The Parkdale Community Health Centre (PCHC) was established in 1984 as a non-profit and charitable organization serving priority populations in a defined area within Bloor Street, Lake Ontario, Dovercourt Road and Parkside. It focused on serving seniors, low-income families, new immigrants, and individuals dealing with mental health issues.
In the early days, it started humbly in the Parkdale Neighbourhood Church but soon secured a permanent location at 1257 Queen Street West, thanks to the generosity of a private donor. Today, the Centre stands proud at 1229 Queen Street West, a testament to years of hard work and the unwavering support of the community and government.
Over the years, PCHC has grown significantly, expanding its services, programs, and team. We’ve also added facilities like the Parkdale Addiction Treatment Satellite, the first methadone clinic approved in Ontario, which was later merged with an established addictions service agency, Breakaway to serve our community better.
We have been able to offer free dental services to low-income children, adults, and seniors since 2011, thanks to Healthy Smiles Ontario. In 2012, we welcomed the Women’s Health Centre Programs from St. Joseph’s Hospital and opened a satellite office at Queen Street West and Roncesvalles Avenue. The same year, we opened a community kitchen and food hub in partnership with the West End Food Co-op.
Milestones
1982: Parkdale residents form a committee to pursue a community goal – to establish a much-needed community health centre.
1983: Needs assessment completed. Parkdale CHC is incorporated.
1984: Funding is approved by the District Health Council of Metropolitan Toronto and the Ministry of Health after that.
- The first three staff are hired: Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, and Health Educator.
- An interim office opens at 1624 Queen Street West.
December 1984: Once Parkdale CHC opens to the public, staffing is expanded to include 1.5 physicians, one primary care nurse, and one receptionist. Programs and services begin.
1985: Multicultural health promotion begins.
1988: Violence against women program established.
1989: Seniors program launched.
- Move to 1257 Queen Street West.
1990: Street health program begins.
1991: Needle Exchange program initiated.
1993: The Parkdale Addiction Treatment Satellite program was established to provide treatment for opiate drug users.
1994: PCHC is granted capital funds to build a new facility.
1998: PCHC moves into its current location at 1229 Queen Street West.
- Naturopathic medicine services begin to be offered in partnership with the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.
- Programs for homeless individuals begin.
2002: First accreditation by Building Healthier Organizations.
2004: Partners for Parkdale Health start planning for oral health services.
2006: West End Oral Health Clinic is launched.
2007: Diabetes program begins.
2011: Healthy Smiles Ontario Dental Clinic opens.
2012: PCHC receives transfer of Women’s Health Centre programs from St. Joe’s Hospital and opens a satellite location to house them.
- West End Food Co-op opens in the PCHC basement.
2014: PCHC celebrates 30 years of serving the community.
2017: PCHC and Queen West – Central Toronto CHCs come together in a voluntary integration.
The Parkdale Community Health Centre (PCHC) was developed by a group of residents who, from 1982 to 1984, negotiated to establish a community health centre in the Parkdale area with the Ministry of Health, Community Health Branch. The organization was incorporated as Parkdale Community Health Centre, a non-profit and charitable organization. The catchment area was defined as bounded by Bloor Street on the north side, Lake Ontario on the south side, Dovercourt Road on the east side, and Parkside on the west side. Within that area, the following groups were considered priority populations: seniors, low-income families, new immigrants, and those dealing with mental health issues.
In 1984, funding was approved, and the Board hired the Executive Director, the Administrative Assistant and the Health Educator. The Ministry of Health allowed for a pre-operational period of only four (4) months. During that period, the staff worked at the Parkdale Neighbourhood Church (later replaced by a mall). A site for a permanent location was selected at 1257 Queen Street West. Funds for the necessary construction were obtained from a private source. (a friend of one Board member who believed in investing in the new community health centre). In those days, capital funds were not available from the MOHLTC were unavailable, and banks would not consider loans to a newly funded organization. Strong relationships were developed with local agencies and institutions, especially St. Joseph’s Hospital. Programs were developed, and reception staff and clinical providers were hired. Operational systems were defined and prepared for implementation. The official opening was on December 8, 1984. The first patient was seen on November 26, 1984.
“PCHC added services for street-involved populations, and in 1993, an additional site, Parkdale Addiction Treatment Satellite, was added. In 2000, PCHC’s Board of Directors had to make a tough decision to approve the satellite merger with an established addiction agency, Breakaway. This merger benefited the service users and helped preserve methadone treatment spaces. PCHC maintained a connection to the satellite by cross-appointing with the Breakaway Board of Directors.”
In May 1998, the Centre moved into a new home at 1229 Queen Street West. The current facility is one that staff, clients and the community can be proud of. It resulted from four years of hard work, persistence and great support from the Board, staff, community members and the government. We celebrated our official opening in the new building on September 13 and 14, 1998.
In 2011, Healthy Smiles Ontario opened a dental clinic on our first floor to offer free services to low-income children, adults, and seniors. In 2012, we received a transfer of Women’s Health Centre Programs from St. Joseph’s Hospital and expanded by opening a satellite office at Queen Street West and Roncesvalles Avenue. Also, that year, we partnered with the West End Food Co-op to open a community kitchen and food hub in our basement.