Searching for Credit Counselling
Located near Niagara Falls
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A non-profit charitable organization offering confidential credit counselling at low or no cost.
Services include:
- Assessment of income and expenses
- Money management advice
- Credit Counselling
- Budgeting assistance
- Debt management program
- Advocacy
- Public education, in-house or out in the community
A non-profit charitable organization offering confidential credit counselling at low or no cost.
Services include:
- Assessment of income and expenses
- Money management advice
- Credit Counselling
- Budgeting assistance
- Debt management program
- Advocacy
- Public education, in-house or out in the community
Visit Website
Life skills training includes Savoury Samplings Program & Community Gardens.
Back to School Snacks & Sneakers program in late August (backpacks and school supplies while supplies last)
Shelter issues are addressed through the Housing Help Program. Trusteeships are provided to those experiencing money management issues. Assistance with replacing ID for registered clients is available through the housing program.
Administers the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program for St Catharines residents. Jumpstart provides financially disadvantaged children, aged 4-18 years, with the opportunity to participate in sports and recreational activities. Call 905-685-1349 ext 228 for more information.
Helps with:
- assistance and information to help solve housing problems
- people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless to find and maintain permanent accommodation within the local community
- landlords to find tenants and helps to resolve conflicts between landlords and tenants
- basic information on the Residential Tenancies Act
- money management - trusteeship service (including youth 16-24)
- regional identification clinic
A non-profit charitable organization offering confidential credit counselling at low or no cost.
Services include:
- Assessment of income and expenses
- Money management advice
- Credit Counselling
- Budgeting assistance
- Debt management program
- Advocacy
- Public education, in-house or out in the community
A one-stop-shop for youth seeking services related to mental health, substance use, primary care, education, employment, housing and other community and social services.
Services include:
Mental Health Counselling: Speak with a certified mental health counsellor about any mental health concerns.
Substance Use Counselling: A certified counsellor can help youth with reducing or eliminating substance use, setting, and achieving goals, improving relationships and learning life skills. Can also help with mental health concerns.
Peer Counselling and Support: Speak with a peer about any issues one might be experiencing related to mental health, substance use, employment, housing, or other areas of one's life.
Nurse Practitioner: Receive free health care services, referrals and/or discuss current health issues including sexual health, birth control, vaccinations, mental health etc.
Employment Help: Assistance from an employment counsellor with searching for jobs, preparing for work and/or building a resumé.
Mental Health Caseworker: Receive help with finding housing, preparing for employment/volunteering/education opportunities, filling out forms, managing money, setting, and achieving goals, developing a safety plan, accessing services in the community, etc.
Youth Navigator: Offers peer support and help with connecting to appropriate services in the hub or the community.
Wellness Activities: Presentations and/or discussion groups on various health and wellness topics. Examples of topics include harm reduction, safer sex and STI prevention, mindfulness, goal setting, etc. Indigenous cultural activities open to all youth, such as drumming, beading, ribbon skirt making, etc. Wellness drop-in activities such as fitness classes, arts and craft workshops, ping pong club, movie nights, video game nights etc.
Utility Assistance: Provides intake for the Niagara Emergency Energy Fund (NEEF) and the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) for emergency financial assistance for low income households facing disconnection (gas or hydro). Also provides intake for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) to lower electricity bills for low-income households.
Clothing: St Vincent de Paul clothing vouchers
Koats for Kids: provides donated winter apparel to children and adults. Call the centre for details - 905-788-0744 ext 221
Trusteeship: assists clients in effective budgeting * ensuring rent and bills are paid directly to the landlord and service providers to prevent evictions/disconnections
Dental: Brushed Aside partner agency - Limited assistance available for the treatment of pain/infection or dentures provided through a partnership with the United Way and other local agencies.
Our Sight Program: assists clients with obtaining prescription eyeglasses
Homelessness Prevention Coordinator: provide housing information, assistance with goal setting, advocacy and emotional support
Kacey Lynn Fund: financial assistance to eligible families with children encountering health and dental expenses beyond their income and/or health benefits
A one-stop-shop for youth seeking services related to mental health, substance use, primary care, education, employment, housing and other community and social services.
