NEWS RELEASE
REACH NIAGARA
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Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) provided funding to REACH Niagara, aimed at launching a new program focused on providing care and support strategies for individuals exiting the justice system or those at risk of involvement in it within the Niagara Region. This new program entitled Transitions into Comprehensive Care (TICC) represents a fresh approach to transitional assistance, prioritizing the health and well-being of these individuals.
With a funding amount of $3.5 million, Health Canada highlights the increasing demand for targeted programming and reinforces the federal government’s dedication to addressing these critical needs.
“The demand for essential services within our community is growing at an overwhelming pace,” said Carolyn Dyer, Executive Director of REACH Niagara. “There is a profound divide between the general population and the equity-deserving community—a divide that spans social, economic, political, and service-related barriers. Access to foundational healthcare, a basic human right, is often denied or unavailable to this population. This is unacceptable.
The federal support from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) is not only vital to our organization’s ability to operate and expand but also serves as a powerful signal of the commitment required to combat this silent crisis. Thanks to this funding, REACH Niagara can introduce a transformative new program to address these urgent needs.”
Preparation for this new program is well underway with an expected start date in the first quarter 2025.
“Here in St. Catharines, just like many other communities across Canada, we’re seeing substance use harms continue to take a tragic toll on our families and friends,” said Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, “We are committed to supporting organizations who are on the ground in communities, helping to keep people who use substances safe. There is no one size fits all solution to the toxic illegal drug and overdose crisis, but we will continue to work together to help save lives.”
Celebration of Partnership
On Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. REACH Niagara and Start Me Up Niagara are hosting a celebration of partnership. The two organizations are excited to announce a brand new shared workspace located at 211 Church St., St. Catharines. This newly renovated space houses The Work Action Centre which provides a full range of employment services including a focus on clients that identify with having a disability. The new location also offers much needed room for Start Me Up Niagara’s executive and support staff as well as REACH Niagara’s first permanent “bricks and mortar” office.
This collaboration demonstrates the power of partnerships and the sharing of resources among Niagara’s non profits.
“Collaboration and teamwork seems to be on the front burner of every conversation within the non-profit community.” Says Start Me Up Niagara’s Executive Director Laura Dumas. She continues “The need has never been greater and the resources have never been stretched more thin to meet these demands. I am proud of Start Me Up Niagara and the work that we do. I know that REACH Niagara’s presence in this new shared space will be tremendously positive for our organization and more importantly for our clients and community.”
The event will also feature representatives from Health Canada making a formal funding announcement of the new funding made available to REACH Niagara and a ribbon cutting officially opening of the new space.
This enhanced footprint in the heart of the Queenston Street Neighbourhood in St. Catharines for these two organizations is intentional. “We provide healthcare where people are at. Through our mobile health clinic, at community partner clinics and through our encampment care teams, it only makes sense to have our home office now be located with one of our strongest community partners so close to areas that we serve.” says Carolyn Dyer of REACH Niagara.
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