What Krasman Centre does

Krasman Centre (legal name: Lance Krasman Memorial Centre for Community Mental Health) is a Canadian non-profit Consumer/Survivor Initiative founded in 1996 in memory of Lance Krasman and headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario. The organization provides peer support-based programs for individuals with lived experience of mental health, substance use, and housing challenges, as well as for their families and caregivers. It operates three physical drop-in locations (Richmond Hill, Alliston, Newmarket), a 24/7 telephone Warm Line and live chat service, virtual peer support groups via Zoom, hospital-based embedded peer navigators in three health systems (North York General, Southlake Regional, Women's College), mobile outreach teams, and culturally specific programming through the Inaadiziwin Centre on Georgina Island First Nation. The Sanctuary, a six-month pilot drop-in program in Georgina, is scheduled to launch May 1, 2026.

Core services are grounded in established peer support methodologies, principally Intentional Peer Support and the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), with a workforce pipeline anchored by the Peer Recovery Education Program (PREP), which delivers 60-hour paid internships to 15 participants annually. Adjacent offerings include the Family Support Program, Housing to Health (Housing First) program in partnership with BlueDoor and LOFT, peer support embedded in detox and residential treatment settings, the LEAMHA lived-experience advocacy coalition, and the Community of Practice forum. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed entirely of consumer/survivors and family members and is Accredited with Commendation by Accreditation Canada (2022).

The business model is grant-funded and donation-supported with no fee-for-service revenue. Primary funders are the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Ontario Health, United Way Greater Toronto, Regional Municipality of York, County of Simcoe, and three hospital systems, supplemented by federal funding (Community Services Recovery Fund, 2024) and individual/corporate donations processed through CanadaHelps. All services are delivered free of charge with no waitlists, intake assessments, or diagnostic prerequisites, and the organization is a member of four Ontario Health Teams that channel coordinated referrals across York Region, South Simcoe, and North Toronto.

Name

Krasman Centre

Legal name

Lance Krasman Memorial Centre for Community Mental Health

Website

https://krasmancentre.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Krasman Centre is a Canadian non-profit Consumer/Survivor Initiative providing free, low-barrier peer support services for individuals with lived experience of mental health, substance use, and housing challenges across York Region, South Simcoe, and North Toronto, funded primarily by provincial and municipal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Mental Health Peer Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)

Keywords

• Peer support services
• Mental health support
• Consumer survivor initiative
• Community mental health
• Peer crisis support

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond Hill

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Grants (Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care): Primary funding source from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, which funds the Consumer/Survivor Initiative as a core mental health service provider in the Central LHIN region.
2. Ontario Health Funding: Ontario Health provides funding for specific programs including Family Support Program, Welcome Basket Transitional Support Program, and hospital-based peer navigator programs.
3. United Way Greater Toronto Grants: United Way Greater Toronto funds the PREP program (Peer Recovery Education Program with paid internships for 15 participants) and Reaching Home funding for the Drop-in Peer Navigator Program supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
4. Municipal and Regional Funding: York Region provides funding for drop-in centres and the York Region Peer Support Outreach Program. County of Simcoe funds programs through the Social and Community Investment Fund.
5. Donations: Charitable donations accepted from individuals and organizations; donations are processed through CanadaHelps. No fee-for-service model; all programs are free to participants.
6. Hospital Partnership Funding: North York General Hospital and Women’s College Hospital provide funding for peer supporters embedded in their Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinics and emergency departments.
7. Addiction Services Central Ontario Funding: Funding for the Wellness Collaborative / Addictions Peer Support Outreach program and residential treatment peer support partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Krasman Centre is a Consumer/Survivor Initiative that provides peer support-based programs, welcoming hubs, and resources for individuals with lived experience of mental health, substance use, and housing challenges, as well as their families. Services are delivered through 24/7 telephone Warm Line and live chat, drop-in centres in Richmond Hill and Alliston, virtual peer support groups, hospital-based peer navigators, mobile outreach, and recovery education programs including PREP and WRAP. All services are free, low-barrier, and provided without waitlists, intake, or assessments.

