Who We Help: Our Clients

Best Start Health Coalition in Peel (BSHCP) programs and services target expectant women (ages 22 and up) and teens (ages 15 – 21) in need. This includes women from immigrant and refugee communities who are living in poverty and have limited access to community services that benefit their unborn babies and themselves. Many are isolated from social contacts and supports.

The following statistics demonstrate the challenges faced by the most vulnerable of women, children and families who benefit from BSHCP’s programs and services. 

In 2007/2008: 

1. 56 % of households had low or no income.
2. 28 % of participants were lone parents.
3. 17 % are under 20 years of age.
4. 35 % have lived in Canada for less than 3 years.
5. 24 % have a medical condition that puts them at risk for a low birth weight baby.
6. 23 % of parents had not finished high school.

In our most recent fiscal year, beginning April 1 2007 and ending March 31 2008, overall, we were able to help support 633 new mothers, 633 new babies and 633 new families in the Region of Peel – and have made over 8000 client contacts!