Black Creek Community Health Centre Wins National Diabetes Prevention Prize

A community-driven health initiative in northwest Toronto has received national recognition from the Government of Canada for its innovative approach to preventing Type 2 diabetes in vulnerable communities.

Black Creek Community Health Centre and health technology partner Kinvia were recently named Grand Prize winners in the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Diabetes Prevention Challenge, an initiative aimed at supporting programs that help reduce the growing risk of Type 2 diabetes across the country.

The announcement was made on behalf of Canada’s Minister of Health by Sonia Sidhu, who praised the long-term potential of both winning programs and their ability to support people living at risk of developing the disease.

Type 2 diabetes remains one of the most significant chronic health concerns affecting residents in northwest Toronto. Health experts have long pointed to a range of contributing factors, including poverty, housing instability, food insecurity, stress, and limited access to culturally appropriate healthcare services.

In response to these realities, Black Creek Community Health Centre launched its digital “Health Coaching to Wellness” program in partnership with NexJ Health. The initiative was designed in collaboration with local residents and relies heavily on trusted peer support and culturally responsive outreach.

The program trains Community Health Coaches, individuals with lived experience and deep ties to the neighbourhood, to provide guidance and encouragement to fellow residents at risk of developing diabetes. Coaches receive training in motivational interviewing techniques and wellness support strategies that help participants make healthier lifestyle choices in ways that are practical and relevant to their daily lives.

Organizers say the project builds on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the importance of trusted community voices in delivering effective public health messaging and improving health outcomes.

Accepting the recognition on behalf of staff, partners, health coaches, and community members, Black Creek CHC Executive Director Cheryl Prescod emphasized the importance of designing health solutions alongside the communities they are intended to serve.

“This recognition validates what communities have always known — health solutions are more effective when they are built with community, rooted in trust, and designed to reflect people’s real lives and realities,” Prescod said.

Established in 1989, Black Creek Community Health Centre has become one of Toronto’s leading multi-service community agencies, serving northwest Toronto and surrounding areas through healthcare, wellness, and social support programs. The centre works closely with governments, healthcare institutions, and local organizations to provide accessible, culturally responsive care tailored to the needs of the diverse communities it serves.

The national recognition is expected to further strengthen the organization’s efforts to tackle chronic disease prevention while advancing health equity in underserved communities across the Greater Toronto Area.

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