The Street Health Centre (SHC) is open 365 days a year to deliver health services through a wrap-around care model for people who face barriers accessing mainstream health services. SHC began as a needle exchange program in 1992 and has evolved into a multi-service model providing health, disease prevention, primary care, and treatment services.
SHC is recognized regionally for its expertise in providing care to vulnerable populations by operating low-threshold, barrier-free access to primary care and addiction services. SHC focuses on serving priority populations – those who are homeless or precariously housed, may have been incarcerated, and may be affected by or at risk of acquiring Hepatitis C (HCV).
Substance use is often correlated with a history of trauma, and our services are provided with an understanding of how trauma impacts the social determinants of health such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), poverty, housing, income and social status, literacy, gender, culture and race.
SHC works to improve the lives of individuals living with mental health challenges, substance use or addictions by connecting them to appropriate and meaningful health and social services.