Turkish group studies downtown Toronto agency as model centre - Voluntary Sector - 519 Community Centre - Brief Article

Community Action, August 19, 2002

TORONTO -- A group from Istanbul met with staff and board members of the 519 Community Centre to learn about the organization and running of a community centre that serves a diverse community of interests.

Called LambdaIstanbul, the Turkish Centre is expected to be operating within the next eight months. LambdaIstanbul will be dedicated to the ideas of participation, equal opportunity, political pluralism and tolerance.

"Of special interest to us is educating the public about the democratic ideals needed for the recognition of the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered communities," group member Martin Krajcik stated. "We chose The 519 as an ideal model after extensive investigation of numerous successful centres worldwide," added visitor Fuat Turkhan.

Pointing to Turkey's approaching entry into the European Union LambdaIstanbul's Nejat Unlu explained that "the time has come for the creation of a non-governmental organization and Centre to represent a broader cross section of Turkey's and Istanbul's community interests."

The 519 Centre's Executive Director Alison Kemper told the visitors that, "The 519 offers a very comprehensive set of programs that serve the gay and lesbian communities, open doors for the developmentally challenged, support children and parents, new Canadians and programs that offer opportunities for those less advantaged. Because of growth and continued demands for space and programs, the agency is now engaged in an extensive building campaign to renovate and expand upon the existing building. The centre is located in downtown Toronto."

The Turkish group's trip was funded through the Central and Eastern Europe Participation for Tomorrow Program, and the Canadian International Development Agency, and administered by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. 416-392-6874 x116