Healthy Men, Healthy Conversations, Healthy Communities!  

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September 16, 2024

Written By Jeyanithe Karunanithy, BA (Hons.), MSc, Mental Health Case Worker 

On Aug 14, 2024, a group of IPPC staff comprised of harm reduction and mental health case workers headed an open house and information session at the Salvation Army men’s shelter located at 50 Estate Dr. Scarborough.  

The event commenced around 12:00 noon with Pizza lunch and guitar music while residents were relaxing and enjoying their food and drink during the wonderful shine that graced the gathering at the spacious and welcoming backyard until 3:00 pm.  

Many residents engaged in healthy introductory conversations with service providers, receiving valuable information and resources about various programs and services offered by SCHC, especially about how to access inter-professional primary care, community supports and social services, etc., at our organization and beyond. 

Over 61 individuals (of the total 132 service users) attended the event, receiving information on community resources and referral forms to access inter-professional primary care at SCHC; Many residents participated in the raffle tickets and received valuable grocery gift cards and other giveaways towards the end of the event. Both staff and residents of the facility were cheerful and appreciative, learning more about what SCHC/IPPC do in the community and learn about how our programs and services can support those amazing people in shelters.  

Most importantly, by this autumn, IPPC team is set to work out of this shelter, utilizing the well-equipped room designated for SCHC baes on an efficient rotation of services and programs. Our wonderful team of harm reduction workers Lisa Peel, Leslie Philapil and Joshua Davis did an excellent job working on this few months ago; the harm reduction team’s continued commitment and dedication is commendable as  they discovered this wonderful opportunity and brought it forward to the entire IPPC team to expand it further.  

Currently, the IPPC team is determined to continue the great job with more participation of the residents and service users from the same men’s shelter – a safe, respectful and healthy space where more programs and services are going to be offered by SCHC as we approach the fall season.