Ottawa Inner City Health

02/04/2026

We had such a wonderful time at the art show last week at The Ottawa Mission Art Show! The event highlighted the beautiful and meaningful creations from clients and staff of the Expressive Arts Program It was inspiring to see how creativity, community, and healing come together through the arts. Huge thanks to everyone who helped bring this showcase to life, and to the artists who shared their incredible work.

02/03/2026

It’s Heart Month ❤️ A time to educate on the signs of heart attacks, encourage CPR training, and promote healthy habits that help prevent cardiovascular disease. As a healthcare organization, this month is important to us! Your heart works hard for you, so let’s return the favour!

02/02/2026

It is Black History Month, and we encourage folks to take a moment to reflect on what this means for you. Here are some thoughts on how this month connects to our work and our space. We hope you’ll take a moment to think about how Black history shows up in your own contexts too.

We encourage you to explore these resources for additional learning:

https://drugpolicy.ca/resources/guides/history
https://drugpolicy.ca/resources/guides/racism
https://www.hivlegalnetwork.ca/site/its-not-so-simple/?lang=en
https://www.hivlegalnetwork.ca/site/know-your-rights-on-drug-laws-for-african-caribbean-and-black-acb-people-who-use-drugs-2/?lang=en

01/29/2026

01/28/2026

Did you know that our block leaders do winter outreach in the community? They are in need of winter supplies, and donations can be dropped off at our office. Thank you for your support!

01/27/2026

✨ Huge gratitude to Tired Soles for providing free foot care to our community! Their team went above and beyond, meeting our folks with disabilities with kindness, patience, and support, even helping them to and from the clinic. Thank you to the amazing team who made it all happen 💙👣

01/26/2026

For the second year in a row, we welcomed Algonquin College Paramedic students into our TED and Trailer programs! This partnership helps future first responders gain real-world experience supporting unhoused community members and those navigating mental health or substance use challenges. Here is what some of the students had to say about their experience!

01/23/2026

Let’s talk about what actually works to reduce homelessness and how we pay for it. Join us for a community conversation on funding, building, and scaling supportive housing, with real-world examples from Toronto and Ottawa. Featuring leaders in supportive housing and a panel with federal, provincial, and municipal representatives, including OICH CEO Rob Boyd!!

Tickets: https://lnkd.in/eBvg2Tkj

01/20/2026

Join the Street Medicine Institute on Jan 29 at 4:00 PM EST for the launch of the Street Mental Health Handbook, featuring OICH’s very own Dr. Simon Hatcher and Kim Van Herk alongside Liz Frye. This practical guide blends lived experience, clinical insight, and frontline street medicine wisdom. Hear from an international panel, join the author Q&A, and receive a discount code. Three attendees will also win a free copy!

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qCr5JodyRA-uZi2XhsQeCw #/registration

01/19/2026

The work we do definitely isn’t always glamorous, and some days it’s decidedly the opposite. Here’s a HUGE shoutout to Liam Hall, RPN, for bravely facing the frontline battle with lice in our TED program!

01/15/2026

Ottawa is expected to feel as cold as -27°C today, and the heavy snowfall and storms aren’t helping. This weather poses serious risks for unhoused individuals, making it even more critical to ensure access to warming spaces and emergency resources. Scan the QR code for more info!

01/14/2026

It’s Dress Up Your Pet Day! 🐾 Check out these adorable pets from our OICH team! What better day to spotlight Mary’s Pet Food and Supplies Bank? As always, you can bring donations to our head office or give us a call for more details!