Welcome To REACH

A History of REACH

REACH is a community health centre that has been located on the east side of Vancouver since 1969. We became incorporated as a non-profit society in 1970 with a Board of Directors comprised primarily of community members and patients of the clinic.

Since its inception, REACH has endeavoured to meet the medical, dental, and cultural needs of the community with an emphasis on prevention and the development of programs which reflect the ongoing needs of the ever changing composition of the community. REACH strives to reflect the philosophy of community health centres which promotes a team approach in a non-profit setting with all staff, including dentists and physicians, on salary.

The community of which REACH is a part is a richly diversified ethnic setting in the area known as Grandview Woodlands. Many of the residents have a lower than average income, with a high level of single parent family households. REACH has adopted the definition of health as: “The extent to which an individual or group is able on one hand to realize aspirations and satisfy needs; and on the other hand, to change or cope with the environment.” Our community health centre strives to incorporate this definition of health in its culturally sensitive programs and interdisciplinary approach to the delivery of services. REACH has a strong commitment to community development and works to build a collaborative relationship with users of the clinic. There is an equally strong commitment on behalf of the staff to illustrate an openness and acceptance of the ethnic, cultural and social diversity which is found in our community.

How REACH Works

REACH is more than just a doctor or dentist's office. We offer many health and social services with interdisciplinary teams under one roof. As a non-profit society, we are directly accountable to the community we serve and are governed by a Board of Directors. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of our community, and our focus is on accessibility and excellence in primary health care.

• REACH emphasizes prevention, health promotion, health education, and community development services.
• The Grandview Woodlands community is richly diverse; REACH prioritizes the use of our resources to mesh with the needs of members of our community.
• REACH is a place where members of the community, staff, board, and volunteers feel equally welcomed, listened to, and respected.
• Our staff, board, and volunteers are resource people to our community. We aim to assist the community in making informed decisions about health and overcome the social barriers to health.
• REACH places a high value on democratic decision making with input from the board, staff, those who use the centre, and our community.
• Our doctors and dentists provide on-call service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• REACH remunerates staff, including doctors and dentists, by salary.

Learn more about the community health centre model and primary health care.

 

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