“I am filled with so much joy when I meet refugees that we have supported at events, or just hearing from them after they land, that they feel like they can breathe again, and that they feel like they will be okay now."
When LGBTQI+ refugees arrive in Canada through the Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) program, there’s an invisible network working to make sure everything falls into place. At the heart of that network is Paige. As the Senior Program Officer, GAR Coordinator, she connects caseworkers, legal volunteers, referral partners, and Rainbow Railroad’s leadership team.
“My role touches every part of the program,” she explains. “I oversee the daily administrative operations and the movement of cases so that we are able to maximize our 250 annual referrals under the GAR program every year.”
A typical day, she says, is best described as “a juggling act.” Paige manages reports, financial transactions, and case movements, with her busiest days clustering around the beginning and end of each month. “I am basically glued to my laptop with noise-cancelling headphones on during this time! My role is also a domino effect; if my part doesn’t fall into place, the rest of the dominoes don’t fall into their place either.”
A Juggling Act with Life-Changing Stakes
Paige’s journey with Rainbow Railroad began in 2020, when she joined as an intern during her Bachelor of Social Work.
“I remember googling ‘LGBT Organizations in Toronto’ in 2019 and Rainbow Railroad was my first choice out of all the organizations that came up in the search,” she recalls. “After my internship interview, I felt like the staff who interviewed me were celebrities, because I admired their work so much. I then started the internship in January 2020, which was a very rewarding and eye-opening experience.”
What began as an internship became a full-time role, and five years later, Paige plays a pivotal role in advancing the GAR program.
“Every email, meeting, spreadsheet, document, and Slack message are all part of helping LGBTQI+ people access freedom.”
One milestone stands out above the rest: when Rainbow Railroad finally secured the GAR pathway after seven years of advocacy. “I was teary-eyed in the moment, and I came home that evening and cried tears of joy,” Paige remembers. “I knew that Rainbow Railroad had just made queer refugee history.”
Making Queer Refugee History
For Paige, the most rewarding part of her role is knowing her behind-the-scenes work has a direct impact on people’s lives.
“I am filled with so much joy when I meet refugees that we have supported at events, or just hearing from them after they land, that they feel like they can breathe again, and that they feel like they will be okay now,” she says.
But she’s also keenly aware of the limits. “The most challenging part of my role is knowing that the need will always far exceed the available resources and program spaces,” she says. “Even though we used to sponsor 10 cases of refugees annually, and now we can refer 250 individuals annually, we still received over 13,000 requests for help last year. Watching the need continue to grow is challenging.”
That challenge hasn’t diminished her resolve — it’s sharpened it. “None of us are free until all of us are free, and pride is a protest until we don’t have to protest for anyone’s rights anymore.”
Finding Joy in the Simple Things
What sustains Paige are both the people she works with and the small moments of balance in her life.
“The incredible team at Rainbow Railroad, some of whom I’m proud will be my lifelong friends, keep me motivated, calm, and happy,” she shares.
Outside of work, Paige finds joy in simple pleasures: “Hanging out with my cat, who doesn’t have a care in the world… visiting my family on the East Coast, which is like pressing the reset button… and getting brunch with friends at a new spot in Toronto.”
To supporters, she emphasizes just how essential their contributions are. “We have only been able to increase the capacity of our work due to very kind donations, and both big and small amounts all add up,” Paige says. “Your generosity helps get more and more LGBTQI+ people to safety.”
And to policymakers, her message is gratitude: “This program is historic, and it would not have been possible without the willingness of the Canadian government to collaborate on and trust Rainbow Railroad’s work. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
Want to play a role in this transformative work? You can support LGBTQI+ people seeking safety by donating, advocating, or volunteering your time and skills with Rainbow Railroad. Every action helps move more people to safety.