Sanguen’s Community Health Van
The Van is on Facebook! Click here to check out our page – we update it frequently!
Why A Community Health Van?
For many years, Sanguen has worked with people who have, or who are at-risk of, Hepatitis C. While doing this work, we recognized one really important fact: people can’t focus on their health if they have other, bigger, important needs.
Unfortunately, people often experience significant barriers to accessing health and social services – even though there are many agencies in the Waterloo region doing incredible work. At Sanguen, we decided that it was time to bring the services to people who need them – and so, in 2015, The Van was launched!
There’s no point in re-inventing the wheel, so we work in partnership with a lot of great agencies who have been providing health and social services for many, many years. The work we do together is client-driven, community supported, and highly responsive.
Since 2015, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive: people are thrilled to see us each week and they continue to spread the word. We know that when we reduce the barriers that stand between people and good health, every member of our community benefits.
More than 350 people visit The Van each week in Waterloo Region – and we are so glad they do!
The Van Schedule.
Tuesday nights
Cambridge – 4:00 to 6:00 pm
Wednesday nights
Waterloo and Kitchener – 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Thursday nights
Kitchener – 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Home deliveries may be available by request in Cambridge, Kitchener, or Waterloo, with 24 hours’ notice.
On nights when The Van is out you can call or text 519-591-4826 to get an update on our location.
What’s Available On The Van?
- snacks and drinks
- clothing
- hygiene products
- referrals to community agencies and supports
- supportive counselling
- testing for Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV and some STIs
- pregnancy testing
- emergency contraception
- nursing services, including vein and wound care
- harm reduction supplies and information
- condoms and lube (including latex-free)
- Naloxone (“narcan”) kits / overdose prevention training
- pick-ups for filled sharps containers (please do not throw them out!)
** Some supplies and services are dependent on stock/availability and staffing.
Many of the items on The Van have been generously donated by individuals in our community – and we are so grateful for their help!
We Need Your Support.
Community support is crucial to the success of The Van. As a registered charity, Sanguen will provide a tax receipt for your donations.
- You can donate to The Van through Canada Helps – just select “Outreach Van Project” from the drop-down menu. If you prefer, you can donate by cheque or cash at our Waterloo office.
- If you’d like to donate food, clothing, hygiene, or other items, please contact Simone (simone@sanguen.com) to find out our current needs.
If you work for an agency or group that offers services or supports, and you’d like to be part of The Van project, we’d love to hear from you! Email our Manager of Outreach, Violet (violet@sanguen.com) or call/text her at 519-574-7222.
Individuals who would like to help put together kits (snacks, hygiene, harm reduction, etc.) are invited to come to our Kit Group on Monday afternoons (2pm to 4pm) at 140 Weber Street East, Suite 3 (“The Community Room”) in Kitchener. For more information, email Simone (simone@sanguen.com).
Contact Us.
The phone number for clients to use when contacting the van is 519-591-4826 This number can be called or texted.
Questions about The Van project can be directed to our Outreach Manager, Violet Umanetz, who can be reached at 519-574-7222 or by email violet@sanguen.com.
For more general information, please contact Sanguen Health Centre at 519-603-0223 or by email at info@sanguen.com
Partners and Supporters!
Our partnership with Region of Waterloo Public Health allows us to provide additional services to our community. A Public Health Nurse is available on The Van to assist with health outreach.
Cambridge Self Help Foodbank and Prime Care Pharmacy Aboretum have supported The Van since our launch in December of 2015. We are so grateful for their ongoing assistance that allows our team to help people across Waterloo region!
COBS Bread (at The Boardwalk) provide The Van with delicious baked goods as part of their End Of Day Giving Program. This allows us to distribute bread, pastries, and more, each week. Yum!
Green Shield Canada’s Community Giving Program provided the initial financial support for The Van (from 2015 to 2017). We are so grateful for their help in getting us out on the road!
