Partners: The 519 and Homes First
TNC has been working with both The 519 – a 2SLGBTQ+ community center based in Toronto, and Homes First – a shelter provider in the GTA to evaluate their partnership and the development of the first dedicated 2SLGBTQ+ shelter for queer refugees in Toronto. As part of this project we have run multiple focus groups and key informant interviews with queer refugees and asylum seekers to better understand their experience at the shelter and their realities upon arrival in Canada. We have also explored the mental health needs of shelter residents and worked with the team at The 519 to explore the possibility of building organizational capacity for culturally competent mental health supports.