The 519 CHURCH STREET COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2009-2010
Every year more than 51,000 people connect at The 519.
“ The 519 has really set the gold standard for access to community space.” ~ Matt Brubacher
Community Engagement Coordinator, Unity Health and Community Services
The 519 is a leader in the communities we serve. Located in one of the City’s most diverse and dynamic neighbourhoods, we are home to a community of people touched by wealth, poverty and social inclusion in very different ways. Our commitment to being a place where communities meet, participate and celebrate has led to the development of programs and services which are as varied as the people who live in our city. There’s something for everyone at The 519. We are supporting and strengthening our communities, encouraging civic engagement and fostering community partnerships by providing accessible public space for communites and organizations to meet at The 519.
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519 Church St Toronto ON M4Y 2C9 Telephone 416-392-6874 Fax 416-392-0519 info@The519.org www.The519.org Registered Charitable No. 11931-0761-RR0001 Photos Richard Rhyme for The 519 Spencer Xiong spencerxiong.com
We now offer more than 2,400 sq metres of public community space - 45% more space than existed just 5 years ago. Last year we worked in partnership with over 350 community and corporate partners, 26 funders and over 1,100 volunteers to animate the Centre and to provide responsive community programs and services for over 30,000 people. We accomplished this through the support of the City of Toronto, our donors, and our talented and committed staff.
“The 519 is a progressive model that should serve as a best practice for the sector.” ~ Julie Toskan-Casale President of the Toskan-Casale Foundation
Raising children can be challenging and we believe that no family should have to do it alone. Families of all descriptions - newcomers, single parents, queer families and other caregivers rely on The 519 for vital programming that helps them to raise healthy, happy children in a safe and supportive environment. In a community dominated by high- and low-rise apartments and condominiums, over 740 parents, caregivers and kids broke through the isolation of the city and visited our children’s programs over 4,800 times last year. Families met with their neighbours for potluck dinners, parties and parenting workshops, and had access to books, toys and resources that celebrate their families, including LGBT families. Kids in our communities have found opportunities to play, learn and grow during our March Break and Summer Camps. Over 80% of our Family Resource participants are newcomers to Canada. At The 519 they quickly build community and develop important connections to life in the City of Toronto. “I started coming with Nora to the Family Resource Centre after hearing about it from another parent. The space is beautiful and I’ve made so many new friends. Nora’s language skills and social skills grow daily because of all the practice she gets in the program.” ~ Qi and Family
Connecting and Supporting Families
We continue to work to increase programming that addresses the needs of trans parents, queer single parents and opposite-sex co-parents and the demand for our queer family planning and pre-natal courses continues to grow. We’re committed to providing groundbreaking programs that help our neighbourhood to be a place where young people can realize their full potential and where parents and caregivers feel connected and supported. Our programs for families and children rely heavily on participants and volunteers being actively involved in the planning and delivery of programs and events. Over 1,100 volunteers contributed over 17,000 hours of their time to The 519; there isn’t a program or service at The Centre which isn’t either run or supported by engaged community members.
Board Chair Natasha Garda and Honorary Patron Salah Bachir celebrate at our annual Starry Night Event
Changing Lives The programs and services offered by The 519 are developed in response to the needs and priorities of our local neighbourhoods. They are as diverse as the people who live in our communities.
Mayor David Miller and Councillor Kyle Rae place tiles in the FLUX Mosaic
The Trans Access Project delivered more than 60 informative and empowering workshops to over 900 to enable service providers to respond more effectively to the needs of trans people. Trans Youth Toronto, Canada’s longest-running program for trans youth, was attended by over 125 people last year.
In the past year nearly two dozen professional volunteer counsellors provided 530 counselling sessions on issues ranging from addiction, depression and anxiety to couples counselling.
In the last year, our community services programs have conducted 30 workshops that trained over 600 community members and service providers on the issues of hate crimes, homophobia and same-sex partner abuse.
