Health Centre and Nursery

Our Health Centre provides a wide range of vital medical, psychiatric and dental services – all free. An average of 40 to 50 young people and their infants come to the centre every day to be seen by one of the 50-plus health care professionals who donate their services. Prescription medications and immunizations are available free of charge, as are eye examinations and prescription eyeglasses.

The Nursery provides free childcare for infants and toddlers while their parents access other Evergreen services, including workshops and resources. Our baby food bank provides young parents in need with formula, baby food, diapers and other important supplies.

Counselling – Each of our psychotherapists counsels between 15 and 20 young men and women.   This essential service helps bring stability to the lives of street-impacted youth.  They learn how to deal with past traumas, develop good relationships with others and become productive members of society.

Psychiatry – This service provides psychotherapy and appropriate medication for youth dealing with mental health issues.  Our psychiatrist oversees the care and treatment of some eight to ten young people each week, helping them overcome issues that have held them back in life.

Medical Care – Each day, some 20 to 30 youth  receive medical care from our excellent nursing staff and volunteer health care practitioners.  These services, provided in our Health Centre, are designed to help street youth stay healthy, thus making it possible for them to retain employment or attend school more consistently.

Foot Clinic – Every Tuesday afternoon a group of volunteer nurses offer foot care to youth, which includes: medical assessment, treatment of callouses, foot massage and a clean pair of socks. The clinic also offers a shoe exchange to youth whose shoes are worn out.

Optometry – Trained optometrists offer eye exams and prescriptions for glasses.

Dental Care – We provide top-notch dental care for four to eight patients in our Health Centre each day.  Our goal is to assure that street-impacted youth are not struggling with painful dental issues, or dealing with other health problems that can result from infected or decaying teeth.

Parenting Workshops – Every quarter throughout the year, we offer a series of workshops to help young moms and dads become better parents.  We provide a safe, secure setting where they not only learn how to parent, but are also encouraged express their concerns and talk about the challenges they face.

Dialogue on Sex and Life – We offer a number of workshops designed to help street youth make responsible decisions about sex, teach them how to keep themselves safe, and confront  myths about sexual practice that may put them at risk.  Free condoms are available in our Health Centre to help these young men and women avoid sexually transmitted diseases and practice safe sex.

Prenatal counseling – Every pregnant woman who comes to Evergreen meets with a City of Toronto Public Health prenatal nurse.  She learns what to expect during her pregnancy, receives a variety of supports during and after her pregnancy, and is encouraged to attend our parenting workshops.  Our goal is to help her become the best mother she can possibly be.

All Evergreen services are free and confidential.

Evergreen Medical Care includes:

• Treatment for illness and injury
• Prenatal care and classes
• Child care and parental relief
• Coaching during labour and delivery
• Medical checkups
• Lab tests conducted on-site, including ANONYMOUS HIV testing
• Immunization for babies and adults
• Nursery program for infants and toddlers
• Baby food bank

Evergreen Dental Care includes:

• Teeth cleaning and dental hygiene
• X-rays
• Fillings
• Extractions
• Oral surgery

Evergreen Optometry offers:

• Eye examinations
• Prescription eyeglasses

Evergreen Health Education offers courses on:

• Prenatal care and parenting
• Sexual health

Other Evergreen services:

• Psychiatry
• Chiropractic care
• Naturopathy
• Physiotherapy
• Foot clinic and sock exchange
• Assistance in getting health cards
• Referrals
• Child care