Searching for Support Groups

COVID19 All CMHA York Region & South Simcoe locations closed to drop-in service, and all client visits and scheduled programming modified, visit website for information

Virtual options available for client services, call 1-866-345-0183 for details: telephone wellness checks, med drops, injections, BounceBack program

All other services: case manager/support worker will contact client

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Mental health programs, and peer support groups facilitated by trained volunteers

Family Caregiver Education Program
10 week program for families and caregivers caring for a loved one with mental illness, includes information on conditions, treatments and support strategies (available throughout the year at various locations)

Markham Family Support Groups
For individuals, families and caregivers, includes access to professionals and other caregivers to increase knowledge about mental illness, gain skills and practical strategies to assist in loved one's recovery, and to promote self care (no registration or wait list)

Support for Depression
For people experiencing or who have experienced mental illness, including peer support groups, mutual support and coping skills develop, trained peer volunteer facilitators, safe, non-judgmental environment (no registration required)

Client services include information and referral, short term supportive counselling and psychotherapy, case management, and wrap-around mental health supports and services for youth in ethnospecific communities (Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian newcomer youth)

• advocacy
• leadership and life skills training
• supportive housing program
• peer support and self help groups
• support groups for family members
• psychosocial recreation and education activities
• volunteer development

Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for members of Chinese community in York Region who are experiencing depression, anxiety, and anxiety-related conditions; available in Cantonese and Mandarin; free

General community education
Holistic health education, mental health promotion, and consultation and educational services to agencies and professionals on ethnoracial mental health issues

Brief Therapy Service for youth and young adults, see separate listing

Covid19 Email, phone and online only; client referrals accepted

Programs and supports for individuals and families experiencing violence and abuse, including integrated multi-agency intake procedure, and onsite services through partner agencies

• information, referrals, counselling
• job skills training
• children's services
• women and children's support groups
• financial loans and support
• legal and court support, referrals to shelters, safety planning and risk assessment
• moving services in partnership with Shelter Movers (see separate listing)

Calendar of on-site agencies and programs:

Monday: Yellow Brick House legal support, supportive counselling, outreach; When Love Hurts support group; art therapy

Tuesday: Sandgate Women's Shelter housing transition support and individual counselling

Wednesday: Legal Aid Ontario family law; Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Centre supportive counselling, forensic services, risk assessment; Sandgate Women's Shelter parenting support and Let's Talk Child Witness Program

Thursday: Sandgate Women's Shelter housingtransition support; Womens Centre of York Region Financial Empowerment group

Friday: Community Legal Clinic information and support on landlord/tenant issues, social assistance, EI appeals, CPP, criminal compensation, employment standards, and consumer issues; Sandgate Women's Shelter housing transition support; The Housing Help Centre housing assistance and social assistance

Provides training and support services for persons with developmental disabilities to enrich quality of life, wellness, individual/social functioning and community integration

Services

• programs for individuals with developmental disabilities of all ages
• family support and parents group
• community education, outreach, and partnerships
• Zoom programs

Adult Programs

• daily living enrichment program (Mon-Fri day program)
• job venture and vocational training
• group living adaptation program
• personal growth enhancement program (1:1 training)
• Saturday social club

Children's Programs

• Kids Link Social Club
• personal growth enhancement program (1:1 training)
• children's interest/extracurricular classes
• summer/winter/March break holiday camps

Youth Programs

• Youth Connect Social Club
• personal growth enhancement program (1:1 training)
• mentorship program
• youth counselling
• volunteer/vocational training projects
• summer/winter/March break holiday camps

COVID-19 -- accepting new client referrals

• telephone, online and video appointments

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Adult Services

Reintegration Program -- for individuals 18 years and older and families who may have experienced or are at risk of experiencing contact with the law

• case management, brief support including goal planning, accessing employment, job and life skills, housing and food security
• referrals to community resources, client advocacy

Reintegration Program - Women's Support -- for individuals who identify as women and are18 years and older and families who may have experienced or are at risk of experiencing contact with the law