Services include:
Mental Health Counselling: Speak with a certified mental health counsellor about any mental health concerns.
Substance Use Counselling: A certified counsellor can help youth with reducing or eliminating substance use, setting, and achieving goals, improving relationships and learning life skills. Can also help with mental health concerns.
Peer Counselling and Support: Speak with a peer about any issues one might be experiencing related to mental health, substance use, employment, housing, or other areas of one's life.
Nurse Practitioner: Receive free health care services, referrals and/or discuss current health issues including sexual health, birth control, vaccinations, mental health etc.
Employment Help: Assistance from an employment counsellor with searching for jobs, preparing for work and/or building a resumé.
Mental Health Caseworker: Receive help with finding housing, preparing for employment/volunteering/education opportunities, filling out forms, managing money, setting, and achieving goals, developing a safety plan, accessing services in the community, etc.
Youth Navigator: Offers peer support and help with connecting to appropriate services in the hub or the community.
Wellness Activities: Presentations and/or discussion groups on various health and wellness topics. Examples of topics include harm reduction, safer sex and STI prevention, mindfulness, goal setting, etc. Indigenous cultural activities open to all youth, such as drumming, beading, ribbon skirt making, etc. Wellness drop-in activities such as fitness classes, arts and craft workshops, ping pong club, movie nights, video game nights etc.
Snack Attack: Offers families with school-aged children better snack choices throughout the week. Snacks are obtained through donations and additional items are purchased.
Shelter/Utility Stability: Provide counsel, mediation and periodic short term financial aid to keep Lincoln residents in their current housing with utilities functioning.
Safe at Home: Provides home furnishings for those in and out of transitional housing and to families in need.
Food Bank: Available once per month for perishable and non-perishable grocery pickup, and once per week for perishable items such as fresh produce, bread and any items we may have an excess of.
Housing: Provides support in completion of Niagara Regional Housing applications. Assesses the need for and makes referrals to partners and emergency shelters.
Utility Assistance: Provides intake for the Niagara Emergency Energy Fund (NEEF) for emergency financial assistance for low income households facing disconnection (gas or hydro). Also provides intake for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) to lower electricity bills for low-income households.
Dental Assistance: Brushed Aside partner agency. Provide access to dental care for adults in need of dental treatment for pain/infection or dentures.
Identification Clinic: In partnership with Community Care St Catharines, assists clients with replacing birth certificates, citizenship cards, records of landing, marriage certificates, health cards, and delayed statements of birth. Clients can also access safe storage of identifications.
Trusteeship: In partnership with Community Care St Catharines, provides money management and direct distribution of funds to eligible clients.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart: Provides financially disadvantaged children, aged 4-18 years, with the opportunity to participate in sports and recreational activities.
Back to School Program: Provides a backpack filled with school supplies to children and youth from low-income families. Works in partnership with the Jumpstart Sneaker Program in providing a new pair of sneakers. Clients can call the main number or email clientservices@communitycarewn.ca to register.
Birthday Program: Registered clients can select gifts for their children's birthdays.
CCWN gratefully accepts donations of fresh perishable and nonperishable food items. Please drop off donations at receiving area (rear of building) Mon-Fri 9 am-4 pm.
Food Bank: Available once per month for perishable and non-perishable grocery pickup, and once per week for perishable items such as fresh produce, bread and any items we may have an excess of.
Housing: Provides support in completion of Niagara Regional Housing applications. Assesses the need for and makes referrals to partners and emergency shelters.
Utility Assistance: Provides intake for the Niagara Emergency Energy Fund (NEEF) for emergency financial assistance for low income households facing disconnection (gas or hydro). Also provides intake for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) to lower electricity bills for low-income households.
Dental Assistance: Brushed Aside partner agency. Provide access to dental care for adults in need of dental treatment for pain/infection or dentures.
