Sherbourne Health

National SPRE Accelerator 2025

 

 

Location: Toronto, ON

Website: https://sherbourne.on.ca/

Contact: Melissa Torres, Operations Manager: mtorres@sherbourne.on.ca

Back to all SPRE National Accelerator Profiles

Mission

Sherbourne Health is a dynamic provider of integrated health services, community programs and capacity-building initiatives that enable people and diverse communities to achieve wellness. Sherbourne is proud to provide services to people who may have experienced barriers to accessing health care, including 2SLGBTQ+ people, newcomers, immigrants and refugees, people experiencing homelessness, and those living in the Downtown East Toronto neighbourhood. Their award-winning integrated healthcare and community services address the needs of these communities and include: 

  1. primary care services on site with Family Health Team and via the mobile Health Bus, with the support of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, mental health counsellors, dietitians, community health workers and others; 
  2. medical respite through the 24/7 Acute Respite Care program;
  3. support for people who use substances through the Hep C program and STASH drop-in program; Queer youth programming through Supporting Our Youth;
  4. Settlement supports for newcomers; 
  5. Nutrition and food security resources through the Food for Good and Diabetes Education programs;
  6. System-wide capacity building through the Rainbow Health Ontario program. 

Project

Housing is Health. Sherbourne knows this intersection well, having decades of experience in healthcare delivery for diverse communities who are underhoused or experiencing homelessness. It would be rooted in the understanding that housing is a fundamental social determinant of health, especially in Toronto’s downtown east, where homelessness and housing insecurity are widespread. This vision leverages Sherbourne Health’s expertise and experience, while addressing infrastructure limitations that are hindering the growth and expansion of much-needed health and social service programming. Ultimately, the concept positions Sherbourne Health as a leader in integrated health and housing, demonstrating how physical infrastructure can be transformed to support holistic, equitable care.

In the Accelerator, they will

Ask “what if affordable housing were added to a healthcare and community service delivery model?” They will build internal capacity and development literacy to complete the project objectives, and develop a project road map and business plan. They also strive to confirm the capital stack and create a thorough community engagement plan to ensure neighbours are understanding and supportive of the project and its impact on the community.