Located at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), the HART Hub is co-led by HDGH, the House of Sophrosyne, and the Windsor-Essex Community Health Centre (weCHC)—bringing together strong community partners to support people with complex needs. 

A key strength of the HART Hub is how it significantly reduces barriers to accessing care. It is built on the understanding that when someone is ready to seek help, immediate access to comprehensive, wraparound services is critical. Individuals can be referred by a community provider, agency, physician, or self-refer, helping to streamline entry into the program. The Hub also leverages existing partnerships that each organization has already established—expediting access to essential supports such as Ontario Works (OW), the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), birth certificate services, primary care providers, pharmacy services and housing supports. 

Care at the HART Hub is delivered by a multidisciplinary team that includes social workers, addiction counsellors, nursing, personal support workers, trusteeship services, nurse practitioner and peer support workers. Together, they focus on person-centred care rooted in safety, dignity, and recovery. 

Each client’s journey through the HART Hub is unique. The length of stay and pathways through the program vary depending on individual needs, goals, and progress. What remains consistent is the support—clients work with a dedicated caseworker throughout their journey, helping to build trust, stability, and continuity of care. 

Since opening in fall 2025, the HART Hub has already made a strong difference. To date, 28 clients have completed addictions-based treatment and transitioned to transitional living. One of the first people to enter the program has successfully completed treatment and is now sober and living in permanent housing. An additional seven clients are in the process of moving into permanent housing solutions. 

“People often face many barriers when trying to get help,” said Anel Verem, Operations Manager, HART Hub. “By bringing services together, we are making it easier for individuals to access care quickly and start their recovery.” 

Life-Changing Experience 

One client shared how the program changed their life. Before coming to the HART Hub, they were homeless, struggling with addiction, and felt completely alone. They decided to try the program, thinking they had nothing to lose. What they found was life-changing. 

Through the HART Hub, they received help with their health, including managing medications and improving their addiction treatment. They were connected to a family doctor, supported through legal challenges, and helped apply for financial benefits. They also learned new coping skills through counselling and, for the first time in years, were offered safe, affordable housing. 

Today, they feel hopeful and excited about the future. 

The HART Hub has created a pathway where clients can move from treatment to housing with ongoing support. While recovery can be scary, no one has to go through it alone. More importantly, that journey doesn’t end when a client leaves the HART Hub. A dedicated caseworker continues to stay engaged, providing ongoing support to help individuals maintain their recovery and build long-term stability in the community. 

While the HART Hub is still in its early days, its impact is already being felt across the community. Early results point to a model that is not only improving access to care, but truly changing lives. Clients are reporting positive experiences and feelings of being supported without judgement. The ongoing collaboration among partners ensures the program continues to evolve—adapting to feedback and strengthening the supports available to those who need them most.​