The City of Toronto is announcing a $250,000 funding commitment to the 519 community in the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood this week.
Funding will help support 2SLGBTQ+ communities through activities, events and programs, according to a recent press release.
The 519 is a Toronto-based agency and registered charity "committed to the health, happiness and full participation of 2SLGBTQ+ communities," according to its website.
This commitment also involves enhancing community and safety for all residents in the Church-Wellesley Village within Toronto Centre.
Several of these community-based initiatives will be in the local Barbara Hall Park.
“I look forward to seeing the vision for Barbara Hall Park come to life through the many events and programming that will be available to the community thanks to this new funding," said Toronto Mayor John Tory. "The 519 has truly become a community hub for so many people in this city and our support will help them reach even more people who need access to these services.”
This announcement is a continuation of the city’s approval for funding in the 2022 operating budget for the Association of Community Centres to support the 519.
To ensure all funding goes towards the community, the press release reads that the city will work closely with neighbourhood stakeholders to identify and respond to the safety and needs of 2SLGBTQ+ community members, especially those that are unhoused.
Further, the city will work with the community to find inclusive opportunities within Barbara Hall Park’s green space.
Newly appointed Toronto Centre city councillor Robin Buxton Potts also commented on the new funding agreement.
“The Church-Wellesley Village neighbourhood is an exciting part of our city," she said. "I am thrilled to see this commitment to the 2SLGBTQ+ community and funding for programs and events in Barbara Hall Park. I look forward to seeing the community come together to support these initiatives, engage with one another and feel safe and supported in this inclusive environment.”
CJRU reached out to councillor Buxton Potts, who was recently voted in by city council this month to become the interim city councillor of Ward 13 Toronto Centre. An interview was not available this week, but her team said she will try to respond to CJRU's email questions soon.
CJRU is also waiting on a reply from the 519 community.
The funding from the city comes as festivities for Pride Month continue for June.
The 519 is also hosting the Green Space festival days before Toronto’s Pride parade scheduled for June 26.
This will be the first in-person Toronto pride parade in over two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More details to come.
Listen to CJRU's news coverage of the 519's new funding from the city of Toronto: