For anyone familiar with the Ottawa area, you’ve likely grown accustomed to the many Dymon Storage facilities located throughout the capital.
While the company’s presence has continued to grow over the last few years, there is a building downtown sporting the Dymon name that holds special significance for the locally-owned business.
Building on a years-long relationship with The Ottawa Mission, Dymon gifted the not-for-profit’s health and dental clinic $300,000 back in 2018 to help fund the expansion of the clinic – a service The Mission has been providing to the city’s most vulnerable since 2007.
Initially a clinic with two small exam rooms, the new Dymon Health Clinic couldn’t have come at a better time.
With the city declaring a homelessness crisis in 2020, and demand for services ever rising, the new four-room medical centre and dedicated dental clinic has increased the team’s ability to help those in need.
“We feel a real connection to The Ottawa Mission and the great work they do in the community,” says Steve Creighton, executive vice-president at Dymon Group. “Being able to go one step further and provide that critical health care to those who need it was really special and something we were honoured to support.”
A growing clinic, with growing impact
Working closely with Ottawa Inner City Health, as well as a top-notch team of nurse practitioners and specialty physicians, the Dymon Health Clinic provides primary care to any person experiencing homelessness in the city, seven days a week.
It’s a critical resource that is otherwise overlooked, says Lynn Landis, director of health services at The Ottawa Mission.
“Our clients have a really difficult time accessing healthcare due to system barriers and stigma ,” says Landis. “The clinic team is qualified and experienced to work with those struggling with severe trauma, mental health or addiction. The environment is one that is safe, engaging, and judgement-free.”
The expanded clinic has not only allowed The Mission to respond to increased demand – supplying thousands of primary care visits and over 300 dental visits yearly – but it has also sparked new opportunities and partnerships.
The Mission’s Dymon Health Clinic has always hosted important specialty clinics by partners at The Ottawa Hospital, Bruyère Hospital, and more.
Some of these incredible services include: nutrition and diabetes, infectious diseases, foot care, chiropractor, and much more. These partnerships allow our community’s homeless population to receive essential health care and treatment.
New services continue to be added to the day-to-day operations, as the team is always looking at growing, to better serve the most vulnerable, adds Landis.
The clinic is also planning a dedicated space for an Ophthalmology Clinic to provide eye-care for vulnerable people in the community.
At the same time, the clinic team is offering community outreach programs by providing primary care to those living in other shelters in Ottawa, or on the streets.
And, with the city still in the midst of a homelessness crisis, the need for health services at The Mission are only going to continue to increase.
“I think it’s important for people in the city to realize that without partnerships and support from the community, we couldn’t do what we do,” Landis adds. “So when partners come to the table and say ‘Let’s do this together,’ it is what makes it possible.”
For Creighton and the Dymon team, it’s that dedication to our city, and the clear impact The Mission has on the community that keeps them coming back.
“It’s fantastic to work with a group of people that are so committed and so compassionate about helping people in need within the community,” he adds. “Being Ottawa owned, and Ottawa proud, it’s very important to us that we do whatever we can to support the city that we call home.”
