Message from the Executive Director: January/February 2026

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Dear Jim Toy Community,

Our work at the Jim Toy Community Center is grounded in three pillars: Programming, Partnerships, and Advocacy. They aren’t buzzwords. They’re how we decide what we say yes to, what we say no to, and where we spend our limited time and energy.

Programming is where I see the Center most clearly: Open Door Hours, peer-led groups, shared work time, creative spaces, and support groups. These aren’t just meetings on a calendar. They’re how we learn who is showing up, what people are carrying, and what’s missing. That information matters. It shapes what we build next and what we choose to hold steady, while giving people a place to be seen and heard.

Partnerships are how this work actually functions. We don’t do this alone. Many of the groups using our space are doing deep, specific work in the community. Our role is to support people by removing barriers where we can and building relationships that make this work stronger and better aligned with the wide-ranging needs of our community.

Advocacy is where we step outside the building. When policies, funding decisions, or public conversations impact our community, we show up to make sure LGBTQ+ voices are present, informed, and connected to action. What we hear inside the Center directly shapes how we advocate beyond it.

These pillars aren’t separate. They rely on each other. What happens in our programs informs our advocacy. Our partnerships expand what we’re able to offer. Together, they keep the Center grounded in real needs.

Whether you’re in the space every week or supporting it in ways that aren’t always visible, thank you for being part of this work.

With pride,

Joe