GECO Rainbow Connections

GECO Rainbow Connections Rainbow Connections is an organization to support q***r and trans youth in rural SW Ontario. If you are looking for community connection - please contact us.

Rainbow Connections hosts 3 social groups: Q***r Qlub (for those aged 12-18,) Young Adult Social (for those aged 18-30,) and Q***r Adult Social (for those aged 18+.) We also run a Drop-in Hub located at 15 St Catharine Street, 3rd Floor, St Thomas, Ontario. The Hub is open for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults from Monday to Thursday, 2-5 PM.

Rainbow Connections, a project of the Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario, is facing a FUNDING CRISIS, and we need your...
09/04/2026

Rainbow Connections, a project of the Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario, is facing a FUNDING CRISIS, and we need your help!

We serve 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults in St Thomas, Elgin and Middlesex Counties. In rural communities, affirming space is limited. Many young people face isolation, food insecurity, family rejection, and mental health challenges. Without your help, we'll have to close the doors of Elgin County's only Hub for 2SlGBTQIA+ youth. Our programs, Q***r Qlub and Young Adult Social, will have to shut down. Youth in need will no longer have access to our caring cupboard.

WE NEED YOU! Any gift, regardless of size, directly supports the safety, belonging, and stability of the young people we serve. Losing Rainbow Connections would increase crisis, not reduce it. Rainbow Connections is community-built. It must be community-sustained.

If you can help Rainbow Connections, please consider donating today at: https://buy.stripe.com/4gM14o2yv2mR5qv5F953O00

We cannot thank the community enough for their continued support. Together, we can ensure Rainbow Connections remains open and available to the young people who rely on it.

Attention book lovers in St Thomas & surrounding area! Rainbow Connections is hosting a "Pay What You Can" Book Fair Fun...
09/03/2026

Attention book lovers in St Thomas & surrounding area! Rainbow Connections is hosting a "Pay What You Can" Book Fair Fundraiser!

Tuesday, Sept. 29 | 6-8 PM | YWCA St-Thomas Elgin Gymnasium (16 Mary Street West, St Thomas)

Generous members of the community have donated books from a wide variety of genres appropriate for all-ages. Books are for sale on a "Pay what you can" basis with all funds raised going toward Rainbow Connections' "Keep the Lights On" Campaign. We'll also have a small selection of trinkets, games, and movies.

Featuring: Blind Date with a Book Bundles (minimum suggested donation of $10)
Much like a blind date, you don't know what book you'll end up with, but you will know a few keywords describing your date and a pickup line, (a quote from the book.) Each bundle contains bookmarks, stickers, and other surprises! Will you fall in love or will you walk out before the date is over?

Everyone is welcome, and no registration is required.

Rainbow Connections would like to extend a big "Thank you!" to Harrison Pensa LLP Harrison Pensa LLP for their generous ...
09/02/2026

Rainbow Connections would like to extend a big "Thank you!" to Harrison Pensa LLP Harrison Pensa LLP for their generous donation of $1,000 towards our "Keep the Lights On" Campaign!

Rainbow Connections relies on local companies, organizations, and grassroots fundraising for donations to help us keep our lights on, our Downtown Hub open, and our programs running in support of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and adults.

If you'd like to contribute to our "Keep the Lights On" campaign, please message us or donate online at https://buy.stripe.com/4gM14o2yv2mR5qv5F953O00

The latest edition of the GECO Newsletter has been released! Find out what's new with GECO, check out our upcoming event...
09/01/2026

The latest edition of the GECO Newsletter has been released! Find out what's new with GECO, check out our upcoming events and resources, get updated on Rainbow Connections, and more!

https://conta.cc/4y9ZTFB

School starts again soon which can mean an increase in anxiety and stress levels. We have an activity that may help prov...
09/01/2026

School starts again soon which can mean an increase in anxiety and stress levels. We have an activity that may help provoke some calming mindfulness - Zentangles! This form of artwork combines the calming effects of repetition, art, and creativity. All materials are provided for this week's activity. Come be a little more zen with us!

