Authentic Inclusion and Resilient Community Care
Navigating the complexities of inclusivity, CCHC redefines community health strategies by centering lived experiences and embracing the challenge of equity-driven innovation.
The Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC) is a community-based healthcare organization that serves as a primary healthcare center and offers a wide range of services to meet the health and well-being needs of the local community.
Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC), embarked on a strategic renewal to enhance its broad spectrum of services. Renowned for its commitment to marginalized and diverse populations, CCHC offers primary care, mental health support, dental care, and counseling, targeting groups like 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC, newcomers, and vulnerable seniors.
The Challenge
Inclusivity, often commodified in the past, demands intentionality. As the pandemic unearthed layers of inequity, CCHC faced dual pressures: adapting to shifting community needs while meeting integration demands as part of the Ontario Health Team. It wasn’t just about creating a strategic plan for 2023–2026; it was about rewriting the playbook on how equity-centered healthcare operates.
Our Approach
CCHC’s strategy embraced the complexity of authentic inclusivity, guided by three pillars:
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- Design Justice in Action:
- Grounded in principles that shift power to those most impacted, the process amplified voices typically sidelined.
- Seven community advisors from equity-deserving groups were compensated for their contributions as core committee members.
- Collaboration Beyond Tokenism:
- Extensive listening sessions and advisory inputs ensured decisions reflected lived experiences rather than theoretical assumptions.
- Staff, board, and community members co-created strategies with clear accountability.
- Equity with Precision:
- CCHC prioritized populations with intersecting barriers, such as newcomers navigating systemic inequities, ensuring specificity in equity goals.
- Acknowledging the strength of existing community solutions, the strategy amplified grassroots efforts instead of imposing new frameworks.
- Design Justice in Action:
The Impact
CCHC’s strategic plan is a testament to what’s possible when inclusion moves beyond performative. Outcomes include:
- A New Benchmark in Community Health:
An adaptable, equity-driven roadmap addressing current challenges while building capacity for future resilience. - Deeper Accountability:
Processes and structures reflect a commitment to those most affected, transforming power dynamics within community health. - Sustainable Innovation:
From hybrid care models addressing digital inequity to systems-level advocacy for Indigenous healing practices, CCHC’s initiatives set the stage for durable progress.
Manal recently completed the strategic planning process for our organization and it was a delight to work with her. Several things stood out for me in her facilitation style. We had made the decision to include several individuals with lived experience to participate on our Strategic Planning Advisory Committee and she and her consulting partner work with us to design processes that engaged and supported our Community Consultants in this process as it meant adapting our sessions to ensure space and time was provided for them to ask all the questions they needed to full engage. We had to adjust our timelines and processes several times due to the ongoing pressures of the pandemic and of the convoy occupation. Each time Manal support us with compassion and structure. Her level of preparedness for each session was exceptional and we are exceptionally pleased with our final outcome. Manal’s strong organizational skills, exceptional facilitation skills, and wide knowledge and expertise in health and social services helped ensure a strong strategic plan in the end. Would definitely recommend her!
