We collect basic website visitor information on this website and store it in cookies. We also utilize Google Analytics to track page view information to assist us in improving our website.
We collect basic website visitor information on this website and store it in cookies. We also utilize Google Analytics to track page view information to assist us in improving our website.
Check out short expert videos on latest challenges facing our most vulnerable populations and what we can DO about them!
Check out the promo video to the right and click here to access the The Healthcaring Pulse!
Sign Up to receive a copy of The Pulse to your inbox here.
Our team provides primary healthcare, illness and disease prevention and health promotion education services to vulnerable clients including immigrants, newcomers, and refugees of all ages who live in Kitchener-Waterloo.
We believe in a client-centered, multi-disciplinary, and positive approach to healthcaring. We provide culturally sensitive and language accessible health care to disadvantaged refugees and newcomers to Canada.
Our team provides evidence based, patient centred primary care to refugees in Kitchener-Waterloo through a trauma informed lens.
Our focus is on health promotion and illness prevention as well as addressing social determinants of health to promote the wellbeing of refugees and their community integration.
Community Health Workers who work with clients to support their health and wellness goals, including mental health supports, social connection and isolation, physical activity, and subsidized programming.
Our Community Health Workers utilize a strength’s-based and person-centered approach to support the health and wellbeing of people by using community-based activities and support.
WELCOME TO
As part of our community, we support your health and wellness and work in unity with our partners to provide you with caring and integrated services. Founded by The Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre and Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre, our services are responsive to individual health goals, and together we create healthy communities. We offer evidence-informed, innovative healthcaring for anyone facing barriers to health services, including people who are newcomers, refugees, experiencing homelessness or precarious housing and who are challenged by other social influences of health in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.
Our founding organizations are the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre, which opened in 2000 and the Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre which opened in 2013. Both Health Centres provide care to the most vulnerable in our communities.
Our Primary Location
Book Appointment at 44 Francis St. S.
Our Refugee Health Location
Every month our Community Health Workers facilitate free programs that are open to anyone in the community! Check out our calendar. If you would like to attend a program or have any questions, please connect with our team at 519-745-4404 Ext. 234 or [email protected].
Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo is committed to providing programs and services that are responsive to your individual health goals. Please see below for more information.
Our Primary Health Care Team provides primary healthcare, illness and disease prevention and health promotion education services to vulnerable clients including immigrants, newcomers, and refugees of all ages who live in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.
We believe in a client-centered, multi-disciplinary and positive approach to healthcaring. We provide culturally sensitive and language accessible health care to disadvantaged refugees and newcomers to Canada.
Refugees have health needs that are unique when compared with the general Canadian population. There are more physical disabilities and chronic injuries in this population because of war and other exposure to violence.
Also, mental illness and distress are common in this population due to past traumas. Our health providers draw on specialized medical knowledge and use skills, like cross-cultural communication, to address individual needs and work together with our clients through their healing journey.
Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo, with funding from the Home and Community Care Support Services Waterloo Wellington and in collaboration with St John’s Kitchen, Sanguen Health Centre and The Centre for Family Medicine has launched a full time primary care outreach team. The team includes a Nurse Practitioner, a Medical Doctor, a Nurse and a Community Health Worker who will provide Primary Care to people who may experience barriers to accessing health care, especially those who have experienced or who may be at risk for homelessness.
Our team will support you without judgement. We embrace Harm Reduction principles. We do not require a Health Card number, but can help you get one if you do not have one.
Community Health Workers work with clients to support their health and wellness goals, including mental health supports, social connection and isolation, physical activity, and subsidized programming.
Our Community Health Workers utilize a strength’s-based and person-centered approach to support the health and wellbeing of people by using community-based activities and support.
Breastfeeding Buddies Program: is a volunteer peer-based support program that aims to promote breastfeeding/chestfeeding by helping all families meet their feeding goals through an informed decision-making model of care that aligns with the WHO commitment to child and maternal health.
We provide access to inclusive, credible information via our website, prenatal and parenting workshops (in person and virtual) and multi language peer volunteer team. We empower parents as experts in their children’s lives through empathic, nonjudgmental support.
The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) provides free routine dental services to low-income seniors. Our goal is to provide an accessible, welcoming and professional environment to address the needs of our senior clients from emergency visits to comprehensive dental care to allow everyone to smile with dignity.
Ensuring your health is our primary concern. If you are feeling unwell, please rest and reschedule your appointment.
Other ways we care for you:
The Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre located at 44 Francis Street South, Kitchener is a warming/cooling station. We provide space for the public to get temporary relief from heat or cold, during regular business hours.
Note that Warming and Cooling Centres are intended to provide temporary relief from heat and cold and are not available for extended stays. For additional supports for individuals experiencing homelessness, please reference the pocket card on the Emergency Shelters and Transitional Housing webpage. The pocket card provides a list of locations and contact details for shelters, drop-in and street outreach services across the region. Find Shelter and Support: Pocket Card Reference
A list of all Warming and Cooling Centres by city and township is available on Warming/Cooling Centres page on the Region of Waterloo's website. Note that any temporary changes in regular business hours due to holidays or weather will not be reflected in this list. For temporary changes in business hours, please access the direct website link for each Warming and Cooling Centre. You can view available Warming/Cooling Centres here
Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo is excited to announce the launch of our re-energized Volunteer Program this fall! Stay tuned for more details!
.png)
.png)