Streetworks began in 1989 as Needleworks, after 8 city agencies, including AADAC, Edmonton Police Service and the Medical Officer of Health, gathered to address the issue of HIV amongst injection drug users and sex trade workers. Concern for the broader community was another major motivating factor. Over the years, outreach staff noticed a number of health concerns affecting the target population, and in 1995, nurses were brought on to the team. The program also changed its name from Needleworks to Streetworks. It became obvious that this population needed a very broad, comprehensive range of services. Streetworks is based on important philosophies like Harm Reduction, Health Promotion, and Primary Health Care. Building strengths, outreach, relationship-based work, decreasing barriers and advocacy are paramount in meeting the goals of the program.