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About

Unison Health and Community Services developed an integrated community hub to house a satellite community health centre and a number of social service providers into a “one stop shop” facility. This complex project benefits a Toronto neighbourhood with a high needs population and limited social infrastructure.

Through an innovative partnership, the Toronto District School Board leased a portion of a high school site to Unison for the development of the hub. The new building complies with the Toronto Green Standard and is designed to high-energy efficiency standards with optimized orientation and solar shading. For occupant comfort, the building provides operable windows for a mixed-mode ventilation system.

Services provided include primary health care, nutrition, social work and

counselling, chiropody, health promotion, employment services, seniors’ activities, youth groups, newcomers and ethno-cultural groups. Meeting and common spaces are shared among the partner organizations. A community garden is located adjacent to the training kitchen where dietary and nutrition programs are offered to local residents.

Capital funding was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), United Way Toronto, the Toronto District School Board, the federal-provincial Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Live Green Toronto and several hub partner agencies. This project was one of eight integrated community hub projects planned in conjunction with United Way Toronto.