Peer Led Programs
At OICH, peer support is central to everything we do, and we aim to centre people with lived and living experience (PWLLE) across all programs. We began formally employing peers in 2013 and quickly realized our work could not continue without them. In 2017, as drug poisonings increased in shelters, our peer program expanded and became a critical presence in the community, helping save lives and shaping how we responded during a very difficult time. That same year, we opened a supervised consumption site, Trailer, built on peer support. PWLLE continue to guide our work, shaping how we design and deliver services so they reflect community needs through a harm reduction approach. Their leadership and insight are essential to who we are, and we recognize the vital role they play every day. As times change, including the closure of Trailer, we continue to lean on the leadership of PWLLE, who know best, to guide our next steps and support the development of creative and responsive programming to meet the evolving needs of the community. Our peer-led programming includes:
Block Leaders
This initiative invests in building leadership within homeless and substance-using communities, supporting a “by us, for us” approach that strengthens positive elements of street culture and helps reduce social disorder. Since July 2023, Block Leaders have been active in the community seven days a week, carrying out acts of service aimed at improving well-being for all who live, work, and visit the area. While some of this work is practical, such as handing out water during extreme heat or picking up garbage, the heart of the program is creating positive human connections by modelling compassion and kindness. The program continues to grow, and its impact within the community keeps expanding!
Peer Overdose Response Team
At our Rita Thompson Residence, resident leaders run a peer overdose prevention team (POP) to keep the building residents safe. The in residence POP team who live there are the eyes and ears on the ground. Through room safety checks, safer use education and overdose response, the POP team keeps the residents safe. We are incredibly proud of the leaders in this building.
Indigenous Peer-Led Initiatives
Recognizing the unique needs of Indigenous clients and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples among those we serve, OICH is committed to providing culturally grounded and accessible supports. We employ Indigenous peers who bring lived experience, cultural knowledge, and strong connections into the care we provide. They offer program and one‑on‑one peer support, accompany clients to Misiwe Ni Relations Lodge, and help connect individuals to culturally safe spaces. Indigenous peers also lead healing circles and participate in memorial services during our quarterly Celebrations of Life. Their guidance and leadership play a vital role in shaping care that honours identity, community, and healing.
Program Peers
Aligning with our commitment to peer support and the value of lived experience, we have various Program Peers working across our different supportive housing units and shelter-based programs. These peers use their lived experience to connect with clients, provide peer support, and help bridge the gap between service users and our staff and programs. They also assist in running different activities and groups, accompany clients to appointments, engage in advocacy, and provide overall program support. We strongly believe in ensuring clients have access to meaningful support and recognize the strength and insight that lived experience brings to our services.
Life Process Program
The Life Process Program (LPP) is a peer‑led program where trained coaches support participants as they move at their own pace. Rather than framing substance use as a disease, LPP views it as an adaptive response, focusing on personal choice, empowerment, and alignment with individual goals and values. Participants move through three stages: self‑realization, where they identify their strengths and values; self‑efficacy, where they reflect on whether their actions align with those values; and self‑responsibility, where they build confidence and tools to make meaningful, goal‑driven changes. The program supports individuals in taking control in a way that works for them and building a future that reflects their needs, values, and choices.
Healthcare.
Harm Reduction.
Hope.
