About The Alex
We work together. We walk together.
For almost 50 years we have served a community facing complex health challenges, including poverty, trauma, financial and housing instability, food insecurity, and a need for social and community inclusion.
Our Vision
The Alex envisions a healthy and caring community where everyone is valued and can thrive.
Our Mission
To improve quality of life through accessible and integrated health, housing and social services.
Our Values
We are welcoming.
We welcome all humanity with dignity, respect and understanding. We create belonging, community, safety and a sense of home.
We connect.
We build community and nurture relationships with each other, participants, supporters, partners and peers. Together, we are a team.
We have grit.
We listen, learn and grow. We make informed decisions and work transparently, with integrity, accountability and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
We care deeply.
We are genuinely compassionate and invested in people’s wellbeing. We honour and value each person’s story, seeing the hope and possibility in that story.
We promote empowerment.
We believe in self-determination, choice and each person’s inherent ability to lead their journey. We provide encouragement and support as we walk together.
We take responsibility.
We are tenacious and determined. We roll up our sleeves to get the job done and follow through on our commitments with passion and perseverance.
We are change-makers.
We are innovators, problem-solvers and leaders. We are responsive, resourceful, creative and nimble, finding ways to remove barriers, navigate systems and advocate for change.
Our leadership
Our leadership team and Board of Directors represent a dedicated multi-disciplinary team of almost 400 staff including medical staff, social workers, mental health specialists, peer supporters, educators, community facilitators, and an outstanding support team. As a team we know it takes the combination of our unique skills and expertise to make a difference.
Our story
Since 1973, The Alex has seen the whole story of health. We meet everyone where they are at and treat all people with dignity and respect. We tackle tough health and social issues and walk alongside people from crisis to wellness and from challenge to change.
Our impact
Because life’s not simple, our solutions rarely come ready-made. And that’s OK. We tailor them to the person before us. The open hearts and creative minds at the Alex see what’s really needed – and invent the solution. We’ve seen the incredible transformation of thousands of lives.
We’re leaders within the health and social service community, and are constantly innovating in our approach to health, social and community care. When faced with challenges, we rarely ask ourselves ‘if’ and instead ask ourselves ‘how.’
“(The Alex) gave me purpose to be authentically me with no judgment”
Charlene
The Alex Community Member
Stories of Impact
Jordan’s Story
On an unseasonably hot day in June, Jordan visited The Alex Youth Health Centre. She’d heard about The Alex years ago from a friend, but didn’t know much about it. As she bled from her wrist that afternoon, it was the only place she could think of to go.
Our Pandemic Year
Responding to shifting guidelines, overcoming technical hurdles, building new programs, maintaining our areas of strength and ensuring our teams are safe, both physically and emotionally – this has been the drumbeat of the last twelve months at The Alex.
Social Work at The Alex: Colin’s Story
It was a day like any other day for Colin. He woke up on someone else’s couch, put on the hoodie and jeans he’d been wearing for two weeks, and quietly walked out the front door. It wasn’t unusual for him to go without breakfast, or any meal for that matter.
Together, there is nothing but possibility.
We can strengthen our community. We can tackle tough health and social issues, walking alongside people from crisis to wellness and from challenge to change.
