REACH Niagara is proud to announce it has been selected as a recipient of the Niagara Prosperity
Initiative (NPI) grant under the Mental Health and Addiction category. This vital funding will support the
launch of a new initiative: PATH (Program for Addiction Treatment and Healthcare) focused on
supporting recipients of social assistance who are struggling with substance use in the Niagara Region.
A central focus of PATH is improving financial stability, recognizing the deep connection between health
and economic well-being.
Substance use continues to have a profound impact on individuals, families, and healthcare systems
across Canada. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction and Canadian Institute for
Substance Use Research (2020) noted that substance use was responsible for an estimated $13.4
billion in healthcare costs, with early indications showing a significant increase in recent years. The PATH
Program is designed as a proactive, community-based solution to this growing crisis. It will provide
preventative treatment and support to reduce substance use, prevent overdoses, and ease the strain on
emergency departments and first responders.
“We are deeply grateful to the Niagara Region and the Niagara Prosperity Initiative for their continued
commitment to organizations like ours that are working on the front lines of the substance use and
mental health crisis,” said Carolyn Dyer, Executive Director of REACH Niagara. Dr. Kim Bender, REACH
Niagara’s new Medical Director, had this to say about the new funding and programming, “With the
launch of the PATH Program, we are expanding our capacity to deliver critical care to those who need it
most. This grant and subsequent programming will provide hope, support, and a path toward healing for
hundreds of people in the Niagara Region.”
The PATH Program will enhance access to comprehensive addiction treatment and healthcare services
for some of the region’s most vulnerable residents. By addressing the intersection of mental health,
substance use, and poverty, PATH offers person-centred care that meets individuals where they are,
both physically and in their recovery journey.
Making Healthcare Accessible
Additional quote provided by the Niagara Region:
“Working together to prevent and end poverty and increase well-being in Niagara relies on our
ability to collaborate with and leverage the knowledge and expertise of our trusted community
partners like REACH Niagara. Financial stability is critical for a person’s well-being and REACH
Niagara’s PATH program will help address this important need.”
– Henri Koning, Commissioner Community Services, Niagara Region
About REACH Niagara
REACH Niagara (Regional Essential Access to Connected Healthcare) is a not-for-profit,
charitable organization based in Niagara, Ontario, dedicated to improving access to healthcare
for individuals who are marginalized, underserved, or experiencing homelessness. The
organization operates mobile health clinics and collaborates with local partners to provide
essential health services, including primary care, mental health counselling, and substance use
programming. REACH Niagara's vision is that all individuals who are homeless or marginalized
have equitable access to healthcare in the Niagara Region.