In a significant step toward promoting public health and wellness, the North Western Toronto (NWT) Ontario Health Team (OHT) has celebrated the grand opening of The HUB@2115 at Humber River Health’s Finch Campus. This innovative community hub is designed to address longstanding barriers to healthcare access by integrating health and social services in one centralized location. Its goal is to improve access, coordination, wait times, and outcomes for residents of North Western Toronto, particularly those facing chronic health conditions and social inequities.
A holistic approach to health and wellness
The HUB@2115 offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at addressing the full spectrum of health and social care needs. From mental health support to diabetes education, The HUB@2115 serves as a one-stop shop for the community, ensuring that critical resources are available to those who need them most.
“We have created a space where health and social care come together under one roof, providing a centralized point of access for those who need it most,” says Barb Collins, President and CEO of Humber River Health and Co-Chair of the Senior Executive Committee for the NWT OHT. “This hub is the embodiment of our shared mission to make healthcare more accessible, more equitable, and more responsive to the unique needs of our community.”
Compared to the rest of Ontario, The HUB@2115 serves a community with a greater prevalence of chronic conditions and a higher population of seniors aged 80 years and older, many of whom live alone. The community has poor access to mental healthcare, alongside having one of the highest needs for primary care in the province. By offering a centralized location for various equity-based health and social services, The HUB@2115 aims to improve accessibility for residents who might otherwise face challenges in obtaining the care they need.
Partners and public health initiatives
The launch of The HUB@2115 was made possible through the dedicated collaboration of Black Creek Community Health Centre serving as a lead agency, in addition to several key partners, including the Working Women Community Health Centre, COSTI, The Jane/Finch Centre, Across Boundaries, Reconnect, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) along with NWT OHT and Humber River Health.
Their collective efforts ensure that The HUB@2115 provides a wide range of services tailored to the diverse needs of the community, including settlement services, employment services, health and social care navigation, mental health and well-being supports, and diabetes education and counselling. Importantly, these services are available without the need for a valid health card, ensuring that support is accessible to everyone in the community. By consolidating services in one location, The HUB@2115 is also able to reduce wait times and improve care outcomes for individuals who may have previously struggled to navigate a fragmented system.
“We know the population of North Western Toronto faces many barriers to health and social care,” says Cheryl Prescod, Executive Director of Black Creek Community Health Centre, and Co-Chair of the Senior Executive Committee for the NWT OHT. “The care navigators and providers working in this Hub, in close proximity to services across health and social sectors, are experts helping people get connected to the right services and supports, and reducing barriers.”
The launch event for The HUB@2115 included a tour of the facility, offering attendees an opportunity to connect with partners and learn more about the incredible programs and services that will be offered. This hands-on experience highlighted the commitment to addressing community needs through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions.
Looking ahead
The opening of The HUB@2115 marks a major milestone in improving community health in North Western Toronto. With a strong focus on equity, The HUB@2115 aims to close the gaps in healthcare access that have disproportionately affected marginalized populations. Programs like mental health counseling and diabetes education are tailored to the unique needs of the community, empowering residents to take control of their health.
As The HUB@2115 continues to advance, it will remain responsive to community feedback, ensuring that its services meet the evolving needs of the population. This commitment to flexibility and continuous improvement is key to promoting long-term wellness across North Western Toronto.
The vision behind The HUB@2115 is simple yet powerful: to create a healthier community by addressing the social, mental, and physical factors that contribute to well-being. By doing so, this innovative hub sets a new standard for public health and wellness initiatives in Ontario, offering a blueprint for how healthcare can be reimagined to better serve the needs of all people.