Product overview

Krasman Centre is a Consumer/Survivor Initiative providing peer support-based programs and services for individuals with lived experience of mental health, substance use, and housing challenges. The organization operates as a collection of interconnected services rather than a unified software platform. Core offerings include the Warm Line & Peer Crisis Support Services (24/7 telephone and chat support), Drop-in Centres in Richmond Hill, Alliston, and Newmarket, and the PREP training program. Additional services include Family Support, WRAP workshops, LEAMHA advocacy, Virtual Peer Support Groups, Application Support, Housing To Health, Inaadiziwin Centre for Georgina Island First Nation, Peer Navigator Programs in hospitals, and The Sanctuary (Georgina drop-in pilot). These programs are funded by Ontario Health, United Way Greater Toronto, York Region, and various grants, and are coordinated through Ontario Health Teams partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Inaadiziwin Centre: A culturally appropriate peer support-based program serving vulnerable residents of Georgina Island First Nation. The name means 'Way of Life' and provides one-on-one peer support, Miijim Taaswin (Food cupboard), information and referrals, and in-person gathering circles.
• The Sanctuary – Georgina Peer Support Drop-in Program
• LEAMHA (Lived Experience Advocates for Mental Health & Addictions)
• PREP (Peer Recovery Education Program)

Products and services

• Warm Line & Peer Crisis Support Services 24/7, 365-day telephone peer support line (toll-free 1-888-777-0979) and live chat (10am-midnight) providing non-crisis and crisis support from a recovery-informed perspective rooted in lived experience.
• Drop-in Centres Low-barrier physical spaces in Richmond Hill, Alliston, and Newmarket providing peer support, system navigation, harm reduction resources, food, clothing, hygiene items, showers, phones/computers, and social connection with no waitlists or assessments.
• PREP (Peer Recovery Education Program) Comprehensive training and mentorship program in peer support for individuals with lived experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges, including paid 60-hour internships for 15 participants annually aligned with Mental Health Commission of Canada guidelines.
• Family Support Program Provides one-on-one virtual family peer support via phone or email, recovery education, system navigation, and weekly virtual Family Support Group for caregivers supporting loved ones with mental health and/or addiction challenges.
• Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Evidence-based, peer-led program supporting individuals in developing personalized wellness tools, including daily maintenance plans, identifying triggers and early warning signs, and creating crisis/post-crisis plans.
• LEAMHA (Lived Experience Advocates for Mental Health & Addictions) Peer-led advocacy coalition grounded in lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges that influences policy, challenges systemic barriers, and promotes community-driven harm reduction solutions.
• Virtual Peer Support Groups Online peer support groups delivered via Zoom including The Meeting Spot, Family Support Group, Tough Stuff addiction group, Big Ideas TEDx discussions, and Exploring Emotions and Behaviors workshops.
• Application Support Program Supports York Region residents with mental health or substance use challenges in applying for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD), and other benefits.
• Housing To Health Program Housing First program supporting people who have experienced chronic or episodic homelessness to find and maintain housing with wraparound peer supports, delivered in partnership with BlueDoor and LOFT Housing.
• Inaadiziwin Centre