• case management, brief support including goal planning, accessing employment, job and life skills, housing and food security
• referrals to community resources, client advocacy

Record Suspension Support -- for individuals 18 years and older who were convicted of a criminal offence and have completed their sentence

• assists in determination of eligibility and application process to have criminal record kept separate and apart

Partner Assault Response -- 12 week group education and counselling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict

• victims/partners of the offended provided with support including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and information on offender's progress

MAPS Program -- for individuals 18 years and older who are currently on probation who may have experienced or are experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge

• offers one-on-one support with a Peer Support Worker to explore recovery goals and provide connections to community supports and services
• offers support in attending various appointments such as probation, court, counselling sessions

Mindset Anger Management Program -- 8 week anger management program for individuals 18 years and old

Youth Services

Healthy Youth Preventative Education (HYPE) Program -- for youth 11-25

• small group sessions that promote positive healthy relationships and target a wide range of abusive and violent behaviours and addictions among adolescents

Youth Counselling Program -- for youth 11-29

• individualized one-on-one support, weekly sessions for youth to discuss issues affecting their lives such as mental health, substance use, bullying, stress relationship conflict and criminal justice involvement
• counsellor works collaboratively with the youth to enhance their understanding, overcome challenges and meet goals

COVID19 -- Some programs run online, see website for details


Programs for children, youth, and adults with learning disabilities (LDs) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) including parent and adult support groups, tutoring services, advocacy and information and referral

Tutoring

Volunteer tutors from different diverse and educational backgrounds work one-on-one with children in grades 4-8 on:

• supporting students with homework help
• recognizing comfortable learning styles, learning strengths, and study habits which assist children in better learning
• assisting children with numeracy and literacy skills which need further development

Girls Connect

• designed for girls ages 7-18 with a primary diagnosis of LDs and/or ADHD
• participants divided into age appropriate groups addressing the unique needs of girls with LDs and ADHD.

SOAR Transitions Elementary

• for students in grades 7-8 diagnosed with LD and/or ADHD
• assists in developing life skills to succeed academically and vocationally

SOAR Transitions Secondary -- supports students in secondary schools diagnosed with learning disability or ADHD gain practical coping and advocacy skills in one to one and group sessions

Strategies for Life

• one-on one program that focuses on the socio-emotional effects of LDs and Attention Deficit Disorder
• identifies unique challenges the participant may face and assists youth in developing resiliency.

Summer Camp

• day camp for children with a primary diagnosis of Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD
• safe, encouraging and positive environment for learning social skills
• activities include outdoor swimming, nature walks, and arts and crafts

Job Fit Program

• helps adults and/or youth with LD's and/or ADHD explore interests, strengths, and areas of need in order to pursue employment
• covers how to ask for accommodations in the workplace
• ensures clients have a full understanding of their LD's and develops client's confidence to join the workforce

Parent Support Group

• virtual support group to help guide caregivers through different stages of accepting and managing their child's Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD
• monthly opportunity to meet and share common experiences, handle emotions, strategize for strengths and challenges in a positive way

Adult Support Group

• opportunity to network with individuals with LD's and/or ADHD, gain social support, problem solve and share successes.
• learn different strategies to deal with and manage LDs and/or ADHD.

COVID19 -- all locations now open to the public, and services are now available in-person, via telephone, email and other online tools


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Assists newcomers to adapt to life in Canada

Settlement Services

• orientation and cultural transition counselling services
• information and referral
• translation and interpretation
  • on education, immigration, housing, transportation, children's benefit, taxation, employment, health care system, citizenship, senior's benefits, recreation

Language and Skills Training

• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by Achēv -- see separate entry, childminding for eligible attendees, full-time, part-time and evening classes

Community Services

• programs for youth, seniors, and women
• EarlyON parenting program
• recreation activities, workshops and seminars, volunteer training program, and heritage program for children
• seasonal income tax clinic