Our newcomer programs provide a safe and welcoming place for LGBT people who have fled difficult situations in their home countries. This year we saw a 65% increase in the number of people attending these programs–over 150 newcomers attend our weekly peer-led refugee support group.
The 519 is the first place many people in our community turn when they need help or information. We provided information and referral to over 17,000 people who needed assistance navigating our city and its resources in 2009.
Photo: Spencer Xiong
The AIDS Candlelight Vigil is held annually to remember, honour and celebrate the people who have died of AIDS or AIDS related illnesses.
More than 300 community members joined together over several months to create FLUX, The 519 Community-Engaged Mosaic which is permanently housed on the Salah Bachir Wing of The 519.
Treehouse Party
What’s happening
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Amazing! @RickMercer will join Dean and Dan Caten and many others to bartend at our Starry Night event tonight. http://bit.ly/aiTZWi
Latest: @The519 has finalized our programming for this year’s Pride festival. First event up: Trans Theatre Under the Stars! 12:36:31 via TweetDeck
Photo: Spencer Xiong
Tweet
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Open Air Affair
There are 100’s dancing behind The 519 Community Centre -LED lit -- not like any nightclub: public cross-section, free and open -- Toronto 10:05 PM Jul 4th via Twitter for iPhone
Photo: Spencer Xiong
The Green Space on Church is The 519’s largest annual fundraiser, held over 4 days during Toronto’s Pride festival. Over 21,000 people met friends, danced and celebrated in Cawthra Square Park. All proceeds from these events support The 519’s year-long community programming.
Trans Theatre Under The Stars
Saw a gazillion friends @The519 beer garden. An Absolute blast and all I needed out of #pridetoronto weekend 8:41 PM Jul 4th via Twitter for iPhone
@The519 water park. The place is PACKED! http://tweetphoto.com/30828083 5:16 PM Jul 4th via Echofon
@The519 great job on the green space. Lines for drinks moving quickly. Great vibe. #prideTO 4:41 PM Jul 3rd via TweetAgora
“ When I arrived in Canada as a refugee I didn’t know anyone.”
“ I made friends and found important connections at The 519. I found a home here.”
Thank you.
Honorary Patron Salah Bachir
The community investment partnerships created through community centres like The 519 allow for multi-sectoral collaboration and investment in our neighbourhoods and vital community programming. Through this unique model, The 519 and its partners are able to leverage government, corporate and community resources which ensure our communities have access to affordable public space where they can meet, play, develop and cultivate as a community.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS for the year ended December 31 2008 REVENUE City of Toronto - Core Funding Government Grants Fundraising and Donations Membership/Rental/Interest/Other TOTAL REVENUE
2009 1,240,246 758,896 344,517 55,752 2,399,411
2008 1,207,625 736,761 187,658 50,131 2,182,175
EXPENDITURE Core Salary and Benefits Building Occupancy Costs Materials,Supplies,Services Program Salary and Benefits Program Materials,SuppliesServices Amortization of Program Assets TOTAL EXPENDITURE (Deficiency) excess of revenue over expenditures
957,001 119,180 164,065 806,987 297,838 37,527 2,382,598 16,813
962,065 90,028 155,532 739,485 246,353 39,814 2,233,277 (51,102)
Patron’s Circle Over $10,000
Leadership Council $1000+
Cineplex Media
Anita Bennett
J. Ross Retail Recruiters
TICOT Social Society
Brad Schmale
John Stephens
TELUS Communications
Brian Terry
Matthew Cutler
John Bailey & Christopher Estridge
David DesLauriers
Maura Lawless & Fiona Murray
Andrew & Valerie Pringle
Dean Carlson
Prime Timers Toronto
The Carolyn Sifton Foundation
Don & Clayton
Richard Durk & Steve Weiss
Estate of Dr. James Howard Goudie
Ellis Jacob
Rick Mercer
Frederick & Douglas Dickson Memorial Foundation
Robert Archer & Richard C. Pond
Geoffrey H. Wood Foundation
Benefactors $500+
Advocates $250+
