Our Impact
The Gilbert Centre works alongside people and communities across Simcoe Muskoka to advance health, dignity, inclusion, and equity. Since 1995, we have supported people living with and affected by HIV, Hep C, STBBIs, drug use, stigma, discrimination, and barriers to care. Our work has grown from the AIDS Committee of Simcoe County into a broader community-based organization providing health services, harm reduction, 2S-LGBTQIA+ programming, education, advocacy, and social support.
Our impact is not only measured in numbers. It is seen in the people who access care with dignity, the harm reduction supplies that help save lives, the youth who find affirming spaces, the people living with HIV and Hep C who receive support, the organizations that learn to become safer and more inclusive, and the partnerships that help strengthen community well-being.
Local Work, Global Goals
The Gilbert Centreā€™s work is local to Simcoe Muskoka, but it reflects broader global commitments to health, dignity, equity, education, inclusion, and justice.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide a helpful way to understand how community-based organizations contribute to a healthier and more equitable world. While the Gilbert Centre is not a United Nations agency, our programs align with several of these global goals through our everyday work with individuals, communities, organizations, and systems.
No Poverty
Many people who connect with the Gilbert Centre experience poverty, housing instability, income insecurity, or barriers to basic needs.
Our staff support people through referrals, system navigation, advocacy, and connection to health, housing, income, food, legal, and social services where possible.
We do not end poverty on our own. But we work alongside people who are navigating poverty and advocate for systems that treat people with dignity.
Zero Hunger
Food access is not the core mandate of the Gilbert Centre, but we recognize that nutrition, poverty, health, and dignity are connected.
When resources and donations allow, we may provide snacks, food, grocery cards, or referrals to food programs as part of low-barrier support and community care.
Small acts of food support can help people feel welcomed, reduce immediate barriers, and create pathways to connection.
Good Health & Well-Being
Health and well-being are central to the Gilbert Centreā€™s work.
We support HIV, Hep C, STBBI, and sexual health services; harm reduction; overdose prevention; safer sex education; peer support; referrals; and access to care.
Our work contributes to community health by reducing stigma, improving access, supporting prevention and treatment, and helping people connect with care in ways that honour their dignity and autonomy.
Quality Education
Education is one of the Gilbert Centreā€™s core tools for change.
Through community presentations, public education, sexual health information, harm reduction education, and Safer Spaces training, we help individuals and organizations build knowledge, reduce stigma, and create safer environments.
Safer Spaces also supports professional development for organizations seeking to better understand and serve 2S-LGBTQIA+ communities.
Gender Equality
The Gilbert Centre works with women, trans people, non-binary people, two-spirit people, and gender-diverse communities who experience overlapping forms of stigma, discrimination, violence, and barriers to care.
Our work includes gender-affirming support, 2S-LGBTQIA+ programming, HIV and sexual health services, harm reduction, education, and advocacy.
We support gender equality by challenging stigma, promoting inclusion, and helping organizations create safer and more affirming spaces.
Decent Work & Economic Growth
Inclusive workplaces are healthier, stronger, and more sustainable.
Through Safer Spaces, we support employers, service providers, and organizations to build more inclusive policies, practices, and workplace cultures.
This work helps organizations better serve clients, support staff, reduce harm, strengthen retention, and create environments where more people can participate fully and safely.
Reduced Inequalities
Reducing inequality is at the centre of the Gilbert Centreā€™s mission.
We work with people and communities who face stigma, criminalization, discrimination, poverty, homophobia, transphobia, racism, health inequities, and barriers to care.
Our programs are designed to reduce barriers, improve access, and support people who are often excluded from mainstream systems.
Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
The Gilbert Centre advocates for rights-based, evidence-informed, and community-led approaches to health and social support.
We work with partners, institutions, and systems to challenge stigma, improve access, support harm reduction, advance health equity, and promote dignity for the people and communities we serve.
This includes advocacy for clients, community education, policy conversations, and participation in broader systems-change work.
The Gilbert Centre is not affiliated with the United Nations. References to the Sustainable Development Goals are provided as a framework for understanding how local community-based work can contribute to broader goals for health, equity, education, inclusion, and justice. The content of this page has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States.
