Sonia Martins
Sonia Martins is a Calgary-based health researcher and community leader advancing equity-focused mental health and housing solutions. With over five years of experience in community outreach and systems-level evaluation, her work centers on Indigenous engagement, trauma-informed practice, and culturally responsive program design. She is the founder of Digital Doorways, an initiative expanding access to virtual mental health services for individuals experiencing housing instability. Her research on integrating virtual mental health within Housing First programs, published in Discover Health Systems, reflects her commitment to practical, community-led innovation to address homelessness. Sonia holds a Master of Health Studies from Athabasca University and works to bridge research, policy, and frontline impact.
Digital Doorways
Digital Doorways is a pilot initiative designed to strengthen access to virtual mental health services for individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly those who face ongoing barriers despite the availability of digital care spaces. The project focuses on improving usability, confidence, and continuity rather than introducing new clinical services.
À propos de ce projet
Communautés servies
Voici les objectifs de développement durable associés à mon projet
Les objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU
Il est possible de catégoriser les projets à impact communautaire selon les objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU. These are the Sustainable Development Goals associated with my project.
Le fonctionnement du projet
From February to July, Digital Doorways will install private, Wi-Fi-enabled tablet stations within partner sites, develop a trauma-informed training curriculum, deliver two staff training sessions, and pilot access to virtual mental health services. The project includes outreach, monitoring, data collection, and a community feedback session.
Résumé de l'impact
Digital Doorways reduces structural barriers to mental health care for individuals experiencing housing instability by creating safe, private access points for virtual counselling. The project strengthens service integration within Housing First environments, increases digital inclusion, and supports earlier intervention, improving well-being, service engagement, and system responsiveness.
Résumé de la mission
Digital Doorways aims to expand equitable access to virtual mental health services for people experiencing homelessness. Its goals are to increase digital access within housing programs, build staff capacity through training, and pilot a sustainable, trauma-informed model that can be replicated across community-based settings.
Équipe du projet
Interdisciplinary team spanning leadership, digital support, partnerships, evaluation, and technical expertise.
Faire un don à Faites Germer Vos Idées pour soutenir les Fellows
Soutenez de jeunes innovateurs sociaux en faisant un don au Sprout Ideas Fellowship Fund, permettant le développement de compétences et fournissant les ressources nécessaires afin de lancer des projets moteurs de progrès sociaux.
Faire un Don Maintenant