Across Boundaries

What Across Boundaries does

Across Boundaries is a registered charitable nonprofit organization (Registered charity number: 14098262 RR 0001) founded in 1995 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada. It provides community-based mental health and addiction services to Black and racialized individuals aged 15 and older living in the Greater Toronto Area, operating through a main office on Clarkson Avenue and two community hubs in Scarborough and North York. The organization employs 51–100 staff and delivers all services free of charge to eligible clients, with no fees assessed at any point of service delivery.

Across Boundaries' service portfolio is anchored in an explicit Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression/Anti-Black racism (AR/AR/AO-ARAO) framework that has been operational since inception. Core programs include Adult Mental Health Case Management, Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Case Management, 2SLGBTQIA++ Case Management, At Home/Housing First Case Management, the Mental Health and Justice Initiative (MHJI), the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) program delivered in partnership with CMHA and Hong Fook Mental Health, Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Day Program), substance use health and harm reduction services, short-term counselling, family and caregiver support, and acupuncture. Multilingual service delivery is a defining operational feature: staff collectively speak 30+ languages, including Caribbean dialects, African, South Asian, Central Asian, and Southeast Asian languages. The organization also publishes a podcast ("Speak, Unspoken") and offers free self-paced anti-racism/anti-oppression training modules to the public.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding structure. Revenue is sourced from three primary streams: Ontario government health and social service funding (which underwrites the bulk of clinical service delivery), charitable donations from individuals and corporations (collected via CanadaHelps, corporate partnerships, legacy gifts, and the Moka round-up platform), and foundation grants. All services are free to end users, and clients access them through self-referral, the centralized Access Point intake service, Streamlined Access in York Region, or referrals from healthcare providers, social service agencies, schools, religious institutions, diversion programs, and the criminal justice system. Clients are segmented across three primary personas — racialized adults aged 29+, transitional-aged youth aged 15–29, and 2SLGBTQIA++ individuals from racialized communities — with additional use-case segments covering homelessness and criminal justice involvement. The organization is not a technology company, does not operate a software platform, and does not generate revenue from product sales.

Name

Across Boundaries

Legal name

Across Boundaries

Website

https://acrossboundaries.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Across Boundaries is a Toronto-based registered charity founded in 1995 that provides free, culturally responsive mental health and addiction case management, therapy, harm reduction, and psychosocial rehabilitation services to Black and racialized individuals aged 15+ across the Greater Toronto Area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Mental Health and Addiction Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) & Public Behavioral Health Providers (HLAFACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outpatient Mental Health & Counseling Clinics (HLAFABAC), Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services) (HLAFACAL), Mental Health Counseling & Psychotherapy Services (EDALAFAB)

Keywords

• Community mental health services
• Addictions counseling support
• Case management programs
• Psychosocial rehabilitation services
• Culturally responsive therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Charitable donations: Across Boundaries is a registered charitable organization (Registered charity number: 14098262 RR 0001) that relies on monetary donations from individuals and corporations. Recurring and one-time donations are accepted via CanadaHelps. Corporate partnerships, fundraising events, legacy gifts (bequests/wills), and the Moka app round-up donation platform are also used.
2. Government-funded services: The organization is funded through Ontario government health and social service funding to provide free mental health and addiction programs including case management, OSP therapy, psychosocial rehabilitation, and justice-related services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Across Boundaries provides free, community-based mental health and addiction services to Black and racialized individuals aged 15 and older in the Greater Toronto Area. Its core offerings include case management (adult, youth, 2SLGBTQIA++, and Housing First), Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (CBT-based therapy), psychosocial rehabilitation (day program), psychiatric consultation, substance use and harm reduction services, family/caregiver support, acupuncture, and Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression training programs. All services are delivered in 15–30+ languages and are anchored in anti-racist, anti-oppressive frameworks.

Product overview

Across Boundaries operates as a single unified organization providing community-based mental health and addiction services to racialized and Black communities in the Greater Toronto Area. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of services anchored in anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks. Core services include case management programs for adults (Adult Mental Health Case Management), youth (Transitional Aged Youth/TAY), 2SLGBTQIA++ communities, and Housing First support. The Mental Health and Justice Initiative provides criminal justice system navigation, while the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) program delivers CBT-based therapy. Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Day Program) provides skill-building activities including art, yoga, and music therapy. The organization also offers substance use health services, short-term counselling, family/caregiver support, and acupuncture. Training offerings include free self-paced AR/AO online modules covering Black 2SLGBTQ+ mental health, harm reduction, and racial justice topics, and professional Anti-Oppression/Anti-Racism Training workshops for organizations. The Speak, Unspoken podcast amplifies voices on mental health in Black communities. All services are provided in over 15 languages including Caribbean dialects, African, Central Asian, South Asian, and South East Asian languages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Speak, Unspoken Podcast: A limited podcast series dedicated to uncovering and illuminating truths around mental health challenges, concerns, and care systems, particularly within Black communities.

