Staples Canada and MAP, Canada’s largest health equity research centre, are tackling chronic homelessness in Canada. By supporting MAP’s innovative research and evidence-based programs, Staples’ Even the Odds program is raising funds that help people to get housed, stay housed, and regain their health and wellbeing, announced the retailer on Monday.
“Even the Odds is about creating pathways to opportunity, and we recognize that stable housing is fundamental to education, employment, and overall well-being,” said Rachel Huckle, CEO, Staples Canada. “The proven success of MAP’s research gives us confidence that our support is making a tangible, lasting difference in communities across Canada.”
Until May 11, customers can donate to Even the Odds and fund this life-changing research at any one of Staples’ 298 stores or online at Staples.ca/EvenTheOdds. All donations will be matched by the company up to $500,000.
For more than 25 years, MAP has been a leader in solutions-focused research to find the best ways to improve health and housing outcomes for people who are unhoused, including co-leading the largest research trial in Canadian history to evaluate solutions to end homelessness. MAP is based at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.
“Our studies show that people experiencing chronic homelessness don’t just need housing—they need ongoing, individualized support in order to thrive and make positive changes in their lives,” said Dr. Stephen Hwang, Director of MAP and the Canada Research Chair in Homelessness, Housing and Health.
“I’m proud to say that MAP is among the organizations leading the world in this research, and the success of our Even the Odds programs demonstrates the power of investment in evidence-based interventions. Thanks to Staples Canada’s commitment, we can continue scaling to reach unhoused individuals across the country.”
Donations raised through Even the Odds will help fund several critical MAP programs, including MAP’s signature Navigator Program. The program pairs hospital patients who are homeless with an outreach counsellor—a “Navigator.” The Navigator gets to know the patient and connects them with the health and social support they need to break cycles of homelessness and poor health, and to move forward in securing housing that works for them, explained officials.
With support from Even the Odds, MAP said it has expanded the Navigator program from St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto to St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. To date, the innovative program has provided outreach support to more than a thousand people experiencing homelessness in Toronto and Vancouver, and will launch at CHUM (Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal) in Montréal later this year.
Since the launch of Even the Odds in 2021, Staples said it has raised more than $7 million in support of MAP. In addition to the Navigator program, this funding has expanded MAP’s work throughout Canada to help end childhood health inequities, and to break down barriers to care and disease prevention.
These equity-building initiatives include:
- APPLE Schools, an award-winning health promotion initiative to support a healthy start for children in underserved communities.
- OurCare, the largest cross-Canada conversation about the future of primary care and how to create a stronger, more equitable system.
- Healthbox, ‘smart’ vending machines that dispense free health supplies and essentials such as warm socks and hygiene products to people experiencing major barriers to healthcare.
- Healthy Food Prescription, a landmark research trial to test a promising approach to food insecurity and chronic disease inequities: grocery store vouchers prescribed by physicians to low-income patients with diabetes.
