Searching for LGBTQ+

COVID-19 (6 Sept 2021) continues to provide the following supports to our vulnerable, isolated community members living in the former cities of Kanata and Nepean and the former townships of Goulbourn and West Carleton:

• telephone based crisis intervention
• telephone based crisis counseling
• telephone based counseling for women experiencing gender based violence
• telephone based regular check-ins
• telephone support with navigating systems
• food/supplies deliveries
• medically necessary transportation
• virtual programming and services
• online resources

Visit the Facebook page for details on all other programs and services.

Community and social services

Services for Children, Youth and Families

• Ontario Early Years Centre
• Bullying Prevention Program
• The ZONE drop-in for youth
• Queerios Youth Drop-In
• child and youth community development
• homework club
• resources
• Fun Friends programs
• Toys on Tour program

Community Support Programs for Seniors and Adults with Physical Disabilities

• Adult Day Program
• Diners' Club
• caregiver support
• Home Help and Home Maintenance Program
• Telephone Reassurance Program
• Meals on Wheels/Frozen meals
• friendly visiting
• transportation to medical and non-medical appointments
• foot care clinics
• social programs
• Snow Go Assist

Violence Against Women Program

• individual and group counselling for abused women and their children
• Peer Support Program (volunteers supporting abused women)
• Child Witness Program
• Transitional Housing Support Program
• Chrysalis House, a shelter for abused women (24-hour crisis line 613-591-5901)

Counselling Services

• short-term counselling
• crisis counselling
• information and referral services
• confidential counselling and referral services to the LGBTQ+ community

Support groups

Confidential, comfortable and open atmosphere where families, friends, spouses, and people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans (GLBT) can:

• share their feelings and experiences
• share knowledge
• reach out
• search and discover more about the human condition.

Presentations for groups wishing to gain a better understanding and awareness of LGBTQI2S identities and issues

COVID-19 (August 15, 2022): The three food banks supported by PQCHC continue to run on modified schedule and program. Services are accessed by appointment only and available to those people living in the catchments assigned to each location: Pinecrest Terrace Community House 613-596-6703, Morrison Gardens Community 613-596-6229 and Foster Farms Community House 613-596-4866. The Health Clinic operates on appointments only. For more details and up-to-date information, see website.

Health centre focused on family and community health

Primary Health Care:

• medical clinic staffed by family physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses / community clinics
• nutrition: individual and group support provided by registered dietitians
• clean needle exchange / safe inhalation
• diabetes education
• falls prevention program
• primary care outreach for seniors
• dental screening
• nursing foot care
• lung health program

Community Health:

• community development: advocacy, education and supports to community residents to increase involvement in the community
• multicultural outreach: assistance to newcomers to facilitate integration into existing services
• health promotion: focusing on enabling people to increase control of their health and address determinants of health
• community house coordination: develop and facilitate programs and outreach to five low-income housing communities, support to planning and community initiatives
• safety and trust: support to community leaders and training to support the development of healthy communities and address issues of concern
• youth programming: homework clubs, United Sisters program for girls 10-14, training, workshops and events for youth, Somali Youth leadership and skills development
• pathways to education: support to high school students from low-income communities to help complete high school and move on to post-secondary education: tutoring, mentoring, financial and advocacy support

PQ Employment Services:

• PQ Employment Services: bring the right people together with the resources they need to find success
• Canada Ontario Job Grant program: provides financial support to individual employers who want to purchase training for their employees

Employment Programs:

• Youth LEAD Employment Program: assists permanent resident and refugee youth between the ages of 15-29 to develop skills and experience working in Canada
• Job Track: 15 week program that provides pre-apprenticeship training in the Child Development Practitioner trade through paid placements in child care settings
• Future Builders: 15 week program that provides pre-apprenticeship training and work experience to youth with barriers to employment (aged 16-29 years) in residential construction trades (i.e. general carpentry)

