LGBTQ Counselling Announcement

Family Service Toronto has an opportunity for progressive counselling / mental health agencies or programs to add or expand inclusive service to LGBTQ clients.

The Opportunity

Family Service Toronto (FST) is engaged in a national search for partner organizations wanting to add or expand capacity to serve Lesbian / Gay / Bisexual / Trans / Queer (LGBTQ) clients and communities.

There are two phases in the project:

In the first Phase, recently graduated LGBTQ MSWs will intern for 12 months with the David Kelley LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS counselling programs of Family Service Toronto while partner organizations outside Toronto are supported to ready themselves for increased LGBTQ service capacity.
In Phase II, selected partner agencies will hire a post-internship MSW graduate and continue organizational change.

Agencies will receive $15,000 to offset costs in the first year of employment of the intern. This is a three-year project with an intern being trained and matched to an agency in each of the three years.

The Need

In most Canadian cities, especially smaller ones, there are very few dedicated or inclusive LGBTQ counselling programs or services. Vulnerable LGBTQ people face a hit and miss situation when it comes to finding a program that is competent, informed and gay. While gay-positive straight programs often provide excellent service there is typically no LGBTQ option for the community, especially for people of modest or low income.

FST Supports

With generous support from the Counselling Foundation of Canada and CERIC we can now share our expertise.

Along with supporting the development of more and better LGBTQ services for partner organizations, Family Service Toronto can help increase inclusion of LGBTQ people at the program, organizational and board levels. FST’s experience strongly suggests that sustained change happens as a result of both professional and organizational development. Family Service Toronto will support the partner agency and others interested in conducting a self-assessment and assist in the creation of an anti-homophobic change process that involves policy and governance; programs and systems; and training for staff and volunteers at all levels.

Get Involved

Family Service Toronto invites interested organizations from outside Toronto committed to serving LGBTQ communities with distinction and innovation, and interested in introducing and/or developing LGBTQ counselling services within their organization, to submit a letter of interest to Family Service Toronto by January, 2009. More information about this project can be found on our website.

Agencies who are interested in the proposal but are challenged to meet all the criteria are invited to call and discuss their situation: Laurie Chesley, MSW, RSW Manager, FST David Kelley Services: 416.595.0307 ext. 272 Please pass this opportunity on to organizations you think might be interested.

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