Public Announcement RE Program Closures

July 8, 2026 | Announcement

This announcement includes two letters RE the closure of two programs.

Dear community,

After three years, we've made the difficult decision to close our free, short-term counselling program - Be Kind to Your Mind.

The honest truth is that we couldn't secure dedicated funding to support the program and unfortunately we do not have enough unrestricted funds available to sustain the program moving forward. We’ve tried applying for grants, sending donation requests, adjusting project proposals hoping for a shift, but in the end, the numbers simply weren't there.

Our counselling program was never designed to fit neatly into the metrics that most funders look for today. So many grants are currently focused on visible, high-impact data, which is great for programs with the capacity to produce it. But our program was not designed for that. It was built by and for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, grounded in community values: we understood people as part of larger systems of oppression, we centred trauma rather than checking a "trauma-informed" box, we rejected rigid "shoulds" and linear healing paths, and we measured wellbeing the way each person defined it for themselves. Above all, we really celebrated and accepted every single person who walked through our doors.

In the end, our counselling program served 99 clients. It would have been cool to say we served 100, but we've always believed in doing what you can with the time and the resources that you've got, even if the "end" isn't perfect.

To those of you who were on our waitlist: We are so sorry we couldn't get to you. We hope the list of alternative services helps you find the resource you need.

This program was led by people who poured their whole hearts into it. Supported by students and volunteers, they brought care, laughter, humility, integrity, and so much warmth. We are deeply grateful to them and thankful for the trust and support you all continue to show us.

A reminder of resources available to you:

Counselling Services

These counselling services are available for free or on a sliding scale. For more information, contact the organization directly. Note: Even though these services may not be specifically geared to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, you can ask for a counsellor who is 2SLGBTQIA+, and they usually do their best to accommodate this request. 

Systems Navigation

  • Access MHA - Navigation support for mental health, substance use, and addictions 

Quick Access

In solidarity,

The Kind Space Board of Directors and Staff

Dear community,

After three years, we've made the difficult decision to close our formal Social Events Series - this includes our regularly scheduled board game nights, plant socials, karaoke, and TTRPG gatherings.

While our counselling program faced challenges with funder metrics, the reality for our social events was simpler and more structural: we no longer have the resources to support a dedicated staff position to coordinate and sustain this programming at the level it deserves. Without that consistent leadership, we can't offer the reliable, recurring calendar of events that so many of you came to love and count on.

That said, this isn't a complete goodbye to fun. Even though a consistent series won't be continuing, we are committed to doing our best to keep board game nights and karaoke happening where we can, alongside new opportunities for intentional joy and playfulness. The shape and frequency may shift, but the spirit of connection isn't going anywhere.

Our Social Events Series opened up a whole new way for people to connect with Kind Space. These events were low stakes - a chance to just show up, meet new people, and be in community without pressure. For many, they were a gentle and fun entry point into the organization. They also helped to shift how the broader community saw us: not just as a place for support in a crisis, but as a place for joy, connection, and everyday belonging.

What many of you may not know is that the person behind this series has been showing up for this community in so many ways for years. Long before the event series came to be. They facilitated activity-based mental wellness groups, held space online during the isolating early years of the pandemic, and quietly kept our digital communities connected when we needed it most. Their care, creativity, and warmth have left a lasting mark on Kind Space, and we are endlessly grateful for everything they've given.

In solidarity,

The Kind Space Board of Directors and Staff