Belleville and Quinte West CHCOperating out of two locations in Belleville and Quinte West/Trenton with a staff team of 60-plus, this site has invited community members and clients to become volunteer Health Champions who can identify and meet local needs. The Champions have initiated a dad-focused group and a drop-in music group, with other programs planned for 2019.

Contact:Meghan Shanahan Thain, Social Worker613-965-0698 ext 120/202thainm@bqwchc.com

Centre de santé communautaire du TémiskamingServing rural communities in New Liskeard, Kirkland Lake, and the surrounding areas, this centre is focused on offering comprehensive primary care and community health services to the Francophone population. Additional activities include health promotion and children and family services.

Contact:Nadia Pelletier-Lavigne, Coordinator of Planning and Community Interventions 705-647-5775 ext 3228nadiapelletier@csctim.on.ca

Centretown CHCLocated in downtown Ottawa since 1969, this large CHC serves a diverse urban population. The centre is particularly focused on vulnerable groups including the senior population, the LGBT community, those affected by mental illness and addictions, the homeless, and newcomers to Canada. Staff serve as Link Workers who connect clients to a multitude of services, both within the CHC and with external community partners.

Contact:Joffré Malette Program Manager, Regional Diabetes Programs613-233-4443 ext 2507jmalette@centretownchc.org

Country Roads CHCA “one stop shop” for family and community health since 1988, this rural centre serves the Township of Rideau Lakes and the Village of Westport. Country Roads began working with volunteer Health Champions several years ago, involving the community in capacity-building. Now, the centre is working to strengthen the process of connecting clients to social and community supports.

Contact:Marci Bruyère, Coordinator of Health Promotion and Community Development613-272-3302 ext 241mbruyere@crchc.on.ca

Gateway CHCServing the community of Tweed since 1991, Gateway has been a leader in connecting primary care with community services. With a strong existing Link Worker system in place, the centre is a model for others, and looks forward to capturing data and demonstrating impact in a more robust way.

Contact:Julia Swedak, Director of Quality & Knowledge Management613-478-1211 ext 298jswedak@gatewaychc.org

Guelph CHCThis downtown urban centre, established in 1988, is no stranger to innovative programming. Their SEED community food project to increase food security won a Transformative Change Award in 2018. With strong existing peer programming, the centre is deepening volunteer leadership and strengthening linkages between clinical and community supports.

Contact:Karrie Cumming, Health Promoter519-821-6638 ext 268kcumming@guelphchc.ca

NorWest CHCsBased in Thunder Bay for more than 20 years, this large, dynamic centre also provides services in Armstrong and Longlac. Since inviting clients and community members to participate as volunteer Health Champions, a number of innovative programs have been created, including a six-week knitting workshop run by a retired long-haul trucker, and a Wellbriety group addressing addictions by two Elders in the community.

Contact:Anita Jean, Manager of Community Development and Engagement807-626-8480ajean@norwestchc.org

Rexdale CHCAn urban centre located in one of Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods, Rexdale works with a very diverse, often under-served population. Having piloted a small Social Prescribing project in the summer of 2018, the centre is expanding upon this foundation to offer social and community-based interventions for families. Innovative partnerships, including a staff secondment with the Toronto Public Library, enable Rexdale to link clients to a wealth of resources.

Contact:Althea Martin-Risen, Director, Health Promotion416-744-6312 option 1 option 3 ext 4251althea.martin@rexdalechc.com

South Georgian Bay CHCA small rural centre serving the vast areas of Clearview Township, Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Elmvale, and the Town of the Blue Mountains. The centre is excited for the opportunity to increase capacity and build community through volunteer Health Champions. The active group is exploring potential new activities and partnerships, including Coffee and Colouring, Cribbage and Cards, as well as a Friendly Visitor Program.

Contact:Erika Haney, Clinical Manager705-422-1888erika.haney@sgbchc.ca

Stonegate CHCLocated in south Etobicoke, Stonegate was created by community members in 1992. The small centre saw tremendous interest from the community to participate as volunteer Health Champions. The new Champions have since taken leadership to plan a dementia workshop, a yoga class, and a newcomer resource group.

Contact:Carol Barbosa, Manager, Health Promotion416-231-7070 ext 283carol.barbosa@stonegatechc.org

West Elgin CHCA mid-sized centre serving rural areas of Dutton, West Lorne and Rodney for nearly 25 years, West Elgin is eager to strengthen the existing Systems Navigation program and foster deeper community connections. Their asset-mapping exercise has already uncovered surprising partnerships in the community, broadening the set of resources that to which clients can be linked.

Contact:Stephanie Skelding, Health Promoter & Systems Navigator519-768-1715 ext 2203sskelding@wechc.on.ca