Health – TWC Interactive

Developing A Social Medicine Hub

Joe Mancini June 5, 2026

Every day at St. John’s Kitchen we witness a drug crisis that continues to grow. We see sons and daughters, sisters and brothers lost to a drug trade that leaves lasting scars and horrific damage to body and psyche. We know it is a violation of human dignity and community solidarity. How can we respond to help reduce the level of poverty, the lack of connection, the lack of housing, the bitterness of being left to fight for one’s own survival?

St. John’s Kitchen and A Community of Supports

Roger Gilbert March 1, 2026

If you stand by the doors of the new St. John’s Kitchen, you see the constant flow as people come in and out. Some go immediately left to access showers, washrooms, laundry; others turn right to enter the dining room and select a table either alone or with friends. Each day some 350-400 people visit the space.

The Growing Tragedy of Fentanyl and the Potential for Recovery

Sam Quinones September 1, 2025

The following text is reprinted from the Dreamland Newsletter report on the Kensington area in Philadelphia, PA

I’ve been several times to the district in Philadelphia where dealers awaken their customers each morning with cries of free “Samples!” Kensington was once all about heroin. But fentanyl has taken over and addicts are frozen in bizarre positions — “Kensington yoga,” as it’s called.

Stories of Determined Hope

The Working Centre September 1, 2025

A young man in his early 30’s repeatedly visited the Emergency Department – 1800 times in three years. He appeared to be shelter seeking, but in reality had an untreated/undiagnosed mental health issue. Our team advocated for a longer term mental health admission and visited him in hospital every day, building trust and offering support for his wound care and mental health. He was discharged to King Street Shelter and when that shelter closed, we helped support him to interim housing.

Specialized Outreach Services

The Working Centre March 1, 2025

Our Specialized Outreach Services (SOS) is a mobile multidisciplinary team that supports individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are precariously housed and who are experiencing medical, mental health and/or substance use concerns. SOS is designed to provide low barrier clinical care to individuals who may have difficultly accessing other traditional supports. The SOS team is comprised of social workers, nurses and outreach workers who work alongside physicians, nurse practitioners, hospitals, police, and the court/probation system.

The Rose Bird by Helen Davies

Darren Denomme March 1, 2025

The Rose Bird is a beautifully written book providing a mother’s perspective on loving and losing her daughter to fentanyl. The author, Helen Davies, gives a raw account of the life of her daughter Katie, the tragic story of the life and struggles of a young woman who eventually is taken from this world by addiction and mental health issues.

Dental Clinic Support

The Working Centre March 1, 2025

Community Dental has been fortunate to receive a grant from the Accerta Health Access Foundation Grant to support volunteer Dentists and Hygienists to provide dental services to those individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We appreciate the help of Joe Cheira, Co-ordinator for Government Relations and Advocacy, Ontario Dental Association for helping to make this grant possible. This year there have been 9 dentists and 2 hygienists who volunteered at Community Dental and three other volunteers who help in the clinic.

Harden Not Our Hearts

Stephanie Mancini December 1, 2024

Driving through rural Ontario, it is not unusual to see signs with Christian messages surrounded by colourful leaves at this time of year. I was struck recently by one sign that read, “Harden not your heart”. As we were driving by this sign, we were also receiving updates from our shelter team that there were four overdoses happening at the same time.

Searching for Wholeness

Joe Mancini September 20, 2024

All around us, we have seen higher levels of anger expressed in political and social environments. You see this in relation to politics, you see it in the eyes of enraged drivers, and we have seen it in our community as people reconcile the realities of more and more people experiencing homelessness and drug addiction, especially around shelters and spaces that support people most at risk.

Construction Update at 97 Victoria

Katherine Bitzer September 20, 2024

97 Victoria will focus on the combination of housing, health and community, supporting those most left out of services, and connecting people with mental health and addiction supports. We are excited that the building of the 44 new units of housing is well underway. Also exciting is that the foundation for the new St. John’s Kitchen building is set to begin in mid-September.

Tag: Health