Rainbow Connections invites youth who identify under the 2SLGBTQIA+ umbrella (2-spirited, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual ++) to join an engaging leadership program where they have the chance to share their stories, connect with other 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in the network, and have fun, all while supporting the New Mentality Network.
Connection. Advocacy. Empowerment
About the Program
The Rainbow Connections Youth Leadership program is designed to support, foster connectivity and community for youth while encouraging mental health advocacy in a way that centers 2SLGBTQIA+ youth voices. We recruit 10 awesome 2SLGBTQIA+ youth (ages 13–24). We will virtually meet every other week. The group starts May 14, 2025. The last meet up will be a celebration of our work on September 3.
Benefits:
- It’s FREE!
- CMHO Certificate of Completion, recognizing your contribution
- Participant Honorium: $100
- Connect with other 2SLGBTQIA+ youth
- Explore the links between queerness & mental health
- Create change by leading a project to educate the wider community and stakeholders
What do we do?
- Share stories & ideas in a safe, affirming space
- Discuss how your identity shapes mental health—and vice versa
- Explore how systems (like healthcare or schools) support—or fail—2SLGBTQIA+ youth
- Design & lead a project that can educate the wider community on how to support queer youth with mental health
Why Should I Join?
- Build community with like-minded peers
- Grow leadership & advocacy skills
- Create real tools to educate the wider community and stakeholders (guides, poems, or other resources!)
Leave your mark on mental health support for queer youth
How does it work?
Virtual (Zoom) | 1.5 hours meetings | 2 meetings/month
May thru September 2025.
We use interactive tools (like Miro, discussion boards, and creative activities) to keep it engaging, collaborative, and fun!
HOSTING TEAM
The Rainbow Connections program is hosted by TNM Facilitators Raine (They/Them) and Cath Dyer (She/Her). Youth Advisors, Murphy (He/they) and Casey (They/Them).
Raine Sparling
Raine Sparling (They/Them) is the founder and coordinator of Rainbow Connections, a 2SLGBTQIA+ youth mental health leadership program. Having worked and volunteered in facilitation for 8 years, they have a passion for genuine youth engagement and using storytelling as a way to create connection and change. As someone with a background in community development and engagement at the grassroots and organizational levels, Raine centres community, justice, and connection in all that they do. Throughout their career Raine has worked in food justice, youth programming, mental health, sustainability, and currently does facilitation, accessibility, and 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion work with organizations. They are a firm believer that the first step in creating change is by daring to do our work differently and actively creating the communities we dream of being part of.
Cath Dyer
Catherine (Cath) Dyer, CFRE, MBA
A lifelong advocate for youth mental health, Cath founded The New Mentality (serving as Program Manager from 2007-2014) and was the first Director of Development of Stella’s Place, Toronto’s innovative young adult mental health centre, where she served until 2023. Currently pursuing her PhD at Trent University, she researches how lived experience can transform mental health systems while consulting with nonprofits on sustainable fundraising strategies. At the heart of her work? Amplifying youth voices – particularly 2SLGBTQIA+ perspectives – to create more inclusive mental health supports.
Fun Fact: When not working to change systems, you’ll find her on the meditation cushion logging serious dharma hours. (She believes healing happens both in stillness and togetherness!)
Murphy-Issac Boyse
Murphy-Issac Boyse (they/he) began their queer advocacy journey shortly before their public “coming out” in 2016. Now, at 25 years old, Murphy-Issac has a wide variety of lived experience having shown up as a keen observer, cautious participant, and fiercely loyal host to many different queer events. From organizing TDOR (Trans Day of Rememberance) vigils, to week long Pride celebrations, or simply hosting space weekly for Queer Youth to gather safely free of judgement, Murphy-Issac feels most fulfilled when they are surrounded by their Queer Community.
Casey Wren Kauenhofen
Casey Wren Kauenhofen (they/them) has been involved in youth mental health advocacy and 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy for the past 6 years, where they are a strong voice in conversations about mental health, well-being, queerness, and disability. Through their participation and leadership in the Rainbow Connections program, Casey has had a journey of growth, learning, joy, and connection, even becoming an amateur queer historian along the way. They are also studying topics related to health, well-being, and gender, and sexuality in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community through their master’s at Western University. Driven by passion and love for their community, Casey is dedicated to creating affirming, accessible, and connected spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Please note that our organization does not directly provide mental health services.
To find a Children’s Mental Health Centre near you, click here.
If you are in a crisis, please call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.
OUR HEADQUARTERS
2305 - 180 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1Z8