Emergency shelters and crisis line, call 1-800-263-3247

Emergency shelter, crisis intervention, outreach, counselling and support services

Emergency Shelters
2 shelters, 24 hour crisis line and crisis intervention

Community supports
Non-shelter resident services include counselling and group supports for women and children, parenting programs, legal support program, and transitional housing support, public education and prevention programs, and volunteer opportunities

COVID-19 -- maintain all essential services including supportive housing, assisted living, home care

• transportation for essential visits
• providing hot meals, frozen meals and food hampers to seniors and people needing isolation
• Transitional Care Centre -- regular service, visits (in person for family and caregiver with appointment)
• also available via phone/virtually telephone reassurance, supportive counselling and service coordination
• Family Health Organization, GAIN Community Team
• Adult Day Program -- in person and virtual care
• Diabetes Education Program -- assessment, consultation, group education
• Wellness and Community Development Program -- in person and virtual platform
• Vocational Training Centre -- in person and virtual platform

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Adult Day Program -- Monday-Friday 9:30 am-3 pm, weekday and weekend extended hours

• for persons 55 years and older with special needs such as physical frailty or mild memory impairment, in need of supervised, structured setting
• social and recreation activities, lunch, snack
• personal care and health related services -- exercise, foot care, physiotherapy, massage therapy
• transportation available
• fee

Overnight Stay Program -- respite care (caregiver relief) program for persons with cognitive impairment or dementia and seniors in need of services, stays up to three months, meals, snacks, showering services *

• laundry -- fee
• personal care and health related services provided by personal support workers including medication reminders, personal hygiene, feeding

Chinese Bereavement Services -- culturally specific bereavement services, individual support and self help group

• public education, seminars, workshops
• information and referral

Chronic Disease Self Management Program -- 6 week workshop for adults with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis

• individual counselling with nurse, dietitian and social worker
• health and education workshops, seminars, caregiver education and support
• information and referral
• workshop licensed by Stanford University

Community Outreach -- outreach programs for those living in seniors apartments and suburban areas, retirement groups, seniors self help groups

• community, wellness and health education
• caregiver support, volunteer development

Community support services -- escort to medical appointments, telephone security checks, friendly visiting, hospice visiting, grocery shopping, client intervention and assistance -- free

• congregate dining -- fee, subsidies available
• transportation -- fee
• referrals, follow up

Elder Abuse Prevention Program -- Chinese Elder Abuse Helpline 416-502-2321, elder abuse education, supportive counselling

Home care services -- home help, homemaking, respite care, palliative care -- fee

Personal Care Program -- for seniors living in the community requiring higher level of care

• care coordination
• scheduled and unscheduled personal support workers' visit, security check

Integrated Dialysis Care Program -- Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses visit home peritoneal dialysis patients at their home, health maintenance, nutritional counselling

Wellness and Social Program -- social, recreational and educational programs for persons 50 years and older, drop-in centre, friendship groups, interest classes, outings

Men's health promotion and support for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships, separation and divorce, parenting, social isolation and self-esteem, abuse and trauma, and for situations of crises and distress

• individual, couple and group counselling
• peer support group for boys and men includes emotional support, information and resources
• legal assistance clinic and resource centre -- individual and group settings
• Fathering After Separation or Divorce - 8-week parenting program
• support for male victims of domestic abuse and family violence, including counselling, support groups and referrals
• mindfulness meditation workshops
• Survivors of False Allegations - supports for those who have been falsely accused or wrongfully convicted

Initiative of Canadian Association for Equality

Provides educational workshops, health and community resources, supportive counseling, caregiver support groups, social activities, and information and referral * offers information on aging issues for older adults and care management, as well as tips on how to improve coping skills and strategy

COVID19

• drop-in and group services have resumed
• appointment preferred
• masking is not mandatory but suggested for all visitors
• people who have symptoms of illness are urged to wear masks or access services online

Family Services

• domestic violence prevention and crisis intervention
• men's mental health program
• parenting groups
• family life education - transitional housing support