Quantifiable outcome

• Studies show people who use peer support achieve outcomes similar to or better than those using traditional services only, including reduced substance use, reduced experiences of psychosis and depression, and reduced use of health services including hospitals.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario Health Team (EYRND OHT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrasman Centre is a member of the EYRND OHT, which serves the Township of Uxbridge, City of Markham, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, and community of Thornhill. The OHT focuses on integrated services for mental health and addiction, people living with dementia, unattached patients, frail/complex older adults, and patients with chronic conditions.
• Northern York South Simcoe Ontario Health Team (NYSS OHT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrasman Centre is a member of the NYSS OHT, serving the Town of Aurora, Town of Newmarket, Town of East Gwilimbury, Town of Georgina, and the Town of Bradford. The OHT works to improve access to and quality of care for patients across the region.
• Western York Region Ontario Health Team (WYR OHT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrasman Centre is a member of the Western York Region OHT, focused on coordinating services with community partners to provide better care in King, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill. The goal is to deliver coordinated services and a pathway to better living.
• North York Toronto Health Partners Ontario Health Team (NYTHP OHT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrasman Centre is a member of the NYTHP OHT, a partnership of healthcare providers across the continuum working together to design a connected system and deliver seamless care for patients in the North York Toronto area.
• Southlake Regional Health CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer supporters assist people with mental health and addictions challenges seeking care in the Emergency Department of Southlake Regional Health Centre by drawing on their own lived experiences and connecting individuals with community-based supports. Funded by Ontario Health.
• North York General HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer supporters assist people with mental health and addictions challenges in the Emergency Department and the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic at North York General Hospital, offering 1:1 peer support and system navigation. Funded by Ontario Health and North York General Hospital.
• Women's College HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Krasman Centre Peer Supporter works in the Substance Use Service including the RAAM clinic at Women's College Hospital, assisting individuals seeking care and enhancing engagement in care for substance use and/or mental health challenges. Funded by Women's College Hospital.
• BlueDoorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Housing to Health (Housing First) program supporting people who have experienced chronic or episodic homelessness to find and maintain housing with wraparound supports. Also partners on the Beaverton Transitional Housing Program with a Peer Supporter embedded in transitional housing in north Durham.
• LOFT Housing and Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Housing to Health program alongside BlueDoor, supporting people who have experienced homelessness to find and maintain housing while offering ongoing wraparound peer supports.
• Your Support Services NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrasman Centre offers Peer Support to individuals accessing the Safe Beds programs (crisis/short-term, respite beds with wraparound supports) in York Region and South Simcoe, funded through Your Support Services Network.
• Addiction Services Central OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding and program partner for the Wellness Collaborative / Addictions Peer Support Outreach program (mobile outreach, presentations, peer-based groups, recovery education, social/recreational activities) and for peer supporter embedding at withdrawal management and residential treatment centres including Caritas (York Region Detox Centre) and VitaNova.
• Chippewas of Georgina Island First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Inaadiziwin Centre on Georgina Island First Nation provides culturally relevant peer support programs led by trained Peer Supporters who are members of the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The program is rooted in community care, connection, and collective healing with Indigenous knowledge at the centre.
• Richmond Hill Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Krasman Centre workshops including 'Who Am I?', 'Let's Talk about Boundaries!', 'Healing through Writing', 'Healing through the Body', and 'Healing through Art' at the Central Branch location (1 Atkinson St, Richmond Hill).
• VitaNova (Residential Treatment)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrasman Centre has Peer Supporters embedded at VitaNova residential treatment facility, providing peer support during the treatment journey alongside clinical care.
• Caritas (York Region Detox Centre)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrasman Centre has Peer Supporters embedded at the York Region Detox Centre (Caritas) supporting individuals through the withdrawal management process using peer support recovery tools.
• PeerWorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrasman Centre is linked with PeerWorks (formerly Ontario Peer Development Initiative) as part of the Consumer/Survivor Initiative network. PeerWorks provides training, education, and professional development resources for peer support organizations.
• Belinda's PlaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKrasman Centre hosts free WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) workshops at Belinda's Place in Newmarket, serving women and non-binary adults in York Region with a three-session peer-led wellness planning program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stella's Place: Toronto peer-support mental health organization for ages 16–29. Directly comparable on peer-led drop-in programming, recovery-oriented services, and digital/online support groups, although serving a younger demographic than Krasman.
• Across Boundaries: Toronto-based consumer/survivor mental health organization serving racialized communities. Highly comparable peer-led model with drop-in programming, system navigation, and harm reduction services for people with lived experience of mental health challenges in the Greater Toronto Area.
• PeerWorks (Ontario Peer Development Initiative): Ontario-wide peer support network and training body explicitly linked to Krasman Centre through the Consumer/Survivor Initiative network. Directly comparable as a peer-led non-profit providing training, education, and professional development for peer support organizations across Ontario.
• PLEO (Peer Leadership for Empowerment and Occupation): Ottawa-based peer support organization supporting people with lived experience of mental health challenges through peer support, employment programs, and education. Comparable peer-led, recovery-informed model with similar training and workforce-development components to PREP.
• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) York Region and South Simcoe Branch: Regional CMHA branch operating across the same York Region and South Simcoe geography as Krasman, providing mental health and addictions support including peer support, case management, and housing programs. Most direct regional competitor for OHT and municipal contracts.

Emerging players

• Mood Disorders Association of Ontario (MDAO): Provincial peer support organization for people with mood disorders, founded in the same era as Krasman. Comparable on peer-led mutual support groups and recovery education, though smaller scale and narrower clinical focus than Krasman's broader mandate.
• Family Association for Mental Health Everywhere (FAME): Family/caregiver peer support organization operating across Ontario. Comparable to Krasman's Family Support Program through peer-led family/caregiver support groups, system navigation, and recovery education for families of people with mental health challenges.

Regional players

• Houselink Community Homes: Toronto-based supportive housing non-profit serving people with mental health and addiction challenges. Comparable on the housing/mental health intersection, including Housing First programs, and on partnerships with BlueDoor/LOFT-like housing providers, though focused more narrowly on housing than Krasman's peer support breadth.
• Fred Victor: Toronto-based multi-service non-profit serving people experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and poverty. Comparable on the drop-in/harm reduction/housing support intersection that Krasman addresses through its Housing to Health and Newmarket drop-by programs, though a much larger organization.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario (CMHA Ontario): Provincial umbrella for CMHA branches. Operates broadly across the mental health and addictions sector with peer support, housing, and advocacy programs; competes with Krasman for the same Ontario Health and provincial grant pool at a much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KrasmanCentre
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXnIRY2r8JOpUH3-GBGDDyg/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/KrasmanCentre
• Instagraminstagram.com/krasmancentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-krasman-centre

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Krasman Centre