Children and Family Services:

• Headstart Nursery School: subsidized preschool program
• Early ON Child and Family Centre: universal access, information and referrals, bilingual designation
• Leaping Lizards: after-school programming
• Toy Lending Libraries: educational and recreational toys
• Circle of Support: parenting support for vulnerable families - home visiting
• Pre-Post Natal Programs: focus on infant care, parent education, nutrition program for high risk pregnant women
• School's Cool: school readiness program

Specialized Preschool Programs:

• First Words: screening clinics and treatment for children with speech language developmental delays
• Infant Hearing: screening of all newborns born deaf or at risk of deafness
• Blind/Low Vision: intervention and consultation services for families with infants diagnosed as blind or low-vision

Mental Health:

• Assertive Community Treatment Team: support and treatment to those with severe persistent illness
• Families First: housing assistance
• System Navigation: increase client self-efficacy and autonomy

COVID-19 (24 Mar 2020): Due to COVID19, this program is on hold until further notice. Clients who are breastfeeding and in need of support are asked to leave a message at 613-820-4922 ext 3604 and a Lactation Consultant will call back. Lactation consultant hours are Tue-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 am.

Drop-in programs for mothers, fathers, caregivers and their children

• parent-child activities
• information on parenting and sharing of ideas and concerns
• information and referral
• links to programs in the community
• resource / toy library (at some locations)
• information on child development

Specialized drop-ins at main location:

• pre- and post-natal, breastfeeding support drop-in: Tue 1 pm-3 pm (English/French)
• Infant / non-walker drop-in: Wed 1:30 pm-3:30 pm (English/French)
• Parenting in Ottawa/Breastfeeding support drop-in: Fri 9:30 am-11 am

Off-site drop-in locations:

• Foster Farm Community Center, 1065 Ramsey Cr, Ottawa K2B 7Z9
• Bethany Baptist Church, 380 Centrepointe Dr, Ottawa K2C 1H3
• Bayshore site, 210 Woodridge Cr, Ottawa K2B 8G1
• Chapters Story Time, 2735 Iris St, Ottawa, K2C 3Z7
• Bells Corners - Westcliffe, 681 Seyton Drive, Ottawa, K2H 1A4

For schedule of drop-ins, http://www.pqchc.com/children-family-services/drop-ins/ (click drop-in calendar).

Mother, father and caregiver workshops: Various topics for example:

• parenting
• education

Community-based program, which provides a full range of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two spirit, queer and questioning (2SLGBTQI+) education, programs, support services and counselling

• supports the inclusion of equity and diversity in childcare, preschools, schools, recreational facilities, community health and resource centres
• workshops on gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and human rights are adjusted according to the needs of the organization
• parent and caregiver support group for parents with transgender, two spirit and gender diverse children, youth and adults (hosted in partnership with CHEO)
• TRANSCEND Drop-in arts-based trans youth group for trans, gender diverse and non-binary youth ages 11-17
• Rainbow Families Art & Play social group for 2SLGBTQI+ families with young children and families with young gender diverse children

Coalition advocating for a ban on conversion therapy

• promote awareness around conversion practices in Canada
• advocate for development of legislation against conversion therapy
• researches effects and potential support systems for survivors

Support groups

Confidential, comfortable and open atmosphere where families, friends, spouses, and people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans (GLBT) can:

• share their feelings and experiences
• share knowledge
• reach out
• search and discover more about the human condition.

Presentations for groups wishing to gain a better understanding and awareness of LGBTQI2S identities and issues

Adult day program

• morning snack and full three-course hot meal prepared on site
• chair fitness
• group brain stimulating games
• scheduled daily individual activities and many opportunities for social interaction
• live musical entertainment and games
• non-denominational chapel services
• telephone-based programs running simultaneously 5 days per week

Promotes diversity in gender identity, gender expression, and romantic and/or sexual orientation through services via:

• education
• advocacy
• workshops and presentations
• professional development
• scholarships

COVID-19 (January 26, 2021): To chat with a coordinator, email gsrc@cusaonline.ca to organize a meeting over Zoom. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the services will be provided virtually until further notice.

