other.

When? Every other Monday from February 12 to June 17, 2024. Ages 10-15, 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Ages 16+, 7:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m.

Where? Alternating between in person at DCHC Pickering Site (17-1450 Kingston Rd.) and virtual

To register: Contact Declan to schedule a short intake call. Email gendercare@durhamchc.ca. Call or Text: 905 213 1207

Note: When folks are registered for the group they can pick and choose which sessions they’d like to attend.

Specific dates and links to descriptions of each session can be found here.

DCHC - Family TRANSformations

Family TRANSformations is a support and resource group for parents/caregivers of people who identify as trans, non-binary, or gender-expansive. Registration is required.

For more information, contact Jennifer at 905-428-1212, ext. 2229

ACDR - One Voice

One Voice is a collective created to meet the health and social service gaps experienced by queer and trans people of colour aged 13 to 29.

For more information, contact ​Nathan Rhodes-Truppe, Youth Outreach Coordinator at nathaniel@aidsdurham.com or call 905-576-1445 ext 518

Pflag Durham Region Volunteer Opportunities

Join our volunteer team!

We have diverse opportunities for those interested in community education, attending flag raisings, answering general inquiry responses, facilitating groups, and more.

If you're interested in volunteering, please take a moment to complete this form and let us know about how you'd like to play a role in our community initiatives.

More Upcoming Events!

There are even more events in the the works for 2024 including Camp Rainbow Phoenix, Durham Pride Prom, and a disc golf fundraiser!

Camp Rainbow Phoenix - Volunteers

Camp Rainbow Phoenix has been steadily growing each year since 2010 when the first camp took place. Camp started with just 7 campers, eventually outgrew the 40 beds that were available in the original location, and moved to a new, much larger location. Last year, Camp Rainbow Phoenix hosted 72 youth and had a waitlist just as long.

For our 2024 camp, we will be hosting 2 weeks of camp in Ontario: July 21-26, 2024 and August 18-23, 2024.

Adult Volunteers

As we grow our capacity of campers, we are also in need of a larger team of volunteers. Camp volunteers need to be over the age of 21. We are looking for:

• Adult Mentors

• Mental Health Team Members

• Physical Health Team Members

• Activities specialists (Music, Physical Activity, Outdoor Education, etc)

• Site Setup / Teardown

• Registration Booth

• Shuttle Drivers

• And more!

Out of town volunteers may be provided with transportation / accommodations. There will be an interview process and all volunteers must provide a vulnerable sector reference check prior to attending camp.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please visit the Camp Rainbow Phoenix registration page, click the link to apply to volunteer, and complete the application form.

Camp Rainbow Phoenix - Campers

Camp Rainbow Phoenix registration is not yet open, but a new portal is available where you can create a camper profile. This will allow caregivers to begin the process and create an account.

Registration is NOT first come, first served; however, last year we more than filled up in 3 weeks time.

This year, the registration will be open for the month of March. This will allow campers to fully register and allow for the selection committee to process the applications in early April.

To apply for a spot for your camper, please visit the Camp Rainbow Phoenix registration page, click the link to apply for a camper spot, and complete the application form.

Durham Pride Prom

Durham Pride Prom is an inclusive annual celebration for all LGBTQ2S+ youth and their allies aged 16-21. Pride Prom is always extremely popular, and tickets sell out quickly.

Contact Amy N. at anagel@durhamchc.ca for tickets.

Frisbee Golf Fundraiser

Queer Disc Golf is running a fundraiser with proceeds coming to pflag Durham Region to help fund some of our programming. The morning event is a sanctioned disc golf event. The afternoon is a fun doubles event. Follow the link to register. Spots are filling fast so get yours today. https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/A_Spring_Thing_2024

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