There’s a new space for students to get peer support.

The Community Care Centre (CCC) has long been a place where students can go to gain peer support, care kits, and items supporting sexual health. Recently, the Student Association of George Brown College (SAGBC) service has created a new space to welcome students at the Waterfront campus.

It’s here in the space just off room 033 – the SAGBC main office – where CCC now offers programming, peer support, and education on health, harm reduction, wellness, and more.

“We take creative care practices and approaches to peer support. What does it look like if a student comes in and crisis being able to not just refer resources, but also, sit down, talk, and [receive] help to find the best choice. That kind of empowerment has really built a large community of not just students from our equity groups, but also the college community,” said Charlene Holmes, CCC coordinator.

CCC does not have any formal policies or supervision for visits. Students can always go there to ask for help, rest, play board games, and talk with others.

Although CCC spaces are open to all students, they have always focused on six equity groups: black students, First Nations, Inuit, Métis Students, international and racialized students, women and trans students, 2SLGBTQI+ students, and students with disabilities.

With board games at Casa Loma and the social justice library at St. James, Holmes believes the CCC at Waterfront should have a different focal point, particularly in health services.

“Waterfront has a very strong focus in health sciences. That’s where we really wanted to emphasize our harm reduction programming, health, and wellness resources, such as sexual health, and menstrual health.”

This includes resources which are focused on holistic health. For instance, some safe drug and harm reduction supplies, naloxone kits, pamphlets and brochures on hormones and suicide intervention are available for students.

Additionally, students can find further information about SAGBC partnership with Planned Parenthood, and the City of Toronto.

Meanwhile, they plan to focus on two important issues: mental health and the cost-of-living crisis.

“Our next campaign, is going to be focused on the cost-of-living crisis, is ensuring that we’re holding not just the college, but all levels of government accountable for supporting international students and domestic students,” Holmes says.

Students who want to know more about CCC new space or their future campaigns, can visit the SAGBC website.

They can also visit any CCC location at their preferred campus.