In Crisis? 
Klinic Community Health was founded in the 1970’s through the grass roots efforts of a group of politically active people focused on social justice. There was a pressing need for these services in Winnipeg, and since Klinic was the only place attempting to meet this need, it quickly became identified as a safe and “cool” place by its clients and as a haven for “hippies” by the general public.
Over the years, the agency has seen many changes in terms of size and service focus, but our social justice roots are as deep as ever.
Timeline: Klinic’s Growth from 1970 to 2015
1970: Medical students and volunteer physicians began assisting transients and local youth with medical, transportation and drug-related problems. They operated out of a drop-in centre called Committee Representing Youth Problems Today (CRYPT).
1971: CRYPT received a grant from the Manitoba Health Services Commission to provide basic medical and counselling services including a 24-hour crisis line – the program was named Klinic. The major focus of the crisis line was to talk down and reassure people who had ingested and were experiencing difficulty with a wide variety of hallucinogens, stimulants and depressants. Klinic operated out of 667 Notre Dame Avenue under the auspices of the Winnipeg General Hospital Outpatient Department.
February 1971: Klinic applied for and received a three-year grant from the Non-Medical Use of Drugs Directorate to operate the Crisis Bus. There were large numbers of people experimenting with drugs and “freaking out” or overdosing, and the Crisis Bus provided a variety of services to help, including patrols of areas frequented by large sub-culture populations, home visits, transportation to Klinic or hospitals and drug crisis services at rock concerts, “love-ins”, etc.
February 1972: Klinic funding was discontinued and they moved to a small apartment on Maryland and then to a house on Raglan Road. Telephone counselling and the Crisis Bus were the only services offered, and all services were provided by volunteers.
June 1972: Interim funding was received, and Klinic services moved to 567 Broadway; staff began negotiations for permanent funding.
February 1973: Pregnancy Information Services was initiated.
April of 1973: Klinic was incorporated and all services were placed under one Board of Directors, group of administrators and staff, although the Crisis Bus continued to be funded by a separate source. Klinic’s first professional staff member, a psychologist, was hired at this time.
June 1973: Klinic’s first volunteer training programs began.
June 1974: Community Outreach Program was initiated.
September 1975: Rape Crisis Services was initiated.
July 1977: Klinic moved to Wilson House at 545 Broadway.
May 1981: Pregnancy Information Services moved out of Klinic and formed Women’s Health Clinic, and began operation with full support from Klinic.
1983: Obstetrical and pediatric services to the community began.
1984: Outreach workers were hired.
1986: Klinic initiated the Evolve Program, providing services for women, children and men affected by domestic abuse.
September 1990: Klinic moved to its existing location at 870 Portage Avenue.
Fall 1993: A health educator was hired.
1997: During the flood of 1997, Klinic provided Flood Stress Line services for Manitobans.
1997: Teen Talk, Administrative Support Services for other non-profit agencies, and a public education program were all launched.
1997-1998: Klinic provided primary health care and specialized services for Kosovo refugees.
1998: Klinic provided back up to city emergency rooms during the major flu outbreak.
September 1998: The LINKS project with the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres was initiated.
May 1999: The Social Worker Services Program was launched.
April of 2000: A dietitian was hired.
October 2000: Klinic premiered the film BEYOND: Surviving the Reality of Sexual Assault. This Klinic-produced film is the only Canadian training film on sexual assault.
November 2000: The Manitoba Farm & Rural Stress Line was launched as a provincially mandated program with an office in Brandon, Manitoba.
November 2001: The Community Drop-In Counselling Program began providing services at four community sites.
February 2004: The Teen Talk program moved to Klinic on Broadway at 545 Broadway
April 2004: Klinic’s Community Drop-In Counselling program moved to Klinic on Broadway.
2008: The Manitoba Suicide Line was launched.
2008: Klinic on Campus started at the University of Winnipeg.
2008: Teen Klinic services started at Tec Voc.
2008: Klinic became the head office for CASP (Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention).
2009: Received funding for CIRSL (Critical Incident Reporting & Support Line).
2009: Received funding for the first Manitoba Transgender Clinic.
2010: Funded for the Seniors Abuse Support Line.
2010: SPEAK (Suicide Postvention Education Awareness Knowledge) became a program at Klinic
2011: Funded for the Manitoba Trauma Information & Education Centre.
2012: Funded for Project Choices.
April 2015: CASP head office moved.
June 2015: Klinic launched new brand and website.
2016: Manitoba Suicide Line is renamed to Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line.
2017: Klinic on Broadway building is sold to West Broadway Community Association and Drop-in services relocated to 870 Portage Avenue.
2018: Klinic partners with University of Manitoba to provide on-campus sexual assault counselling services. Klinic partners with AFM to provide trauma counselling for Manitoba Opioid Support and Treatment Program (MOST).
2019: Klinic receives funding for the Mobile Management Withdrawal Service. Klinic receives funding for expansion of mental health services and specialized trauma counselling.
July 2020: Klinic moves back to its roots in West Broadway and is now located at 167 Sherbrook Street. The building is shared with Sexuality Education Resource Centre and Occupational Health Centre.