Health Coaching to Wellness
Health Coaching to Wellness is an innovative partnership between Black Creek Community Health Centre and NexJ Health.
The Health Coaching to Wellness Program recruits and trains members of the community to be Health Coaches. Health Coaches use their skills and experience to connect people to services and support, reducing their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
This online program is a good fit if you:
- would like to improve your health habits
- are open to using new technology
- have not been diagnosed with diabetes
Many participants saw improvement in their blood sugar, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, weight, pain symptoms, stress levels.
Register today to earn $100 in rewards while working with a health coach on healthier habits.
For more information about the Health Coaching to Wellness program email
healthcoaching@bcchc.com or call 647 876 8606
Who are Community Health Coaches?
Community Health Coaches are people from the community with real life experiences and real motivation to help YOU achieve success!
Your Community Health Coach will:
- customize a unique plan that works for YOU
- help you set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals.
- keep you motivated to reach your goals and make them stick
- share tools and resources to support wellness – mind, body and soul.
Festus
I am passionate about empowering individuals, promoting well-being, and making a positive impact through effective communication, compassionate service, and continuous professional development.
Festus Eromi Paul is a multidisciplinary professional with more than 12 years of print journalism experience covering politics, environmental issues, and international news. With a degree in English, he brings strong communication, research, writing, and analytical skills to his diverse professional interests.
He is a certified Personal Support Worker (PSW) and Health Coach, a Direct Support Worker, and a student in the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) program. His interests include mental wellness, holistic health, person-centered care, and community support.
Davina
I’m thrilled to be returning as a Community Coach for the Health Coaching to Wellness program! Having lived int eh Black Creek community my entire life, I feel a strong connection to the community. I’m excited to continue supporting the community to build healthier lives and achieving better health outcomes.
Edith
My extensive community experience volunteering in schools, and a tax clinic lends itself to the privilege of joining the Health Coaching to Wellness Program.
I gain personal satisfaction from helping others prevent Type 2 diabetes by improving their habits with small, constant steps to improve their health.
I have faith in our beautiful, strong community; it gives me great pride that we support each other.
Michelle
I am a fourth-year nursing student at York University, and I grew up in the Jane and Finch/Black Creek community. I am the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, and I helped my own family navigate the health care system, which inspired me to join the Coaching to Wellness diabetes prevention program – to give back to our community.
My nursing education and diabetes research at Black Creek Community Health Centre reinforce my commitment to helping clients with diabetes prevention and accessible health information. By listening without judgment, setting realistic goals, and celebrating progress, I help people make changes that fit their culture, budget, and daily lives for long-term health and well-being.
Khadeejah
I want to turn my personal and family experience into support for others. I want to help my community learn diabetes can be prevented and managed with the right knowledge, support, and lifestyle changes.
Ingrid (French & English)
J’ai rejoint votre équipe parce que je crois qu’un accompagnement personnalisé et la prévention ont le pouvoir d’améliorer la qualité de vie des gens. Mon expérience en coordination, en communication et en accompagnement des utilisateurs m’a toujours amenée à aider les gens à adopter de nouvelles habitudes, à prendre confiance en eux et à progresser. Pour moi, devenir coach santé est un moyen concret de contribuer au bien-être de ma communauté en offrant un accompagnement accessible, bienveillant et sur mesure.
Nana
I am excited to be part of the Coaching to Wellness Program! I am currently a midwifery student with a background in public health and a passion for helping others live healthier lives.
I want to support individuals in making positive lifestyle changes and achieving their health goals. Diabetes prevention is important to me because I have friends who are living with diabetes, which has helped me see the importance of health education, awareness, and prevention.
As a health coach, I hope to encourage and empower community members to make small and realistic changes that support their long-term health goals.
I look forward to sharing what I learn, encouraging others to participate in the program, and helping build a healthier community together.
Sonique
I believe that healing the world, to make it a better place, starts with all of us. I am ecstatic to join the Coaching to Wellness Program!
My mother has diabetes, so I chose this path because I believe health is wealth. I want to guide and support others on their wellness journeys and help prevent diabetes for the next generation.
Jean-Luc (French & English)
Bonjour, je m’appelle Jean-Luc et je suis ravi de participer au programme « Coaching to Wellness » ! En tant que membre de la communauté de Black Creek, je souhaite apporter mon soutien aux autres et les encourager à opérer des changements positifs pour leur santé. Je suis convaincu que, petit à petit, on peut accomplir de grandes choses. Cela a fonctionné pour moi : grâce à ce programme, je suis passé de 223 livres (environ 101 kg) à 162 livres (environ 73 kg), et je n’ai même plus besoin de médicaments pour mon cholestérol ! J’aime beaucoup partager ce que j’apprends, tisser des liens avec les autres et contribuer à rendre un mode de vie sain plus accessible. J’ai rejoint ce programme parce que je souhaite redonner à ma communauté et sensibiliser les gens à l’importance de la prévention du diabète. Ensemble, nous pouvons nous soutenir mutuellement pour mener une vie plus saine.
The Health Coaching to Wellness Diabetes Prevention program started as a challenge in 2025. Black Creek Community Health Centre, in partnership with NexJ Health, was named as Grand Prize Winner – read more below.
Bringing Health Coaching to Communities across Ontario!
May 20, 2026: Black Creek Community Health Centre and Kinvia were named as the Grand Prize Winners, receiving $1.25 million each, from the Public Health Agency of Canada, for the Canada’s Diabetes Prevention Challenge.
On behalf of the Minister of Health, the Honourable Sonia Sidhu, MP, Brampton South, announced two grand prize winners: Black Creek Community Health Centre and Kinvia, who are recognized for the long-term potential of their diabetes prevention programs to support people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
As part of the next phase of the program, Black Creek Community Health Centre will be bringing Health Coaching to communities across Ontario.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Health Coaching to Wellness Diabetes Prevention (left to right) Daniela Liggio, NexJ Health; Michelle Westin, Black Creek CHC; Program Representative, Kinvia; Mapy Villaudy, Kinvia; Hon. Sonia Sidhu, MP, Brampton South; Cheryl Prescod, Black Creek CHC; Hon. Judy Sgro, MP, Humber River-Black Creek; Noah Wayne, NexJ Health.
