MSS Care Bridges

Club week video

About the club

Care Bridges, formerly known as CIME (Collaboration Interprofessionnelle Montréalaise Étudiante), is a student organization dedicated to promoting and improving health and wellness for refugees and persons seeking asylum in Montreal and bridging the gap in access to healthcare. The health needs of refugee claimants (persons seeking asylum) are increasing and despite the existence of the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), there are significant barriers to accessing health and social services.

To address these challenges, Care Bridges collaborates closely with community partners, working hand-in-hand with the community to address current and pressing healthcare needs. We are currently working with PRAIDA (Programme régional d’accueil et d’intégration des demandeurs d’asile) and The Refugee Center, offering workshops on health-related topics at the PRAIDA temporary housing units and at The Refugee Center. Our outreach initiatives are designed to empower refugees and refugee claimants with the knowledge and tools they need to manage their health effectively, navigate the healthcare system, and advocate for themselves and their families, as well as inform the next generation of healthcare professionals regarding the challenges they face. By addressing both the immediate and systemic barriers to healthcare, Care Bridges strives to create a more equitable and inclusive health environment for all.

We are a recognized Community Health Alliance Project (CHAP) partner for second year McGill medical students. We also work closely with the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) Quebec INCommunity program which is a community engagement and clinical observation internship that offers pre-clinical medical students in Quebec the opportunity to work with vulnerable populations, including migrant populations. We have presented our work at conferences in Canada and in the U.S.

Contact information

carebridgesoutreach@gmail.com