Safe(r) space for Carleton students wishing to connect with queer and transgender community

Services include:

• peer support
• social and educational events
• referrals to community resources
• gender affirming resources
• safe(r) sex supplies
• queer library (100+ books)

Programs for children and youth from Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and/or Queer (2SLGBTQ+) identities, families and communities

Camp Ten Oaks: week-long, sleep away summer camp for children and youth 8-17 years old from 2SLGBTQ+ identities, families and communities * two, one week-long sessions run annually with one outside of Kingston, ON and the other outside of London, ON

Camp Lifting Leaves: A weekend sleep away camp for children and youth (aged 12-21) involved with Children's Aid Societies or Indigenous Well Being Agencies, from 2SLGBTQ+ identities, families, and communities

Families in TRANSition: A 10-week program for families of newly out trans and gender diverse young people. Caregivers and youth meet separately to learn how to navigate systems and build community with one another.

Shaping Parenthood: A 2SLGBTQ+ Ottawa Parenting Series: An ongoing series of workshops aiming to empower 2SLGBTQ+ communities in their family planning, providing them with knowledge of systems, practices, and resources available to make a family their way.

COVID-19 (August 2, 2022): Most primary care appointments will be done in person, with some options for telephone or video visits. Call to make an appointment.

Health centre focused on family and community health

• general practice by appointment
• medical same day appointments for registered clients only
• obstetrics for low-risk pregnancies
• prenatal and postnatal support
• nutrition counselling
• harm reduction services
• options counselling for unplanned pregnancies
• referrals to specialists for registered clients only
• chiropody
• community-based diabetes education
• health education and support on issues like stress reduction, healthy weight, smoking cessation
• health education and support programs and services for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and questioning community members

Homeless Initiative

• assistance to obtain a health card, ID and other practical supports
• anonymous human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and counselling
• needle exchange program
• social services support, including showers
• nursing outreach

Single session, solution-oriented therapy with a trained professional from the LGBT2SQ+ community

• duration of the session is between 75 to 90 minutes
• clients in distress who feel that they need more assistance may return to the clinic for another session or can be referred for ongoing counseling

Offers counselling in :

• mental and emotional health issues
• addiction
• anxiety
• depression
• personal or work-related stress
• crisis situations
• trauma
• grief and loss
• separation and divorce
• anger
• sexual abuse (both men and women)
• family conflicts
• relationship issues
• parenting
• violence

Health and wellness organization for guys who are into guys * raises awareness, provides prevention and education materials, connects GBTQ2 guys to information and resources


Services include:

Mental health navigation: referrals to mental health professionals either part of or with demonstrated experience working with LGBTQ2+ community

Peer to Peer Programs: emotional support from trained volunteers about what's going on in your life * one-time conversation or more formal mentorship process exploring values, barriers, strengths and motivation

Harm Reduction Services: free and discreet access to harm reduction supplies either in person or delivered * schedule available on website

Group and Community Support: variety of peer discussion groups and Community MAXimizer programs * schedule available on website

Queerspora: project to provide resources and training which aims to mobilize the sexual health knowledge and skills for GBTQ+ newcomers

HIV Testing: home HIV testing kits (partnership with GetAKit.ca) * help navigating going on PrEP or PEP (EquipYourself.ca) * other STBBI testing (partnership with GayZone)

Further list of resources available on the website * training offered for service providers

Health program offering:

• hormone initiation
• surgical referrals and assessments
• counselling
• health system navigation

COVID-19 (January 25, 2021): Counselling services have been moved to telephone sessions. Counselors will be in touch with clients that have existing appointments regarding this change. To book a new telephone counselling session, call 613-233-4443 ext 2109.

