The 519 Church St Community Centre board of management elected its new chair, Pascal Dessureault, Oct 24. The 25-year-old corporate communications manager at Purolator is the youngest person ever to hold that position.
Dessureault says he’s been involved with The 519 since moving to Toronto from Montreal six years ago. He’s previously served on the board for two years as treasurer and vice-chair.
Outreach to expand The 519’s membership and community base is the board’s top priority, Dessureault says.
Pascal Dessureault wants The 519 to reach out to members of the community who haven't been part of the centre before.
(Rob Salerno)
“Making The 519 an umbrella organization is the ultimate goal so it brings in different generational groups, gender groups, geographic groups. The 519’s importance far outreaches its catchment area,” he says. “A key component of that will be fundraising and volunteer outreach.”
Dessureault says he’s happy with the progress The 519 has made to invite more groups in.
“In 2010 with our capital campaign, we expanded our space by 45 percent; and rather than doing more of what we were already doing, we’re reaching out to members of the community to give them space,” he says.
The board will also be establishing a two-year road map for program allocation and fundraising, with a goal of expanding The 519’s reach into the community.
“It’s also about inviting people who’ve never been part of The 519 before to be part of that community,” Dessureault says.