SWITCH

We are student-initiated and student-led.

SWITCH was created by students in order to enrich educational experiences and to provide much needed services for Saskatoon’s core neighbourhoods. We have an active pool of volunteers from the University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. We are also beginning to see volunteers from other Saskatchewan educational institutions such as the First Nations University of Canada and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies. What this also means is that our board of directors are students, primarily in the Health Sciences, professional colleges, or at the undergraduate level.

We are interprofessional.

Our mentors and student volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines with unique experiences to share.

Our Outreach team is responsible for making each SWITCH shift run smoothly by preparing and serving food, assisting with educational programming, and providing childcare.

Our Clinical team is made up of many different health disciplines, collaborating together on each case to provide non-judgemental and client-centered care. The students volunteer alongside a doctor or nurse practitioner, cultural support worker, receptionist, and other healthcare mentors. In addition to traditional clinical services, we offer counselling, speech language pathology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, cultural supports, gynecology, pediatrics, pharmacy, and nutritional education.

We are a clinic.

SWITCH operates through the Saskatoon Community Clinic, out of the Westside Community Clinic. The clinic is across Avenue P. from St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. We operate Mondays and Wednesdays and Saturdays to provide free walk-in clinical and social services to residents of Saskatoon’s inner city, though all residents are welcome.

Vision

All residents of Saskatoon have equitable access to culturally safe healthcare, nutrition, and education to better equip them with tools to create opportunities for themselves.

Mission

SWITCH augments the training of future professionals while improving the health, education, and skills of people from Saskatoon’s core communities, ultimately achieving lasting positive change for everyone involved.

Values

The following values serve as a guide as we work toward our vision:

– Positively impacting the social determinants of health
– Empowering all clients served, as well as, students and mentors to make a difference in the community
– Striving to provide comprehensive care that is holistic and interdisciplinary
– Building cooperative partnerships with organizations, governments, and post-secondary institutions to foster open and collaborative relationships
– Earning the trust and respect of our partners, clients, mentors, and volunteers
– Innovation and dedication to excellence
– Ethical, social, and cultural responsibility
– Providing educational experiences that help students become more aware of and responsive to the needs of diverse populations
– Delivering compassion and empathy for everyone

Hours and Location

SWITCH is privileged to operate out of the Westside Community Clinic at: 1528 20th Street West.

SWITCH Summer Hours: 

• May, June, July & August, Wednesday evenings only

SWITCH Clinic and Programming:

• Monday from 5:30-8:00pm
• Wednesday from 5:30-8:00pm
• Saturday from 12:30-3:00pm

SWITCH Volunteer Shifts:

• Monday from 5:00-9:00pm
• Wednesday from 5:00-9:00pm
• Saturday from 12:00-4:00pm

Services

SWITCH offers the following services:

– Walk-in, interprofessional, after-hours, holistic clinical services with mentors and students from:

– Medicine
– Social work and counselling
– Pharmacy
– Chiropractic and acupuncture
– Paediatrics
– Gynaecology
– Speech language pathology
– Nursing
– Physical therapy
– Occupational therapy
– Dietician
– And more…

– Nutritional meal, including fresh fruits and vegetables, and coffee
– Nutrition advice
– Conversation and a safe space to spend time
– Advocacy
– Traditional Elder and Healer
– Child minding
– All ages homework help centre
– Assistance with transportation
– Women’s, men’s, and children’s educational programming
– Community addictions and mental health outreach
– Referrals and resources
– Free phone usage (local calls)
– Special events including Community Dinners and our Women’s Pamper Night

Who We Are

Staff

Hayden McGuire is the executive director of SWITCH. Hayden was born and raised in Saskatoon and is happy to be calling it home again. She first encountered SWITCH while pursuing her degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 2010. She left the city to continue her studies with a Masters program and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia. She loves community engagement, learning opportunities and growing her knowledge of social justice movements. In her downtime you’ll find her walking her dog Louis, doing needlework, and discovering new books to collect. Hayden can be contacted here.

Veronica Dirk-Pothier is the programming coordinator of SWITCH. Veronica is finishing her Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a focus on criminology, addictions, and ethics.  She has been active in the community through local organizations and student groups and is very excited to apply her experience to creating different programs at SWITCH!  In her free time, Veronica likes to watch musicals, reread her favourite novels, and paint! Veronica can be contacted here.

Alex Flaman is the volunteer coordinator of SWITCH. Alex recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies from the University of Saskatchewan, currently she is working on a Master of Arts in History. Alex has been volunteering at SWITCH for the past few years, stepping into many leadership roles.  In her free time, Alex can be found cuddling her kitties and experimenting in the kitchen. Alex can be contacted here.

Evelyn Linklater is the cultural support worker of SWITCH.

Board of Directors

Jake Reaser is the current holder of the Chair Portfolio. The holder of the Chair Portfolio works in conjunction with the SWITCH Board of Directors and staff to create and implement both short and long-term goals for SWITCH’s future. Jake can be contacted here.	Sam Papp is the current holder of the Vice Chair Portfolio. This portfolio holder supports the duties of the Chair. Sam can be contacted here.	Chantal Chabot is the current treasurer. The holder of the treasurer portfolio works closely with the executive direction to update SWITCH Board on financial matters. They assist in payroll, act as a signatory, enter and receipt donations, and work with the bookkeeper and other financial professionals regarding SWITCH’s finances. Chantal can be contacted here.
Anushua Sen is the current holder of the Secretary Portfolio. This portfolio holder supports the Chair in the management of the Board of Directors. They record and organize meeting minutes and are in charge of the website and SharePoint. Anushua can be contacted here.	Sara Islam is the current holder of the Community Engagement Portfolio. The holder of the Community Engagement Portfolio works to strengthen SWITCH’s relationship with other CBOs. They also chair the Community Outreach Committee. If you are from a CBO and interested in learning more about Community Cares Meetings, or if you are a student interested in learning more about the Community Outreach Committee, please contact Sara here.	Laraib Fatima is the current holder of the Student Recruitment and Retention Portfolio. This portfolio holder involves bringing in new student volunteers from various colleges and maintaining current volunteers through promotion at campus events, classroom presentations, and volunteer appreciation initiatives. They also chair the Student Recruitment and Retention Committee. Laraib can be contacted here.
Bonnie Yang is the current holder of the mentor portfolio. The mentor portfolio holder ensures that all mentors interested in SWITCH are trained, orientated, and have all the proper paperwork submitted prior to mentoring. They ensure that each shift has a physician/nurse practitioner and a social worker signed up. Overall, the mentor portfolio acts as a liaison to address any questions or concerns the mentors may have about SWITCH. Bonnie can be contacted here.	Christine Balderama is the current holder of the Shift Teams Leader Portfolio. The holder of the Shift Teams Leader Portfolio is responsible for the training and support of Clinical Team Leaders and Outreach Team Leaders, and ensuring consistency on shift. As well, this position supports the Volunteer and Program Coordinators’ on-shift duties. Christine can be contacted here.	WenYu Ruan is the current holder of the Research Portfolio. The holder of the Research Portfolio evaluates SWITCH internally through research projects but also encourages and helps facilitate projects done by third parties. All research inquiries can be directed to WenYu here.
Rena Young is an advisory member of the SWITCH board.	Kimberly Schmitke is an advisory member of the SWITCH board.

History

Annual Reports

Annual report summary 2017-2018

Coming soon.