Rainbow Haven set up a booth at the 2024 Festival in the Park in Victoria, BC last month. It was our first time registering in a pride event. We had two simple goals: raise awareness about the help that RH provides and collect email addresses for our newsletter. We were pleasantly surprised by what else happened at our booth.

Notice that we had no plans to collect money or recruit volunteers. We do and will need both, but those were not our goals for this day. (However, you can donate now.) The surprise came when one of the first visitors to the booth offered us money. That was quickly followed by someone asking to volunteer. During the day, four people offered us money and six people offered to volunteer. As well, 23 people signed up for the newsletter. We also shared information with countless others about the need for the work RH does to keep LGBTQ+ asylum-seekers housed and fed while they are in hiding. 

Our goal is to have a safe house wherever LGBTQ+ people need it while they go through the refugee system. We need lots of money and people with skills and commitment. 

For our booth, we had a great location at the end of a row at a busy intersection. The booth behind us did not show up, giving us exposure to high traffic on three sides.  The picture shows Brian Seymour talking to one visitor and the edge of a banner from our sponsor St. John the Divine.