Mission

The 519 is committed to the health, happiness and full participation of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. A City of Toronto agency with an innovative model of Service, Space and Leadership, we strive to make a real difference in people’s lives, while working to advance equity, justice and community strength.

Principles that Guide our Work

The current strategic plan has provided overall guidance and direction while at the same time recognizing that priorities shift in response to workload, new opportunities, and emergent needs  The themes and detailed Strategic Action Plan including the annual priorities should be understood in this context.

Justice And Anti-Poverty

Utilize justice and anti-poverty approaches and strategies to respond to 2SLGBTQ+ communities disproportionately impacted by systemic discrimination, including Indigenous communities, Black communities, racialized communities, trans and non-binary communities, women, low-income communities, people experiencing homelessness, and people who use substances.

Confronting Anti-Black Racism and Indigenous Reconciliation:

Our commitments to Indigenous reconciliation, confronting anti-Black racism and anti-racism underpin and inform all aspects of our work through dialogue and action planning at the Board and senior leadership level, through all-staff training, professional development, community engagement and intentional partnerships.

Well-Being/Mutualism/Resilience

Enhance ways to sustain life, community and joy together, while resisting injustice. We provisionally define “resilience” as building strong, well-resourced, and just communities that can thrive amidst rapid change and act in resistance to isolation, disempowerment, and the choices of institutions and policymakers to maintain deep inequalities and inequitable systems that make people’s lives more precarious.

Adaptation

Continue to adapt our existing programs and services to meet community need with a focus on the social determinants of health, accessibility, and adaptability, through collaboration and community partnership.

Sustainability

Develop our internal capacity and infrastructure to sustain our work long term. This includes advocating for more sustainable long-term funding opportunities; procuring and implementing leading technology and tools that position us well into the future; and investing in capital ecological infrastructure improvements; and internal capacity building and strategies in support of staff development, retention and succession.

2025-2027 Strategic Goals

STRATEGIC PRIORITY #1: Define our Future, Respond to our Context, and Impact Systemic Change

The 519 and 2SLGBTQ+ communities will boldly define and shape our own futures, guided by our vision of a more inclusive and equitable world. Together, we will rise to meet the challenges of our time, advocating to make equity, justice, and the protection of human rights the foundation of our work.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY #2: Connect Communities, Foster Mutual Support, Resiliency and Self-Determination, and Respond to Vulnerabilities

As a community centre, The 519’s core role is to build connected and supportive communities where everyone feels that they can grow and belong. Stronger community connections will reduce social isolation, address vulnerabilities, and empower individuals by fostering self-determination and collective care.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY #3: Ensure Transformative Organizational Sustainability and Good Governance

Continue to build a thriving, sustainable organization that inspires innovation and excellence by empowering our staff, board, funders and supporters, to achieve our mission and lay the groundwork for the next fifty years of The 519.