Identification Clinic: In partnership with Community Care St Catharines, assists clients with replacing birth certificates, citizenship cards, records of landing, marriage certificates, health cards, and delayed statements of birth. Clients can also access safe storage of identifications.
Trusteeship: In partnership with Community Care St Catharines, provides money management and direct distribution of funds to eligible clients.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart: Provides financially disadvantaged children, aged 4-18 years, with the opportunity to participate in sports and recreational activities.
Back to School Program: Provides a backpack filled with school supplies to children and youth from low-income families. Works in partnership with the Jumpstart Sneaker Program in providing a new pair of sneakers. Clients can call the main number or email clientservices@communitycarewn.ca to register.
Birthday Program: Registered clients can select gifts for their children's birthdays.
CCWN gratefully accepts donations of fresh perishable and nonperishable food items. Please drop off donations at receiving area (rear of building) Mon-Fri 9 am-4 pm.
Financial Partnership Program - a voluntary money management program available to individuals and families receiving Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program income
Other programs offered:
- Christmas hamper program
- anger management program
- conversation circle
- income tax clinic
Visit Website
Community Family Services include:
- social services
- emergency food assistance
- Pathway of Hope
- spiritual counselling
- summer camp assistance
- budget counselling
- individual assistance on a case-by-case basis
- volunteer services
- referrals to all other Salvation Army institutions
- Christmas assistance program for families in need of support during Christmas
Food Bank
* see here for more details
Household Goods and Clothing
* when made aware of individual needs for clothing and household goods, OPNC post's those specific needs on Facebook page
* if you have items that you would like to donate, please contact in advance (do not drop off unless need is confirmed)
* annual winter coat drive
Finding Hope in Poverty Support Group
* free counselling and peer to peer support group
* Wed 10 am-11:30 am
* contact hope@opnc.ca
Year Round Income Tax Clinics
* see here for more details
* contact support@opnc.ca
* or visit haltontax.ca
Micro Finance Loans
* can assist with low interest loans for those who would not otherwise qualify (Subject to approval)
* contact support@opnc.ca for appointments
Canada Learning Bond
* Free Government Money for your child's education
* visit smartsaver.org for more details
Utility Bill Payment Assistance
* for more information see, Gas & Hydro Bill Assistance - Oakville
Financial Management Support
* budgeting, information and referral for support
* Wed & Thu 11:30 am-2:30 pm
Assistive Devices
* small inventory of items to give those in need
* ability to provide funding to purchase items
* contact hello@opnc.ca
Services include:
- building budgets based on income and expenses
- negotiating with creditors to stop interest on debts
Services include:
- personal money management counselling by appointment
- mediation between debtor and creditor
- consumer debt repayment programs
- consumer credit education
- speakers available to employers, schools and community groups
- counsellors hold the professional designation of Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada (AFCC)
* Walk-In Credit Counselling drop-in support for immediate financial solutions, solution-focused financial counselling, works on a first come first served basis. Each session lasts approximately 45 min.
* Debt Reduction Debt Management Plan is a voluntary program designed to help you retire your debt. This plan involves small monthly payments to our credit counselling agency which we send directly to your creditors.