Products and services

• Adult Mental Health Case Management Services Community-based mental health support for racialized and Black individuals aged 15 and older, providing one-on-one support, community outreach, support groups, complementary therapies, skills-building, and social/recreational activities.
• Youth Case Management Services – Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Mental health and addiction support for transitional-aged youth (ages 15-29) serving the GTA area bordered by Dufferin Street, Humber River, Steeles Avenue, and Highway 401.
• 2SLGBTQIA++ Case Management Specialized case management addressing unique challenges faced by 2SLGBTQIA++ communities including housing, education, employment, legal issues, immigration, social services, ODSP, and Ontario Works, offering multilingual, trauma-informed counselling and peer support.
• At Home/Housing First Case Management Services Intensive case management based on the Housing First model, supporting racialized individuals transitioning from long-term homelessness to independent living with mental health challenges.
• Mental Health and Justice Initiative (MHJI) Mental health and housing support services for individuals moving through the criminal justice system, delivered in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association.
• Mental Health & Justice Short-Term Community Support Case management services for up to six months supporting racialized individuals with mental health challenges through the criminal justice system, assisting with release planning, court support, and alternatives to criminal justice system.
• Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP)

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% of participants in culturally adapted Housing First programs remained stably housed over two years vs. 41% in standard model
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMHA is a key strategic partner delivering the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) program alongside Across Boundaries and Hong Fook Mental Health Association. OSP provides free CBT-based therapy (guided self-help, bibliotherapy, and individual/group CBT) for adults 18+ with depression, stress, and anxiety in York Region, South Simcoe, North York, North Etobicoke, and Malton. CMHA also partners on the Mental Health and Justice Initiative (MHJI) providing mental health and housing support for individuals moving through the criminal justice system.
• Hong Fook Mental Health AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHong Fook Mental Health Association is a co-delivery partner in the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) program alongside CMHA and Across Boundaries. The partnership provides multilingual therapy services in the York Region, South Simcoe, North York, North Etobicoke, and Malton areas, addressing the mental health needs of diverse East and Southeast Asian communities and other populations.
• Access Point (The Access Point)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAccess Point is the centralized intake service for Case Management Services in Toronto. Prospective clients complete an online referral form indicating Across Boundaries as their preferred agency. Access Point confirms eligibility and manages the waitlist, directing clients to Across Boundaries when a spot opens. Access Point serves as the primary referral gateway for adult, youth, and specialty case management programs.
• Streamlined Access (York Region)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreamlined Access in York Region serves as the intake point for individuals living in York Region seeking case management services from Across Boundaries. Clients in York Region are directed to contact Streamlined Access at 1-(888) 695-0070 ext. 2278 rather than Access Point.
• Working for ChangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking for Change is an umbrella organization for several social purpose enterprises. Dawnmarie Harriott, a Board Member of Across Boundaries, serves as Program Manager of leadership programs at Working for Change, creating connections between the two organizations in the mental health and social justice sector.
• Healthcare Excellence CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare Excellence Canada is the host of Canadian Patient Safety Week (CPSW), an annual national campaign. Across Boundaries participates in CPSW to enhance patient safety, recognize staff as Patient Safety Champions, and promote a culture of continuous learning — all focused on reducing harm including culturally unsafe care.
• Mental Health Commission of CanadaminorOthersThe Mental Health Commission of Canada publishes resources referenced by Across Boundaries including 'Finding New Pathways' reference guide and action plan. Across Boundaries directs service users to these resources as part of its mental health and substance use health resource library.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TAIBU Community Health Centre: Scarborough-based CHC serving Black communities in the GTA with primary care, mental health, and community programs. Highly comparable as a culturally anchored health provider serving the same racialized populations in overlapping geography.
• Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre: Toronto CHC providing primary healthcare to Black and racialized women. Direct peer with shared mission of culturally responsive care for racialized populations and overlapping GTA service area.
• Black CAP (Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention): Toronto-based organization serving Black communities with health and wellness programming. Direct peer sharing the GTA-based, Black-community-anchored service model and overlapping volunteer/board networks with Across Boundaries.
• Sherbourne Health Centre: Toronto health centre serving LGBTQ+ communities, newcomers, and people experiencing homelessness. Direct peer - shares Across Boundaries' 2SLGBTQIA++ affirming services, harm reduction approach, and downtown Toronto footprint.
• Hong Fook Mental Health Association: Toronto-based mental health agency serving Asian communities in the GTA. Direct peer - co-delivers the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) program with Across Boundaries, shares the same multicultural, community-based, multilingual service model.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) - Toronto Branch: Ontario's largest community mental health organization and a co-delivery partner with Across Boundaries on OSP and MHJI. Broad incumbent offering overlapping case management and mental health services but at much larger scale and without Across Boundaries' narrow racialized-community focus.
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, also home to Shkaabe Makwa (CAMH's Indigenous health centre where Board member Rebecca Mador works). Broad incumbent offering overlapping behavioral health capabilities, with Shkaabe Makwa providing a culturally responsive parallel to Across Boundaries' model.

Regional players

• Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre: Toronto CHC providing mental health, harm reduction, and primary care services to marginalized populations including people experiencing homelessness and substance use issues. Comparable in community-based, anti-oppression approach with overlapping service offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acrossboundaries
• Instagraminstagram.com/acrossboundariesmentalhealth
• Xx.com/AB_MentalHealth
• Facebookfacebook.com/acrossboundariesmentalhealth

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Across Boundaries