SQSH’S 2026 STRATEGIC PLAN A Strategic Plan provides a North Star to guide an organization, especially through a period of transition. SQSH’s first ever Strategic Plan focuses on healing, rebuilding, capacity restoration, and restabilization.
Vision We envision a liberated St. Louis where queer and trans people of all identities are safe, secure, and empowered through compassion, healing, and community.
Mission SQSH is a grassroots nonprofit that nurtures connection, healing, and empowerment within our St. Louis metro LGBTQIA+ community. We build bridges across identities, cultures, and experiences through peer support, resource connection, education, and advocacy — strengthening our community’s capacity to care for ourselves and each other.
Values We lead with heart and integrity. We act with sincerity, compassion, & courage.
We grow through reflection and accountability. We listen, learn, and evolve together, repairing harm and deepening trust with openness and humility.
We care for ourselves and each other. We honor healing, resilience and sustainability as essential to personal and collective liberation.
We connect across differences. We build bridges between identities, cultures, and experiences through empathy, respect, and authentic relationships.
We share power & nurture leadership. We uplift community voices and practice transparency. We build collective power by growing individuals’ skills & sharing knowledge with peers.
We stay flexible and creative. We adapt to change with curiosity and courage, embracing experimentation as a path to growth.
We build for the long term. We act with intention and patience, investing in the people, relationships, and structures that sustain lasting transformation.
Goal 1: Strengthen Programmatic Impact Deepen and align SQSH’s programs to meet community needs.
1.1 Increase the capacity and resilience of SQSH’s Peer Support Helpline. One of SQSH’s flagship programs, the Peer Support Helpline is one of the most impactful services we can provide to our community. The Helpline should have the capacity to connect with callers who need support. Peer Counselors should have the information, skills, and training to support callers.
Project Goals Increase helpline capacity Prevent burnout among peer counselors Recruit and retain peer counselors Maintain helpline hours Strengthen referral networks and processes
Intended Outcomes Helpline hours are sustained at current levels in Jul-Dec 2026 At least 200 people served through helpline in 2026 Reduced amount of unmet needs among helpline callers Retention of at least 75% of current and new peer counselors
1.2 Update referral resources through SQSHBook. As another flagship program, the SQSHBook is a powerful resource for grassroots knowledge and referrals. The SQSHBook should have the infrastructure for updating listings and channel that information to our staff, peer counselors, and community.
Project Goals Ensure Staff and Peer Counselors are providing up-to-date resource information Expand SQSH’s referral relationships with listing owners Standardize processes for updating SQSHBook resource entries
Intended Outcomes Increased number of referral partners who use SQSHBook as a resource Decreased number of client referral needs for which SQSH does not have a referral partner Increased web traffic on SQSHBook website by 25%
Goal 2: Strengthen Community Engagement & Trust 2.1 Increase & improve community outreach. Project Goals Broaden awareness of SQSH’s services and programming. Increase trust and confidence in SQSH’s role in the broader community. Facilitate opportunities to build relationships with volunteers, donors and clients.
Intended Outcomes Increased level of engagement between the St. Louis LGBTQIA+ community and SQSH. Increased accessibility and reach of SQSH’s services. Increased number of supporters engaged with SQSH. Increased volunteer recruitment. Increased SQSH presence in public spaces.
2.2 Amplify community impacts through strong partnership and collaboration. Project Goals Leverage culture of connection to increase community impact. Improve integration of networks of care throughout our community. Improve efficiency and effectiveness of services. Move SQSH’s ecosystem closer to “no wrong door” for people in need of services. Strengthen SQSH’s relationships with partners who serve LGBTQIA+ youth and adults 30 and under in St. Louis City and County.
Intended Outcomes Broadening and deepening of SQSH’s partnership networks. More seamless service provision among community organizations. Deepened connection with SQSH’s funders and partners. Increased impact of SQSH’s resources in the community.
Goal 3: Establish a Healthy, Connected Organization Build a culture rooted in connection, trust, and wellbeing to sustain SQSH’s mission and people. Establish the systems, resources, and leadership capacity needed to support SQSH’s stability and growth to-date.
3.1. Equip staff and volunteers with emotional, relational, and organizational tools to increase power literacy, promote cooperative communication, and navigate conflict. Project Goals Strengthen the connections between individual healing, power environments, and systemic change. Develop a shared framework for communication, collaboration, and change management. Build an organizational culture of mutual respect, understanding, and care both internally and externally.
Intended Outcomes Increased staff and volunteer capacity for self-regulation, accountability, and boundary-setting. Stronger alignment between SQSH’s healing and organizing practices. Enhanced sustainability and reduced burnout across teams. Measurable growth in staff and volunteers’ sense of empowerment and connection.
3.2 Develop & implement systems to align workplace culture and policies with organizational values to strengthen trust. Project Goals Ensure alignment between values and systems Establish a People & Culture department as a system of care. Update employee handbook and HR policies to improve staff support Strengthen onboarding processes Embed restorative and healing practices
Intended Outcomes Strengthened personnel wellness and retention. Clear, compassionate culture of communication & feedback. Shared sense of belonging & accountability across the org.
3.3 Reimagine organizational structure to emphasize collaboration and collective input. Project Goals Create a well-defined organizational structure for SQSH Increase collaboration & engagement at all levels of SQSH Embrace emergent leadership Break down silos between teams. Reflect shared power and distributed decisionmaking Provide structural supports that increase the amount of freedom and space that stakeholders with less power have to speak truthfully about their experience.
Intended Outcomes Increased alignment, clarity, and collaboration between departments and teams Increased clarity and understanding of organizational structure and functions. Improved processes to align program goals with organizational and operational structure.
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