Seniors Programs

• application for old age benefits and subsidized housing
• social and recreational activities

Children Programs

• summer, March-break and teacher professional activity day programs

Youth Programs

• children and youth recreation
• leadership training
• newcomer adaptation

COVID-19 -- maintain all essential services including supportive housing, assisted living, home care, transportation for essential visits, providing hot meals, frozen meals and food hampers to seniors and people needing isolation

• Transitional Care Centre -- regular service, visits (in person for family and caregiver with appointment)
• also available via phone/virtually telephone reassurance, supportive counselling and service coordination
• Family Health Organization, GAIN Community Team
• Adult Day Program -- in person and virtual care
• Diabetes Education Program -- assessment, consultation, group education
• Wellness and Community Development Program -- in person and virtual platform
• Vocational Training Centre -- in person and virtual platform

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Adult Day Program -- Monday-Friday 9:30 am-3:30 pm, weekday extended hours, Saturday 10 am-3 pm, available in Scarborough and Richmond Hill

• for persons 55 years and older with special needs, such as physical frailty or mild memory impairment, in need of supervised, structured setting
• social and recreation activities, lunch, snack
• personal care and health related services -- exercise, foot care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy
• transportation available

Chinese Bereavement Services -- culturally specific bereavement services, individual support and self help group

• public education, seminars, workshops, information and referral

Chronic Disease Self Management Program -- 6 week workshop for adults with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis

• individual counselling with nurse, dietitian and social worker
• health and education workshops, seminars
• caregiver education and support
• information and referral
• workshop licensed by Self-Management Resource Centre

Community Outreach -- outreach programs for those living in seniors apartments and suburban areas, retirement groups,seniors self help groups

• community, wellness and health education
• caregiver support, volunteer development

Community support services -- escort to medical appointments, telephone security checks, friendly visiting, hospice visiting, grocery shopping, client intervention and assistance -- free

• congregate dining -- fee, subsidies available
• transportation -- fee
• referrals, follow up

Elder Abuse Prevention Program -- Chinese Elder Abuse Helpline 416-502-2321, elder abuse education, supportive counselling

Geriatric Assessment & Intervention Network (GAIN) Community Team -- wrap around supported care and services with individualized comprehensive geriatric assessment

• intensive case management, personalized care plan
• service navigation

Home care services -- home help, homemaking, respite care, palliative care -- fee

Personal Care Program -- for seniors living in the community requiring higher level of care, care coordination, scheduled and unscheduled personal support workers' visit, security check

Transitional Care Respite Stay Program -- short stay transitional care for individuals recuperating from illness/hospitalization and respite (caregiver relief) -- fee

Integrated Dialysis Care Program -- Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses visit home peritoneal dialysis patients at their home

• health maintenance, nutritional counselling

Supportive housing services -- for seniors requiring higher level of care, 24 hour on site services at Alexandra Park Apartments and Tam O'Shanter Towers, emergency response services

Wellness and Social Program -- social, recreational and educational programs for persons 50 years and older, drop-in centre, friendship groups, interest classes, outings

Drop in group that provides support, education and resources for adults impacted by a death of a loved one

Provides support to individuals, helping them cope with their emotions related to the death of a loved one * trained volunteers facilitate this 8 week series of sessions for affected individuals to discuss their pain and loss * series offered 3 times a year, usually in the evening

Support groups for men and women experiencing cancer * 8 weeks support group for women and 6 weeks support group for men offered several times per year * help with the emotional and physical impact of having cancer, coping with expectations, intimacy and relationships and other practical concerns

Peer support groups, education, and training for family members, service providers, and caregivers * sessions may include information such as advanced directives and safety

Support group for families of individuals with a dual diagnosis (intellectual disability and mental health needs) * group meets on a regular basis to share information and provide peer support * issues related to systemic advocacy are also discussed and parents have the opportunity to bring forth issues that they would like addressed at a municipal/provincial or federal level * support meetings are held monthly.

