About Us
Regional
Essential
Access to
Connected
Healthcare
We serve people who do not have a doctor.
REACH Niagara works with and operates primary care medical clinics that are staffed part-time by healthcare professionals. We serve people who do not have a doctor. Our goal is to put healthcare within REACH for the homeless and marginalized in Niagara. We manage 80% or more of the cases we see; we refer to specialists when needed.
We connect people with local family practices or Community Health Centres such as Quest, and care for them until they are accepted into care. We connect people with mental health services, required specialist services, foot care, wound care and dental assessments as required. As we grow, we will provide access to an increasing range of marginalized people in Niagara, such as migrant agricultural workers, immigrants, refugees and others.
REACH Team.
Compassionate Care.
We treat all with dignity, kindness and compassion. We are responsive to people’s needs and facilitate access to healthcare. We respect one another and meet people ‘where they are at’.
Our Partners.
We are grateful to our community partners for their support in our mission to make healthcare accessible for the homeless and marginalized in Niagara.
To view a list of our partners, visit our Community Partners webpage.
Land Acknowledgement.
REACH Niagara acknowledges the land on which we live and work is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum agreement.
We believe that it is important to recognize the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples for their care and teachings about the earth and our relations.
We are dedicated to moving forward in the spirit of partnership, collaboration, and reconciliation, as we learn together and contemplate the possibilities that lay ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is REACH Niagara?
Regional Essential Access to Connected Health (REACH) Niagara is a group of community healthcare professionals and volunteers dedicated to providing general medical services to the marginalized population in Niagara and connecting them with existing available healthcare services.
The team’s initial “Out REACH” began with the establishment of two clinics in St. Catharines shelters with regularly scheduled times for patient drop-ins. Since then, our team has grown and we are able to provide care and expertise in several clinics across the Niagara region, including operating a Mobile Health Clinic in partnership with TELUS Health.
Who works with REACH?
REACH represents a new and growing collaborative between primary care (local physicians/ nurse practitioners, community health clinics, Family Health Teams), key stakeholders across the health and social care sectors (homeless shelters, Niagara Region Public Health, EMS), people with lived experience, and academic institutions (McMaster and Brock Universities).
What is REACH's mission?
Ensure access to health care is within REACH for the homeless and marginalized in Niagara.
REACH represents a new and growing collaborative between primary care (local physicians/ nurse practitioners, community health clinics, Family Health Teams), key stakeholders across the health and social care sectors (homeless shelters, Niagara Region Public Health, EMS) and people with lived experience, and academic institutions (McMaster and Brock Universities).
Why was REACH created?
Niagara has 50,000+ individuals living below the low -income measure. Currently 4 community health clinics (CHC’s) across the Niagara Region prioritize improving the health & wellbeing of populations who face barriers to accessing health services. Each Niagara CHC works hard to serve 5000 individuals in their respective communities. However, this leaves a gap of approximately 30,000 individuals in Niagara without access to medical services.
Am I eligible to be seen by a REACH Niagara healthcare professional?
REACH Niagara serves those from marginalized populations in Niagara, specifically homeless people who do not have a family doctor.
As we continue growing our network of healthcare professionals, our REACH will expand to serve members from other marginalized communities.
What healthcare services are offered by REACH?
REACH Niagara has a growing number of healthcare professionals, including doctors, paramedics, foot-care providers, nurse practitioners, social workers and community outreach workers.
REACH medical professionals refer patients to specialists when needed, complete preventative treatments including vaccination, pap tests, blood pressure treatments, etc. and collaborate with partners to provide additional services such as pharmacy, dental care, foot care and trauma counselling.
Common health conditions seen by our team include mental health and addictions conditions; chronic pain; skin conditions such as rashes, spots, sores, infections; contraception requests; injuries such as cuts, bruises, sprains, broken bones; chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease; abdominal pain; headaches; and arthritis.
If you are a healthcare professional who is interested in volunteering your services to help REACH Niagara provide care to more people, or would like more information about opportunities, please email info@reachniagara.com.
How and where can I access healthcare services from REACH?
REACH Niagara healthcare professionals provide services at a number of clinics across the Niagara region, as well as in our Mobile Health Clinic. Please visit our website for a list of clinics: www.reachniagara.com/clinics.
Hours may vary between locations.
- For more information about the Southridge Shelter, please call (905) 682-2477.
- For more information about The Hope Centre, please call (905) 788-0744.
- For more information on the Mobile Health Clinic, please email info@reachniagara.com or call (289) 271-7363.
Patients are seen on a drop-in, first-come-first-serve basis during the hours of the clinic.
I have a family doctor, but there is a long wait time to see them, can I access services from REACH?
Unfortunately at this time, we are not able to see those who have a family doctor. Please refer to ‘What other healthcare resources are available for marginalized populations in the Niagara Region?’ to see further options for accessing healthcare in Niagara.
How do I contact REACH Niagara for further information?
To contact REACH Niagara for further information about healthcare services, as well as donor, volunteer and partnership opportunities, please email info@reachniagara.com or call (289) 271-7363.
How can I support REACH Niagara?
There are a number of ways you can support REACH and our mission to ensure healthcare is accessible for the homeless and marginalized in Niagara:
- Sign up for our email list: https://bit.ly/3mD2c2d
- Make a donation: https://bit.ly/3llym1g
- Become a community partner: info@reachniagara.com
Volunteer your healthcare services: info@reachniagara.com
What other healthcare resources are available for marginalized populations in Niagara Region?
Below is a list of resources for those seeking care in Niagara:
- For a list of emergency and urgent care centres, visit the Niagara Health website.
- For a list of walk-in clinics in Niagara, please visit the HNHB Healthline website.
- For mental health and addictions telephone support for those over the age of 16, please contact the Access Line: 1-866-550-5205 or visit www.accesslineniagara.com.
- For children’s mental health support, visit Pathstone’s Immediate Options webpage.
- For a list of mental health and addictions resources, visit the Niagara Health website.
- To help you find the right community and social services, dial 211 (or 905-682-6611 or 1-800-263-3695). Visit www.incommunities.ca/en/211-niagara/ for more information.
- Visit the Niagara Region Public Health website for more information on the services provided.
- For healthcare options in Ontario, visit the Ontario Government website.