What lies at the root of all we do?
The true value of the Community Health Centre (CHC) model of care is in its deep and lasting impact on the diverse and dynamic people we serve, on the communities where our programs and services come to life, and within the broader healthcare system we help strengthen and sustain every day.
Rooted in community and health equity, we deliver compassionate and connected healthcare in East Toronto, serving individuals from equity deserving populations and those with complex healthcare needs. Team-based primary care is the foundation of who we are and what we do. We take a holistic, whole-person approach to improving health and supporting physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being within a healthcare system that continues to perpetuate systemic racism and discrimination.
Working alongside our many partners, we connect people with a range of services to reduce barriers to care and address the social determinants of health, including allied health services, social work, health promotion and education, mental health and support groups, and recreational and fitness programming. Through our strategic partnerships with organizations within the Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) and other CHCs across Downtown and East Toronto, we broaden our reach and contribute to meaningful systems transformation, providing supports and services when and where they are needed most.
Whether at one of our six locations, at our partner sites or out in the community, people not only receive the primary healthcare they need, they also build lasting social relationships – and some become active advocates for and volunteers supporting vulnerable populations.
It’s this vision for a caring and inclusive future where everyone feels welcome, seen, and heard that continues to inspire us. Each day our dedicated staff turn insights into action: through research, innovation, and knowledge-sharing, our goal is to ensure our work resonates meaningfully across the healthcare system and within the lives of people we’re here to serve.
In this report, we’re proud to share highlights from our most forward-thinking programs and services that best reflect our impact and commitment to meeting people where they are and growing a healthier and happier community, together.
Thank you for taking part in the journey.
Sincerely,
Shannon and Emily
Board of Directors
Emily Hill (chair)
Bella Bereket
Matthew Yun-Chun Cheng Arman Hamidian Rebecca Ho
Aparna Kajenthira Rishma Pradhan
Dr. Philip Berger
Nisha Hariharan
Riannon John
Edward Speicher
Anne Simard
Pictured (left to right)
Back row: Anne Simard, Bella Bereket, Edward Speicher, Emily Hill
Front row: Shannon Wiens, Nisha Hariharan, Rebecca Ho
Welcome from New CEO Shannon Wiens
After 24 years of working at South Riverdale CHC, starting as a health promoter and growing from there, I was honoured to accept the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in November 2024. It’s in my new role that I’m excited to share SRCHC’s 2024-25 Annual Report.
It’s been a year of significant changes. We’ve taken bold steps forward, celebrating the launch of several new innovative programs, such as the Early Pregnancy Clinic at Michael Garron Hospital. But we’ve also faced some tough moments.
On March 21, 2025, we permanently closed keepSIX, the Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS) site we’ve operated since 2019, following a government directive. This vital service saved hundreds of lives and connected people who use drugs to essential wrap-around care. keepSIX is irreplaceable and its absence is deeply felt. SRCHC will continue to find ways to serve clients who used keepSIX as valued members of our community.
Our commitment to providing equitable access to healthcare remains strong and we’re encouraged by the government’s promised $1.8 billion investment to expand access to primary healthcare for everyone—a step in the right direction. This year, we launched Primary CONNECT, a partnership project with Parkdale Queen West CHC and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) that’s connecting underserved individuals to primary care.
As a community-based primary care organization, we see this transformation (which is led by Dr. Jane Philpott and the province’s Primary Care Action Team) as a game-changer. Their goal is to ensure that everyone in the province has access to a “health home” that includes a team of health professionals and links to social supports and community services.
At South Riverdale CHC, we embody this vision of a health home. Like many CHCs, we provide low-barrier, connected healthcare rooted in community to every person we serve, including newcomers, people living with chronic conditions, and individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. The government’s new direction reinforces the work we’re proud to do in East Toronto.
Please keep reading to find out how we make it happen – just as we have for almost 50 years.