Overview

On December 3, Care for All Canada partnered with the Hispanic Development Council (HDC) to deliver a skincare and wound care distribution event accompanied by an educational health workshop tailored for Toronto’s Spanish-speaking communities. This initiative aligns with our shared commitment to promoting equitable access to care and empowering marginalized populations with the knowledge and resources needed to maintain healthy skin.

The Hispanic Development Council, founded in 1978 and dedicated to advancing the social, economic, cultural, and political participation of Hispanic/Latino communities in Canada, provided a warm, inclusive, and community-driven space for this event. Their mission to ensure that every member of the Latino/Hispanic community can access essential services reflects a powerful commitment to social capital and community capacity-building. We were honoured to support this work through dermatologic outreach.

Activities and Engagement

Skincare Distribution

We distributed 650 skincare products selected to meet the needs of diverse skin types and common dermatologic concerns within the community. Products included:

• 150× acne facial cleansers

• 100× gentle facial cleansers

• 150× emollient creams

• 200× emollient lotions
  
  

These items were chosen to address dryness, irritation, acne, and environmental stressors, issues commonly experienced by newcomers, youth, and individuals facing barriers to consistent primary care access.

Educational Presentation (45 minutes)

Our team delivered an accessible and culturally sensitive presentation covering:

• When to seek medical care for skin concerns

• How to recognize acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer, and non-healing wounds

• Basic strategies for skin maintenance and early detection

• Navigating local healthcare resources available in Toronto
  
  

The session emphasized health literacy, self-advocacy, and early recognition, key tools in reducing preventable complications and improving quality of life.

One-on-One Conversations

Volunteers engaged participants in supportive, informal conversations about skincare routines, product selection, and how to monitor changes in their skin. Many attendees expressed appreciation for the individualized guidance provided in both English and Spanish.

Community Impact

● Residents Served: 55

● Products Distributed: 650

● Languages Spoken: Primarily Spanish and English

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participants highlighted the value of receiving not only products but also trustworthy education delivered in a warm, community-rooted environment. The HDC team noted that health literacy, particularly around dermatologic issues, is a major unmet need in the population they serve.

Reflections and Next Steps

This event strengthened our collaboration with the Hispanic Development Council and underscored the importance of culturally responsive health outreach. HDC’s long-standing mission, to ensure that every member of the Latino/Hispanic community can access systems and institutions that support a sustainable quality of life, deeply aligns with Care for All Canada’s belief in accessible dermatologic care for all.

Moving forward, we hope to:

• Plan seasonal product distribution events

• Deliver follow-up workshops focusing on skin cancer awareness, chronic skin disease, and wound care

• Support HDC’s youth programming with targeted skin-health education

We extend our sincere gratitude to the staff, volunteers, and community members of HDC for their collaboration, hospitality, and dedication to uplifting the communities they serve.

Prepared by:
Care for All Canada
careforallcanada@gmail.com