Not part of Q***r Qlub yet? We can't wait for you to join us! Message us and we'll get you started on the sign-up process. (Q***r Qlub is for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 12-18.)

***rQlub ***rYouthCommunity

PLEASE NOTE: The Hub is CLOSED on Thursdays going forward.2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults need a place where they can ...
08/31/2026

PLEASE NOTE: The Hub is CLOSED on Thursdays going forward.

2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults need a place where they can feel like they belong in safety and acceptance. They deserve a place where they can comfortably be themselves. The Rainbow Connections Hub is that safe place.

The Rainbow Connections Hub is located at 15 St Catharine Street, third floor, in Downtown St Thomas. We're open Monday to Wednesday from 2-5 PM. The Hub is an affirming space for q***r, questioning, and trans youth and young adults to stop by, hang out and chat, play a game, grab a snack from the Community Pantry, and collect community resources.

See you at The Hub!

***rCommunity ***rYouth

After building a lifeline for q***r and trans youth and young adults across St Thomas, Elgin and Middlesex counties, Rai...
08/28/2026

After building a lifeline for q***r and trans youth and young adults across St Thomas, Elgin and Middlesex counties, Rainbow Connections is facing an urgent funding shortfall that threatens the future of its community Hub and core programs. Their funding suddenly ended March 31. Without $120,000 in stabilization funding, Rainbow Connections will need to reduce or suspend operations.

To help raise funds and show support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, local businesses and organizations are invited to become “Rainbow Connected” by purchasing a window cling to place in their storefront windows to publicly declare their support as q***r-safe partners. Pricing for the Rainbow Connected window cling is tier-based according to the size of the business or organization. All proceeds help Rainbow Connections keep the lights on at the hub and cover staffing and essential supports.

Message us for more information or to purchase a window cling. We appreciate your support!

Are you a part of St Thomas' 2SLGBTQIA+ Community? Are you 18+? You should join us for Q***r Adult Social TONIGHT! Hang ...
08/27/2026

Are you a part of St Thomas' 2SLGBTQIA+ Community? Are you 18+? You should join us for Q***r Adult Social TONIGHT! Hang out with q***r folks - no registration is required. Just show up for some great conversation, make new friends, play some games, or simply hang out where everyone belongs.

Find us tonight at 16 Mary Street West, YWCA Gym, St Thomas from 6-8 PM.

The Q***r Adult Social meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month. Please note: We have a new location!

Connections ***rCommunity

08/26/2026

🌟 We’re Recruiting Youth Advisory Board Members! 🌟
Are you a young person or do you know of a young person in Oxford County, Elgin County, or St. Thomas looking to make a difference in your community?
Planet Youth is actively recruiting volunteers to join our Youth Advisory Board (YAB)! This is a great opportunity to: ✅ Share your voice and lived experiences
✅ Help shape programs, events, and resources for youth
✅ Build leadership skills
✅ Earn community service hours
✅ Connect with other youth and make a positive impact
Open to youth ages 13-22 and requiring just 1-2 hours per month.
Ready to get involved? Check out the poster for more details and apply today! DM US for a link to apply :)
ElginCounty StThomas YouthVoice CommunityImpact

PLEASE NOTE: The Young Adult Social is on hiatus for the summer, and we will not be meeting tonight. We apologize for th...
08/25/2026

PLEASE NOTE: The Young Adult Social is on hiatus for the summer, and we will not be meeting tonight. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Still want to meet up with other q***r and trans folks? Join us for Q***r Adult Social for those 18+ this Thursday, August 27 from 6-8 PM at the YWCA, 16 Mary Street West, St Thomas. Hope to see you there!

***rYouthCommunity

Address

15 St Catharine Street
Saint Thomas, ON
N5P2V6

Opening Hours

Monday 2pm - 5pm
Tuesday 2pm - 5pm
Wednesday 2pm - 5pm
Thursday 2pm - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when GECO Rainbow Connections posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category