Calgary Outlink: Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity has strived to “provide support, safety and fellowship to Calgary’s community of sexual and gender diversity,” hosting programs such as the Inside Out youth group, Illusions trans support group, Between Men, Heading Out, Two-Spirit gathering, SHEQ, and Womynspace.
Formerly known as GLCSA (Gay and Lesbian Community Service Associaion), the group made its name in the community by catering to a diverse range of groups, specializing in the outreach to gender and sexual minorities. With a long history of community support it now seems that Calgary Outlink is in need of support in return.
In the past, Calgary Outlink has survived primarily on government grants, but recently the group has run into financial shortcomings that have meant a major reduction in office hours for the organization until mid-February this year.
Upon speaking about this with Melissa Luhtanen, the current president of the organization, she indicated that the organization is undergoing a complete restructuring to overcome the current situation. She hopes this will ensure that it does not happen again in the future.
“We have a good board this year and are working on a more representative group of individuals. The board is very committed.”
The diversification of Calgary Outlink’s board is the source of what Luhtanen believes to be as step toward the “strong core” necessary to assure the group continues in the right direction. Drawing on the business and community sectors to smooth out the administrative cogs, Calgary Outlink is now looking for community input to learn how to continue to serve the community strategically, based on need. Efforts towards compiling a community survey to help direct the organization are currently under way.
While a current yearly funding plan for executive directors is now in place and applications for other monies are beginning to come through, Calgary Outlink is in need of private donations in order to continue working efficiently, not to mention their need for a dedicated volunteer base. The organization is conscious of not duplicating the efforts of others within the community and plans to work with other groups to reach a broader range of individual and unique facets of the community.
For now Luhtanen is hoping for patience and generosity as they undergo the re-structuring process, toward creating a Calgary Outlink that can better serve the community. For now, that involves securing their own future.
Calgary Outlink
#4, 1230A 17th Avenue SW
info@calgaryoutlink.ca
www.calgaryoutlink.ca

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