Mental health and addictions programs include

• counselling services
• Counselling Connect
• LESA addictions treatment for older adults (refer to related record)
• harm reductions supplies (refer to related record)
• overcoming anxiety and depression group
• Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART)
• LGBT2SQ+ Wednesdays counselling service

Social service for the health and wellness of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, two spirits (transsexual, transgender, genderqueer), two-spirit and questioning ( 2SLGBTQ+) people in the Ottawa/Outaouais region.


Identifying and addressing the needs of these groups:

• community development
• the provision of online, referral and library resources
• advocacy for safer sex practices, sex positive dialogue, an understanding of 2SLGBTQ+ issues in the heterosexual and cisgendered (non-trans) community
• the delivery of respectful and inclusive services and programs provided in a safe environment that affirms equality and is free of discrimination

Educational services:

• information resources
• referral services
• educational workshops and seminars
• training programs for health and social service professionals
• speakers' bureau
• library of 2SLGBTQ+ -related materials (including books, magazines, audio-visual resources, and historical documents)
• variety of discussion and support groups
• outreach and educational services to the communities-at-large

Financial support for individuals identifying as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (2SLGBTQ+)

• may vary according to resources available
• currently, Kind Space is able to offer ten $100 VISA gift cards per month
• takes up to fourteen days for the card to be issued
• arrangements must be made for the card to be picked up or mailed to the recipient
• donations are welcome

Group that gives transgender persons the opportunity to explore their gender identity in a variety of social settings

• facilitates development of gender identity, appearance and mannerisms through the experience of other club members and organized activities
• provides peer support through a diverse membership
• educates the general public about transgender issues
• monthly socials with pot luck dinners and presentations
• resource list of transgender friendly professionals and businesses

Organization that creates and connects individuals and communities to inclusive spaces (for prayers, discussion, and reflection) around the world, where everyone, of every gender, orientation and/or faith is welcome

• holds mixed congregational prayers led by any gender, Meccan style
• supports the institution of marriage, including interfaith marriages and same sex unions, and locates inclusive Muslim officiators for nikkahs
• global justice advocacy
• advocacy for the Muslim, Feminist, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI) communities
• Gender Jihad program: leads and supports the entitlement of women to self-determination
• interfaith and intra-faith gatherings
• various social events

Supports and sponsors LGBTQI+ refugees through volunteer-led sponsor groups, advocacy, community building and outreach

• helps LGBTQI+ refugees and newcomers arrive and thrive in Eastern Ontario
• offers direct navigation support to LGBTQI+ newcomers, regardless of status
• trains, supports and mentors groups to privately sponsor LGBTQI+ refugees
• raises awareness and builds capacity with local partners to effectively serve and support LGBTQI+ newcomers
• hosts special events

Facilitates communication and increases understanding between the Ottawa Police Service and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-identified communities

• increases the overall feelings of safety of these communities, the levels of transparency, trust and confidence between these communities and the police, and the level of awareness in the community of the services and programs offered by the Ottawa Police Service
• offers advocacy

Free access to a same-day or next-day phone or video counselling session concerning:

• sleep issues
• anxiety and depression
• bullying
• behavioural issues
• separation
• relationships
• grief and loss
• drugs and alcohol
• gender and sexuality
• adjusting to life in Canada
• problem gambling
• isolation and loneliness

Services include:

• Adult Mental Health Brief Counselling Intervention
• Adult Addiction Brief Counselling Intervention
• Youth and Young Adult Mental Health Brief Counselling Intervention
• Children & Families Brief Counselling Intervention
• Youth and Young Adult Addiction Brief Counselling Intervention
• Indigenous Counselling Service

Peer to peer community youth group

• workshops, discussion groups, art collaborations, counselling services, peer mentoring, and primary care resources
• access to a snack, showers, laundry, harm reduction supplies, telephone, Internet
• crisis counsellors available