“Having the opportunity to do outreach like this is everything. With the mobile clinic, we can pull up on a street, park, and connect with people right where they are.
I’ve been out in the van over 40 times now through the Toronto Community Hep C Program, and what stands out is how much it changes the interaction. Being able to invite someone into a warm space, offer a snack or even just a pair of socks, have a real conversation, offer Hep C testing, and connect them to whatever they need at that moment — it makes a difference.
Most people we meet are grateful that we come to them. The van creates a space where people feel more at ease, and the honesty that comes out of those conversations is incredible. When I share that I’ve been through the Hep C Program myself, you can feel a shift — people open up.
For me, this work is meaningful. It doesn’t feel like work. It’s about supporting people without judgment and meeting them in the realities of their lives. Even if someone isn’t ready to take the next step, they know we’re here — and that matters.”
Douglas Belanger, Community Health Worker