Bjorn Poysa

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May 21, 2026

Interviewed by Ghajanthie Jeyatheesan, Communications, Marketing & Social Media Student Intern

Building Trust, One Connection At A Time

Bjorn Poysa, Mobile Health Unit Coordinator for Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities
Photo credits: Mary Newman, The Green Line.

Meeting People Where They Are

I’ve always believed that the most meaningful work happens when you meet people exactly where they are. Not where you expect them to be, and not where systems assume they should be, but where they are at that moment. That belief is what led me to my role as a Mobile Health Unit Coordinator at the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC).

A Journey That Came Full Circle

My path was not linear. In the early 2000s, I studied health and addiction in school and worked in harm reduction, a field that lacked visibility and support it has today. Opportunities were limited, and eventually I transitioned into finance, where I spent about fifteen years building a stable career. The work was fine, and the pay was good, but something was always missing. My background had always been rooted in health, and deep down, I knew I wanted to return to work that felt more meaningful and people focused.

That opportunity came in July 2024 when I joined SCHC as a harm reduction worker with the Hepatitis C team. From that moment, I felt a strong sense of purpose. There’s a different kind of fulfillment that comes from this work. It’s not something you can replicate behind a desk. It lives in conversations, the connections, and the small but meaningful moments that remind you why showing up matters.

The Work Behind The Mobile Health Unit

Today, I coordinate both the Hepatitis C team and the Mobile Health Unit. My days are a balance of planning, communication, and on-the-ground support. I work closely with shelters, drop-ins, supportive housing, and outreach partners to deliver screening and education to priority populations, including individuals who are unhoused, underhoused, using substances, Indigenous, street-involved, or have experienced incarceration. I also help ensure that our mobile services are fully equipped and staffed, so we can consistently meet the needs of the communities we serve.

But beyond logistics, the heart of our work is connection.

While supplies such as hygiene kits, clothing, and harm reduction materials are important, they are only the starting point. Our true goal is to build trust and connect people to the services and supports that can make a lasting difference.

SCHC’s Mobile Health Unit Team collecting needed supplies to take on the Mobile Health Unit.
Photo credits: Amanda Seraphina, The Green Line.

More Than Services: Building Trust

A big part of my role is ensuring that we show up consistently and reliably. If we say we’ll be somewhere, we’re there. Even if that means stepping in at the last minute to cover a shift, I make sure we follow through. That consistency matters more than people might realize. Over time, it builds familiarity and trust.

And trust is everything.

You don’t always see the impact of this work in a single moment. Sometimes it takes weeks or even months. You might speak to someone regularly, exchange a few words here and there, and then one day, they open up. They share something personal, ask for help, or tell you what they really need. Those moments are built on every interaction that comes before them.

Bjorn Poysa assisting clients of the Mobile Health Unit.
Photo credits: Amanda Seraphina, The Green Line.

Strengthening Communities From Within

I’ve come to know many of the people we serve by name. Beyond understanding their needs, I focus on their strengths. Every community has individuals who are already supporting others and creating change in their own ways. By building relationships with them, we are able to support entire communities, not just individuals.

Right now, a big part of our work is developing and refining the Mobile Health Clinic, which is still in its pilot phase. There is a level of trial and error involved as we learn what works, identify gaps, and adapt in real time to better meet people where they are.

It is a role that comes with challenges, but I feel incredibly supported by SCHC and my team. Everyone involved brings genuine care and dedication to the work, and that shared commitment makes all the difference.

Inside of the new Mobile Health Clinic.

Guided By Values And Lived Experience

If I think about what led me here, a big part of it comes down to my values. I’ve always been deeply affected by inequity, particularly the reality that not everyone has equal access to resources, support, or opportunity. I’ve always felt pulled to help bridge that gap, even in small ways.

On a more personal level, my wife has a disability and lived experience that has shaped both of our lives. We have been together for 24 years, and growing alongside her has deepened my understanding of the barriers people face. Because it was such a significant part of her journey, it became important to me as well. It’s taught me a great deal about resilience, empathy, and the importance of meaningful support systems.

Connection, Inside And Outside Of Work

Outside of work, I’ve always been someone who enjoys being outdoors. Whether it’s camping with my family or staying active, I value being out in the community and on the move. In many ways, that naturally aligns with outreach work, which is centered on being present, accessible, and engaged in the community.

At the end of the day, what keeps me going is simple: connection.

Even a simple conversation can make a difference. Showing someone they are seen, heard, and valued can have a lasting impact. And I’ll admit, there’s something a little selfish in that too. It brings a sense of fulfillment that I haven’t found anywhere else.

For anyone interested in community-based healthcare, my advice is simple. Your heart has to be in it. Every person you meet will have their own unique story, their own needs, and their own priorities. It’s about staying open, asking, understanding, and meeting them where they are.

And sometimes, it starts with something as simple as a smile.

Because a good smile really does go a long way.

The new Mobile Health Clinic, ready to meet people where they are at.

As SCHC continues to grow its Mobile Health Unit and expand its outreach services, our focus remains the same: meeting people where they are and building trust through consistent, compassionate care.

Learn more about our Mobile Health Unit, Hepatitis C program, and other outreach services on our website!