Introduction
Humber Polytechnic Well-being Strategy Annual Report 2023-2024
Launched in 2023, Humber’s Well-being Strategy aspires to optimize learner, employee, and community success by embedding health and well-being throughout our campus culture. Advocating for healthy behaviours, providing accessible and inclusive programs and services, promoting the natural assets of our surrounding environment, and developing policies that consider health impacts have all contributed to advancing the goals outlined in the four Dimensions of Well-being: physical, mental, financial, and social health.
Over the past year, departments across Humber have demonstrated exceptional resilience, adaptability, and dedication as we advanced Humber’s Well-being Strategy in prioritizing health and well-being in all aspects of our campus culture. This report represents our ongoing collaborative commitment to make Humber and the University of Guelph-Humber healthier places.
Humber acknowledges it is located within the traditional and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Known as Adoobiigok, the “Place of the Alders” in Michi Saagiig language, the region is uniquely situated along Humber River Watershed, which historically provided an integral connection for Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat peoples between the Ontario Lakeshore and the Lake Simcoe/Georgian Bay regions. Now home to people of numerous nations, Adoobiigok continues to provide a vital source of interconnection for all.
Message from Ian & Jennifer
We are pleased to present the first annual report on Humber’s Well-being Strategy. This milestone provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our progress, celebrate our achievements, and amplify the work being done across our community to make Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber healthier places to live, work, and learn.
Our Well-being Strategy has been instrumental in guiding us towards fostering an environment where all members of our community can thrive. Centered around four core pillars—Mental Wellbeing, Social Well-being, Physical Well-being, and Financial Well-being—this report provides an overview of the diverse and impactful initiatives undertaken across these areas.
Looking ahead, we are committed to continuing this vital work. We will remain responsive and adaptable, ensuring our strategy evolves in response to the evolving needs of our community. We invite all members of the Humber community to engage with this report, celebrate our achievements, and amplify the programs and initiatives within it.
Additional information about the Well-being Strategy can be found on the Humber Healthy You site. This platform aims to coordinate, elevate, and celebrate the extensive work being done across Humber to support our community’s well-being. We also invite your input; please use the feedback form available on the Healthy You website to share your thoughts or highlight initiatives that deserve recognition.
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the success of these initiatives. Your dedication and hard work are vital in building a healthy and supportive community at Humber. As we move forward, we remain committed to continuous improvement and adaptation to meet the changing needs of our community.
Sincerely,
Ian Crookshank
Associate Vice-President, Learner and Career Success
Jennifer O’Brien Vice-President, People(s) & Culture and Organizational Excellence
Strategic Collaboration
The Student Advisory Committee, Working Groups, and Steering Committee collaborate to provide strategic direction and amplification of Humber’s Well-being Strategy. The Student Advisory Committee, composed of 20 students from six Faculties, provides monthly feedback on campus services and events related to physical, mental, financial, and social health. The Working Groups, consisting of 21 members from various departments, monitor progress and report on the strategy’s goals, focusing on the four dimensions of well-being. The Steering Committee sets priorities, provides strategic direction, and ensures alignment with overall objectives. Together, they drive embedding health and well-being throughout our campus culture to optimize student and employee success.
85 students engaged in Healthy Cooking and Eating on a Budget workshops facilitated by Student Success and Engagement to learn about making nutritious meals in a cost-effective way.
Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences launched weekly free food days and raffle prizes, reducing food insecurity experienced by learners on campus.
11,000 free soups delivered to students from IGNITE’S soup bar, saving learners a total of $41,907 in food-related expenses.
Humber’s Office of Sustainability implemented Friendlier reusable containers at the North Campus in June 2023, enabling students, staff and faculty to reduce waste and avoid single-use plastic costs.
962 bursaries awarded by IGNITE to provide funds in support of student education.
“Learning about planning meals and cooking on a budget from a professional chef really helped me manage my finances better”
$150,500 total saved by students due to free tax assistance, management and financial knowledge offered by Humber’s Tax Clinic.
88 employee tuition reimbursements offered through Humber’s People and Culture (P&C) Tuition Assistance and Graduate Assistance Program to support employees pursuing professional development courses.
1st institution committed to offering free tuition to Indigenous students starting Fall 2024, making Humber a transformative leader in advancing Truth and Reconciliation.
5 financial literacy workshops facilitated in partnership with the Royal Bank of Canada to enhance student skills related to making investments, building good credit and budgeting.
2,581 students participated in Pride, Queer Book Club, and other programs led by Humber’s LGBTQ+ Resource Centre with 88% reporting that initiatives fostered a sense of connection.