COVID19 Physical sites are closed, all services remain open to both new and existing clients and can be accessed remotely by phone or videoconferencing

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Child and family early intervention centre
Healthy child development promotion, and intervention and treatment services

• autism behaviour services including system navigation, education and support, early intervention and Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA)
• licensed child care staff support

Day Treatment Services
Section 23 Program for children 4-7 years, includes therapeutic specialized educational classroom

• assessment
• diagnosis
• treatment
• parent education and counselling

Family Support Services
Support to children birth-7 years with complex needs, and their families, including brief consultation, treatment groups for children, parenting groups, counselling, and intensive in-home intervention

EarlyON Child and Family Centre (Willowdale)
Early identification, prevention and integration services for children birth-6 years (also prenatal), who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing barriers to healthy development, and their parents and caregivers

• builds parenting capacity
• healthy development of social, emotional, and communication skills
• early learning and literacy programs
• parent education and skills development
• community information, referrals and outreach

Early abilities speech and language assessments and treatment, intake through Toronto Public Health (see separate listing)

Peer support groups, education, and training for family members, service providers, and caregivers * sessions may include information such as advanced directives and safety issues

Client services include information and referral, short term supportive counselling and psychotherapy, case management, and supportive housing program (see Eligibility)

• wrap-around mental health supports and services for youth in ethnospecific communities, including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian newcomer youth
• advocacy, leadership and life skills training
• psychosocial recreation and education activities
• peer support and self help groups
• support groups for family members
• volunteer opportunities

General community education
Holistic health education, mental health promotion, and consultation and educational services to agencies and professionals on ethnospecific mental health issues

Individual support, training and education sessions for caregivers on topics such as caregiving management, advanced directives, safety, palliative care, elder abuse, mental health and addictions, dementia, chronic illness and bereavement

One-on-one counselling and care management which may include service advocacy, linkages with community resources and identification of needs for caregivers

Monthly support groups for caregivers in English, Cantonese and Mandarin

Support services for caregivers such as personal care, homemaking, respite services, transportation, Meals-on-Wheels, friendly visiting and adult day programs

Free virtual programs offered

The Cancer Support Group meeting is held monthly and is facilitated by health care professionals to provide information, education and resources * participants engage in sharing experiences and mutual support.

Community centre for older adults

• information and referrals
• care management
• counseling
• wellness clinic
• GAIN (Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network) community team
• housing for older adults
• homemaking services
• personal care services
• adult day programs: Greek Day Program, English Day Program, Chinese Day Program, Sunflower Club (Dementia Day Program)
• support groups
• recreational activities
• Meals on Wheels
• fitness classes
• transportation services
• friendly visiting service
• addictions supportive program

Services and Programs:

• Addictions Supportive Housing (ASH)
• Adult Day Program
• Cancer Support Group
• Care Management
• Caregiver Support
• Chinese Adult Day Program
• Dementia Adult Day Program
• Friendly Visiting Services
• Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network (GAIN) Clinic
• Greek Adult Day Program
• Health Promotion Program
• Home Making
• Meals on Wheels
• Personal Care
• Recreation
• Social and Congregate Dining
• St Paul's L'Amoreaux Centre - Assisted Living Services
• Transportation Services
• Volunteer Services
• Wishing Well Manor - Assisted Living Services

Settlement services

• information and referral -- ID (including health cards and Permanent Resident Cards), legal, housing
• NAMF ESL program
• family counselling
• health and welfare programs -- parenting support group, seniors group, cancer support group
• academic and employment counselling -- skills development, networking, assistance with resumes

Halal Food Bank -- by appointment only, open to all in need, identification and proof of income required

• Monday-Friday 12 noon-4 pm

Also runs

• NAMF Day Care Service for children 1.5-4 years
• NAMF Academy, kindergarten-grade 8
• gender specific evening and weekend fitness activities
• summer camp
• hall rental
• Friday prayer services