History

• 1984 - the Guelph Community Health Centre Working Group is founded by a group of citizens to develop a non-profit centre that will provide a variety of health services with a focus on alternative health and community involvement.

• 1987 – Guelph CHC is incorporated as a non-profit corporation with a volunteer board of 15 directors.
• 1988 – we open at our original location of 89 Wyndham Street. Our staff includes one doctor, one nurse practitioner and two office staff.

• 1990 – a volunteer executive director begins working with our health centre.
• 1991 – an executive director is hired and we apply for funding as a Community Health Centre. We have eight staff. We take on responsibility for the Guelph and Wellington Infant Development Program.
• 1992 – we are granted Community Health Centre status.
• 1993 – our clinic at Family Gateway in the Shelldale Neighbourhood opens and we operate as a founding agency partner in the Better Beginnings/Better Futures pilot project.
• 1994 – our Cultural Interpreter training program begins.
• 1995 – a volunteer position for a volunteer coordinator is filled.
• 1996 – the old Simpson-Sears building in downtown Guelph, previously the Opera House of Guelph, is identified as a suitable site for our centre.
• 1997 – we revise our mission statement to focus our resources on children from prenatal to six years and confirm our commitment to people who face barriers to health and wellness. We also confirm our commitment to expand our partnerships with other organizations within the city. We begin our popular Books for Birthdays program.
• 1999 – the old Simpson-Sears building at 176 Wyndham Street North is purchased as the future home of the Guelph CHC.



• 2001 – we relocate to our present location at 176 Wyndham Street North.
• 2002 – the Association of Ontario Health Centres (AOHC) awards us two Excellence in Primary Health Care Awards, one for our Volunteer Program and the other in the Programs and Services category reflecting the variety of community agencies our health centre collaborates with. We also receive a Heritage Award from the Guelph Arts Council in recognition of the successful renovation and restoration of the old Simpson-Sears building. We are awarded Full Accreditation.
• 2003 – we are awarded the Early Years Centre, part of a provincial initiative to provide services to preschool children.
• 2004 – we receive the proceeds from the Running Works Downtown 5K run and take on a commitment to organize this annual event. The AOHC recognizes the Guelph Community Health Centre for its Healthy Child Screening Program.
• 2005 – our south end Ontario Early Years satellite office at Stone Road Mall opens. In its first month we register 694 children and 528 parents.
• 2006 – we are awarded a Guelph Quality Award and a Barrier Free Access Award. The AOHC also recognizes us for our Garden Fresh Box and Buy Local! Buy Fresh! programs and our Give Yourself Credit alternative education program. Our permanent clinic room opens and a Guelph CHC endowment fund focusing on the healthy development of children is established at the Guelph Community Foundation.
• 2007 – funding is received for the Shelldale clinic to expand to a full 5,000 square foot satellite.
• 2008 – we host Business After Five, Doors Open Guelph and Dr. Fraser Mustard, a leading advocate of early childhood development, as part of our 20th anniversary celebrations. We also launch the Guelph CHC website. The Guelph CHC continues to grow and flourish. We are proud of the award-winning, community-based, accessible and comprehensive health care we provide for and with the Guelph community. For more information please call (519) 821-6638 or email info@guelphchc.ca .