Received 8,328 views on the newly launched Healthy YOU website, a one-stop-shop for students and employees to receive information on initiatives and events related to well-being.
268 total student, staff and faculty attendees engaged in Earth Fest, Thrift Pop Up Store and other sustainability events, developing an increased awareness of ways to conserve natural resources and protect global ecosystems.
537 total attendees engaged in Take Back the Night, a gender-based violence awareness campaign for faculty, students and staff to develop skills in supporting survivors and contributing to a safe campus culture.
Student Life launched the Spirituality and Wellness Centre in March 2023, providing an inclusive space for spiritual and religious practices.
More than 1,500 employees participated in social gatherings such as the President’s BBQ, Retiree’s Dinner, Career Milestones Luncheon and the Holiday Party.
65 employees attended a New Employee Orientation to become acquainted with Humber’s work culture and build social connections.
100 learners attended Student Life’s Black Student Success and Engagement Orientation, an equityfocused initiative to support Black students with academic excellence and building awareness of student service supports.
“It was informative
and helped me feel a sense
of belonging and connection”
2,003 incoming students joined the First Year Experience Mentorship Program, connecting with upperyear students to receive guidance and adjust to the post-secondary environment.
4,808 total student participants engaged in Diwali, Lunar New Year, International Women’s Day and other cultural events led by First Year Experience.
3,120 learners completed “It Takes All of Us”, a sexual violence prevention training with 95% agreeing that their sense of belonging and comfort at the institution improved from completing the module.
Humber’s Fitness Centre led 2,035 fitness classes, enabling students, staff and faculty with a motivating space to improve their mood, make friends and move mindfully.
Centre for Innovation, Health and Wellness offered students, staff and faculty 10-minute, 1-to1 healthy movement breaks to increase focus and reduce body aches.
45 nature walks led by Humber’s Arboretum and Centre for Ecology staff to immerse participants in greenery and foster mindfulness.
Humber’s Health Centre launched International Wellness Checks-Ins, an initiative to proactively connect an international student with a registered nurse to received personalized resources and enhance their overall wellbeing.
Presented the 2024 Green Building Visionary Award, positioning Humber at the forefront of global sustainability for establishing objectives like the Green Building Standards that require design spaces to encourage physical activity, promote health and celebrate culture.
“The group fitness class was more than a workout--it was fun, uplifting and made me feel like I was part of a community.”
Humber’s Health Centre completed 12,052 clinical appointments, providing learners with comprehensive healthcare and treatment.
Humber’s Fitness Centre launched adaptive sport days and invested in accessible equipment such as wheelchair treadmills to foster a welcoming atmosphere for learners and employees with diverse abilities.
323 students and employees received a flu shot to minimize the spread of respiratory viruses.
3,144 hours of rest were provided by IGNITE’S Sleep Lounge, a quiet, comfortable and restoring space for students to recharge between classes and maintain their academic success.
779 after-hour mental health resources provided to students from the Canadian Mental Health Association.
143 employees engaged in Support Staff Professional Development initiatives led by P&C to develop skills related to sustainability, personal well-being and mental health.
192 employees completed the “Recognize, Respond and Support Learners in Distress”, a 2.5-hour workshop to help staff and faculty recognize concerning behaviours, and respond empathically to learners in distress.
604 total participants engaged in “Humber Let’s Talk” events, a mental health awareness campaign to foster a sense of connection to self, peers and the campus among students, staff and faculty.
Centre for Innovation, Health and Wellness offered students, staff and faculty 10-minute, 1-to-1 healthy meditation breaks to reduce stress and anxiety.
72 learners attended Peer Active Listening sessions, 1-to-1 appointments for students to share their experiences with a trusted peer and learn about community resources.
“Seeing that there are dedicated days when people can come together to learn, review our work, share our visions and connect on both personal and professional levels meant a lot to me”
Humber’s Counselling team provided 2787 1-to-1 appointments, enabling learners to discuss personal challenges and develop coping strategies.
527 students completed the newly launched “Wellbeing at Humber: Be There for Yourself and Others”, a 90-minute workshop to equip students with supporting themselves or a peer in distress.
353 total student attendees engaged in peer-led wellness workshops with 90% reporting confidence in their ability to apply a range of self-care practices following the session.
Did you facilitate a wellness initiative at Humber? We want to hear from you!
Email wellness@humber.ca to share how your initiatives support student or employee well-being.
Humber North Campus
205 Humber College Blvd. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M9W 5L7
Humber Lakeshore Campus
2 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M8V 4B6
Humber Downtown
59 Hayden St. Unit 400 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4Y 2P2
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ENVIRONMENTAL SAVINGS
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