A Decade of Partnership Supporting Recovery and Reintegration

Ten years ago, Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care (Southwest Centre) and the St. Leonard’s Society launched a new partnership to help forensic patients transition from hospital to community living.

The milestone was marked on Nov. 13 with a celebration event recognizing the meaningful impact of this collaboration.

“This partnership is essential for our patients to demonstrate who they are as people and how they choose to connect with the community,” said Kent Lewis, Director of Southwest Centre. “Without partners like St. Leonard’s, we would only be able to provide part of our rehabilitation journey for patients.”

Through St. Leonard’s Society, two programs offer varying levels of support and independence for eligible patients.  

The C.K Clarke Centre in London is a six-bed residence for patients transitioning from inpatient care. They can stay up to two years while receiving structure, support, transportation, care and guidance from St. Leonard’s as they re-establish daily routines through volunteering, education, working and reconnecting with family and friends. The program is funded by the Ministry of Health’s Transitional Rehabilitation Housing Program.

When a forensic patient has a community living clause as part of their detention, they may be eligible to live at Clarke Centre. Southwest Centre’s rehabilitation units and transition team work with St. Leonard’s to assess the patient and support the move to the Clarke Centre.

"Patients who may come to us often face stigma, so together we are there to support them," said Michael Oates, Executive Director of St. Leonard's. "Partnerships take many forms, but this partnership is a unique one because we actively work together and co-create services to figure out how to do things better." 

For those ready to live more independently, the ministry’s Forensic Supervised Housing Program provides a Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit subsidy for the patient to secure an apartment – with oversight and support from St. Leonard’s.  

“Together, we’ve helped individuals find stability and belonging – outcomes that reflect not just clinical success, but human success,” said Jodi Younger, Vice President of Patient Care and Quality at St. Joseph’s Health Care London.

Younger adds that the community benefits with longstanding partnerships like this one, which uphold St. Joseph’s mission of caring for the whole person: body, mind and spirit of all people.  

This partnership stands as a testament to hope, healing and the opportunity for people to have a second chance.