Since 2008, when the Creating Caring Communities model was first initiated in St. James Town, Toronto, the initiative has grown and evolved to different locations across Canada.
As the Creating Caring Communities model expands to new communities, the model also needs to be adapted to the different contexts. While there are core roles and core activities of the Creating Caring Communities approach that you will learn more about in the following section, the flexibility of the model is key to the success of this approach. This flexibility of the approach to respond to different contexts is important as no two communities are the same. As you know from your own experience working in community, each neighbourhood has different socio-demographics, community assets and resources, as well as unique challenges.
Key to the Creating Caring Communities approach is a commitment to entering into communities not as experts, but as learners—working alongside community members to co-shape care approaches that reflect their lived realities. This means empowering the voices of those who have traditionally been marginalized to inform and guide the development of local strategies. It is through this collaborative process that we foster a space where care is not only provided but co-created.
Community Expansion
While the Creating Caring Communities model was originally developed from a hospice palliative care perspective, its principles and practices have proven to be deeply supportive across a wide range of communities. These include individuals living with disabilities, substance dependencies, mental health challenges, poverty, and homelessness. The approach is grounded in compassion, dignity, and inclusion—values that resonate across diverse experiences of vulnerability and marginalization.
Learn more about the different locations where Creating Caring Communities has been initiated below.
St. James Town, located in Toronto, is Canada’s most densely populated neighbourhood and home to a highly diverse, multilingual, and multicultural population. The Creating Caring Communities (CCC) initiative began in St. James Town, with a shared office space at “The Corner”—a local hub supporting grassroots efforts.
With 90% of residents renting and nearly a quarter living in subsidized housing, the community faces significant socio-economic challenges, including high rates of poverty and isolation.
Despite these challenges, St. James Town is rich in cultural assets and community resilience, making it a powerful starting point for the CCC model. The unique demographic profile of the neighbourhood continues to shape and inform how care is co-created and delivered through CCC.
Regent Park is the second site hosted by Hospice Toronto, a community-based organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life through compassionate, volunteer-led support.
Established in winter 2024, CCC Guysborough supports seniors in remote and rural communities, including Indigenous and African Nova Scotian populations, who wish to age in place. With a population of 7,373 and an average age of 52, Guysborough is one of Nova Scotia’s oldest communities, with 34% of residents aged 65 or older.
The region’s geographic isolation and limited infrastructure present challenges to service access and mobility. However, the community’s deep-rooted history and strong sense of place are vital assets. CCC’s approach has been shaped by local perspectives on volunteerism, informed by past experiences with external organizations.
Building trust took time and care, and today, CCC volunteers offer culturally grounded support that reflects community values, while honouring the desire for autonomy, continuity, and meaningful engagement.
Launched in spring 2025, CCC Halifax supports refugee and immigrant communities across the greater Halifax area in partnership with ISANS. Halifax’s population is increasingly shaped by international migration, which accounted for 80% of its growth between 2022 and 2023. Immigrants now represent 11.6% of residents, with visible minority groups contributing to the city’s rich cultural diversity.
CCC’s first outreach was to the Arab community through ISADs. While Halifax is known for its inclusive spirit, newcomers often face challenges related to language access and social connection, especially among older adults. CCC volunteers offer linguistically and culturally appropriate support, while younger participants gain meaningful experience through training and volunteerism—building pathways to employment and strengthening community ties.