Proudly Supporting Diversity at the Y

YMCA Sprott House is a home for LGBTQ2S+ youth who have experienced homelessness, where 25 participants live together in a caring and fully supported community for up to two years. Thanks to YMCA donors, LGBTQ2S+ young adults have access to this safe space where trained staff can support them in their transition to a healthy adulthood. Staff and residents from Radio City share why they support this cause every year.

“Our community is situated along Mutual Street, in the heart of Toronto’s Rainbow Village. Each June, as Pride celebrates diversity and inclusion, Radio City staff and residents come together to raise funds for our charity of choice: YMCA Sprott House, which provides much-needed support, resources, and shelter for LGBTQ2S+ youth.

With generous contributions from local restaurants and shops, we host a Pride Social for neighbours and residents in our outdoor courtyard, and we donate the proceeds to YMCA Sprott House.

Things have come a long way in terms of embracing and respecting diversity. We’re not there yet, but we believe that the Y and Sprott House are leading the way. Since many of us are LGBTQ2S+ and of a certain age, it is meaningful to us to support a program that we wish could have existed decades ago. We know all too well about the stigma, marginalization, and prejudice that LGBTQ2S+ people experience.

We’ve been hosting our Pride Social for two years, and plan to continue for many years to come.

Supporting Sprott House means we are making a tangible difference in the LGBTQ2S+ community — one with which we strongly identify. We want LGBTQ2S+ youth in Toronto to know there’s a place they can go when they have nowhere else to turn.”