Alcholics Anonymous - Living in Today
Alfred Conery
Judy Stanleigh
Board of Management
Brian Beattie
Brendan Row
Larry Nevard
Natasha Garda Chair
Brian Provini
Brian Hobson
LaVerne Monette
Brian King
Calvin Chiu
LOFT Community Services
Derrick Navarro ViceÂ-Chair
The Church Street Group
Christine Racicot
Macquarie Group Foundation Ltd
Pascal Dessureault Treasurer
Daniel Bain
David W. McMackon
Melissa Popadynec
Domenic Bellissimon
Debtors Anonymous
Michael Hayden
Jodi Hoar Secretary
Evan Young
Don Henry
Michael Saver
Jessica Carfagnini
George Pratt
Emma Lewzey
Michael Sik
George Smitherman
Eric Decaen
Mustafa Nazarali
Troy Jackson
IATSE Local 8822
Faizur Rahman
Paul Savard
Lyle Kersey
Jim Grace
Filomeno Jose
Peter Marchande
The Justin & Elizabeth Lang Foundation
Frank Butler
Rainbow AA
Jake Schonfeld
Kenneth Fredeen
Gary Burley
Richard F. Glaze
Lee Mark Schofield
Linda Plumpton
Gary Powell
Robert Lees
Michael Moores
Greg Johns
Rob McMurtrie
Rudy Ticzon
Overeaters Anonymous
Greg Schiltroth
Robert Norquay
Out In Recovery
Helga Wyler
Ross Gorrie
Kira Vallen
Perry Orestes
Jack Brannigan
Sally Jakabowski
Councillor Kyle Rae Ex Officio
Promises Group
James M. Jordan
Thomas Hopson
Sara Newman
Jim Vibert
Troy Twigg
Spencer Xiong
John Murray
Vincent Knott
Studio 180
John Tovey
Wei Xiong
Swinging Out
Judy Skinner
Wendy Statt and over 400 supporters under $250
Future Forward Vision As a centre we are passionate about our future and committed to creating opportunities that foster social inclusion.
With the generous assistance of the Toronto Enterprise Fund, The 519 will open our new resto-catering initiative in
As we move into next year, we are excited about new ideas and projects which will bring our communities closer
2010. This project will focus on the ways we can cultivate community connections around the table, returning food
together. The Centre is poised to welcome members of our communities who have never before thought of The 519
to the centre of community life. FABARNAK will be a leader in quality food service and will provide opportunities for
as their home.
people to gain skills and experience working in the hospitality industry.
The 519 has always been a visionary organization focused on responding to the needs we see in the community.
Whether it is in the kitchen, around the table or in one of the 14 community meeting rooms in the building, exciting
Programming in the Green Space on Church, new events and activities for neighbours to come together and the
things are happening at The 519. Through community-engaged models of program development and delivery, people
ongoing evaluation and development of our programs in response to emerging community priorities will accentuate
from across our diverse communities are joining us in creating a better future for Toronto.
our coming year. The next year will be one of the busiest, most exciting and flavourful years in the Centre’s 35-year history. Too many of our young queer people and LGBT newcomers face discrimination and barriers to employment. In 2009
I hope you’ll join us on the journey.
our meal programs provided over 20,000 meals to participants in our various drop‑-in programs. While providing healthy and nutritious food may be the first step, it’s time to do something totally new and cutting edge to fundamentally change people’s lives and give them a chance to contribute fully in our society.
Food and emotion are strongly connected, and FABARNAK will present many opportunities for the community to experience a full range of flavours, emotions, experiences and connection. Eating should be fun, food should build relationships between people and eating healthy, local, handmade food shouldn’t be complicated. Chef Eric Wood will be directing operations for FABARNAK. Eric believes that our engagement with food is either about nostalgia or fantasy. He has a firm understanding of the role food plays in creating community and enhancing lives - a skill that will be invaluable at The 519. Spread the word. Say it like you mean it. Join us around the table.
Maura Lawless
Natasha Garda
Executive Director
Board Chair