Care that comes to you.
Support that puts you first.
Who we are
We are a mobile outreach team of Addiction Workers, Community Paramedics, Peer Support Workers, Care Coordinators and Mental Health Crisis Workers.
How we help
We come to you—wherever you are—to make it easier to get the mental health and substance support you need. Together, we’ll create a plan tailored to you and help connect you with the right services.
About the MESA Initiative
MESA is a partnership in Renfrew County that helps people facing housing, mental health challenges and substance use difficulties.
MESA brings together Renfrew County services, community organizations, and other local partners to connect people with the right support at the right time. Services work together to address individual health, housing, social, cultural, and community needs.
With funding from Health Canada in 2024, MESA expanded its services to include outreach, care coordination, and peer support, alongside existing addictions and community paramedic services. MESA also promotes Indigenous cultural healing and aims to provide compassionate, flexible, and easy-to-access care.
By working together, MESA helps people connect with housing, mental health, substance use, social services, and community supports to build a healthier and stronger community.
What we Offer
Testimonials
We are a mobile outreach team of Addiction Workers, Community Paramedics, Peer Support Workers, Care Coordinators and Mental Health Crisis Workers.
Resources
Here you will find helpful information about health, prevention, and harm reduction. These documents include information about health conditions, care services, and ways to reduce risks and stay safe.
They are available to help you learn more and find support if you need it.
Learn more about Hep C transmission, prevention, treatment and care in this brochure.
Essential foot care tips to help prevent injuries and infections – taking care of your feet is key to staying mobile and healthy!
How to keep yourself safe when smoking crack and crystal.
A practical wound care guide that highlights why proper wound care matters, with simple steps to prevent infection and promote healing.
A clear, approachable guide on genital herpes—covering symptoms, transmission, prevention, and treatment—designed to help you stay informed and access support with confidence.
Your quick guide on staying safe and knowing about potential harms.
Learn and Test your Knowledge!
Get the facts and know the risks associated with opioid use through four interactive free educational games created by Health Canada.
Use your opioid awareness to spot the Fentanyl
What are the signs of an opioid overdose? Learn how to spot them.
Learn more about opioids and how naloxone and the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act can help.
Test your knowledge on the facts about opioids by taking this quiz.
Learn about how stigma impacts people who use drugs.
Content published by Health Canada, on Health Canada Experiences.
For Frontline Service Providers
This is a library of educational resources dedicated to frontline service to support person-centered care. This library contains documents / resources on a wide range of topics including harm reduction, specific mental health disorders, health information and client safety.
Information and Updates
This section provides information and updates for community partners and organizations working with or interested in the MESA initiative. Here you will find reports, documents, and information.
These materials are shared to keep partners informed about ongoing work and opportunities to connect.
Mesa Mobile Community Outreach Team Expansion Project
Mesa Renfrew County Mobile Substance Use Service
In Spring 2025 we asked clients, providers, partners, and collaborators what was going well with Mesa and what could be improved. Here is what we heard.
In Spring 2025, we spoke to Mesa service providers, partners, collaborators, clients, and community members about Mesa. Here are the key takeaways.
In Spring 2025, we spoke to Mesa service providers, partners, collaborators, clients, and community members about Mesa. Here are the key takeaways.
Voices of Lived Experience
Every story has the power to challenge stigma. Hear directly from people with lived experience as they share their personal journeys, the barriers they’ve faced, and the resilience they’ve found along the way.
Mike Morrison’s Story
Peer Support Worker / Lived Experience Champion
David Dupuis’s Story
Peer Support Worker / Lived Experience Champion
Jasmine Sherban’s Story
Lived Experience Champion
June Adamson’s Story
Lived Experience Champion
Jordan Laronde’s Story
Lived Experience Champion
Kim MacLeod’s Story
Service Director, Addictions Treatment Services / Renfrew County Wellness Hub Renfrew Victoria Hospital
Sabrina Donnelly’s Story
Support Worker / Lived Experience Champion
Phil Cloutier’s Story
Lived Experience Champion
MESA Visual Material
Download informational materials, flyers, and quick-reference cards to learn more about the MESA service and available supports.
Informative poster for service providers about MESA’s objectives and services.
Carry essential information and resources with you at all times.
MESA’s information and services explained in one postcard.
Provides healthcare outside of traditional settings, focuses on preventing illness, helps you stay healthy, and connects you with community supports.
Provides support for you to navigate the system as easily as possible, including a social needs assessment, working on goals, getting referrals, having a care plan, and having someone to advocate for you.
Provides quick and easy support for substance use health. Meets you wherever you are at and helps you access the services you need, along with creating a care plan with you and supporting you through the treatment process.
Provides one-on-one visits to support your health and wellness concerns. We will be there to provide emotional support and help you access the services you need.
Harm reduction supplies includes sterile drug equipment like needles, sterile water, cookers, filters, tourniquets, vitamin C, pipes, straws, mouth pieces, safer sex supplies and more!
Unregulated substances can change from batch to batch. Drug checking tests your drugs to provide the most accurate information about your drugs before you use them!
An educational resource that promotes awareness of human trafficking and supports early identification and access to help.
A poster designed to promote stigma reduction, encourage person-centered care, and support respectful and equitable access to services for people who use substances.
Get Support
Our Partners
Renfrew County District Drug Strategy
City of Pembroke
Ottawa West Four Rivers (OWFR) Ontario Health Team (OHT)
Algonquin College
County of Renfrew Community Services
MacKay Manor
Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation Health Centre
County of Renfrew Housing Department
Pembroke Regional Hospital
Ontario Addiction Treatment Services (OATC)
Ottawa Valley Ontario Health Team
Addictions Treatment Services - Renfrew Victoria Hospital
Pathways Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services
RCVATC
Columbus House
Parole & Probation Services
Family and Children's Services of Renfrew County
Phoenix Centre
Mental Health Services of Renfrew County
Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre
Harvest House Ministries
Petawawa Pantry
St Joseph Pembroke Foodbank
Renfrew & District Food Bank
St Vincent de Paul Society
Bernadette McCann House
Women’s Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew County
Alcoholics Anonymous Pembroke
Ottawa Area Narcotics Anonymous
Deep River and District Hospital
Renfrew Victoria Hospital
St. Francis Memorial Hospital
Upper Ottawa Valley Ontario Provincial Polices Services
Health Canada
Ontario Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions
Ontario Health - Mental Health and Addictions Centre
Ontario Ministry of Mental Health
Renfrew County and District Health Unit
County of Renfrew Paramedic Service