* Financial Education Works with community organizations, schools, colleges, and employers to provide education to their clients, students, and employees through presentations, workshops, and lunch and learns. To book a credit counsellor to speak with your group call 905-527-3823 x279
* Financial Coaching One-on-one financial planning and advice with a personal financial coach
Stores and maintains credit information about individual Canadian consumers for use by members of the credit reporting agency
* provides credit reports to individuals upon request
* provides information about fraud prevention and assistance
Consumer Website: ocs.transunion.ca provides access to Consumer Disclosure Report, the option to add/modify a Potential Fraud Alert, and open up an Online Dispute
* also provides educational resources and tools to help gain a clear understanding of credit history and the impact of financial behaviour, and guard against identity theft and financial fraud
Credit Report: individuals may obtain their Consumer Disclosure Report (complete account of all the information on your credit report) free of charge online, by mail, in person or by phone
Credit Dispute: individuals who do not recognize information on their credit report, or believe an item may be inaccurate, may request a free investigation
* credit information may be disputed, or personal information updated, online, by phone or by mail (see website for form)
- Debt repayment
- Debt problems
- Money management
- Debt settlement
- Dealing with creditors
- Bankruptcy
- housing counselling
- information and referral
- matches tenants with landlords, eviction prevention, landlord outreach and recruitment, housing listings
Rent Bank access centre -- interest-free repayable loans to low-income households who are in rental arrears or need to move into more suitable housing
- must have legal status in Canada and meet income requirements
- clients of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program may be eligible
- landlord and tenant mediation
- money management advice
- follow-up search assistance and community referrals
- also interest-free loans for first and last month's rent deposit to move into more affordable housing
- also for LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program), sponsored by Toronto Hydro Electric System and United Way Toronto -- assistance to low income individuals and families who are in arrears for their electricity utility bills and have exhausted all other sources of financial support
- for help with Enbridge gas bills call 1-855-487-5327
Food Bank
* see here for more details
Household Goods and Clothing
* when made aware of individual needs for clothing and household goods, OPNC post's those specific needs on Facebook page
* if you have items that you would like to donate, please contact in advance (do not drop off unless need is confirmed)
* annual winter coat drive
Finding Hope in Poverty Support Group
* free counselling and peer to peer support group
* Wed 10 am-11:30 am
* contact hope@opnc.ca
Year Round Income Tax Clinics
* see here for more details
* contact support@opnc.ca
* or visit haltontax.ca
Micro Finance Loans
* can assist with low interest loans for those who would not otherwise qualify (Subject to approval)
* contact support@opnc.ca for appointments
Canada Learning Bond
* Free Government Money for your child's education
* visit smartsaver.org for more details
Utility Bill Payment Assistance
* for more information see, Gas & Hydro Bill Assistance - Oakville
Financial Management Support
* budgeting, information and referral for support
* Wed & Thu 11:30 am-2:30 pm
Assistive Devices
* small inventory of items to give those in need
* ability to provide funding to purchase items
* contact hello@opnc.ca
- takeaway breakfast available Friday 10 am at 30 St Lawrence
- takeaway dinner available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 6 pm at 30 St Lawrence
- no communal dining
- meals on wheels open, call for details
- some programs remain remote, other have begun in-person activities, check website for details
Numerous services including:
- social, recreation and education programs for low income residents of all ages
- summer day camp
- Growing Up Healthy Downtown (see separate entry) -- for families of young people in Regent Park
- English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
- breakfast program Friday 10 am
- assistance with budgeting, identification, government forms Monday-Friday 1 pm-4 pm
- income tax clinic February-April
- community development
- youth health promotion worker
- Employment Services including Literacy and Basic Skills
- Member agency of Toronto Drop-in Network (TDIN)
- individual or group lessons
- fees on a sliding scale
For Seniors:
- social, recreation and fitness programs
- health education
- home support services -- home help, van shopping, list shopping -- fee
- escort to medical appointments, friendly visiting, telephone security check, client intervention and assistance -- free
- Mandarin Outreach -- including settlement and newcomer services, social and cultural events, support groups and workshops
- includes personal care, essential homemaking, emergency response, and care coordination
- 4 participating buildings -- Old York Tower, Performing Arts Lodge of Canada, Older Women's Network Co-op, New Hibret Co-op
- one-on-one peer counselling
- social, recreational, and educational activities
- support, information, resources and training with financial issues
- opening a bank account
- social assistance benefits
- debt problems
- income tax return preparation
- hot lunch and coffee/tea to go
- drop in centre open, limited indoor seating due to physical distancing Monday-Friday 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Sunday 5 pm-6 pm
- take away meals available Monday-Friday 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Sunday 5 pm-6 pm
- 1:1 support 9 am-12:30 pm
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Adult drop-in
- take away meals with snack and beverage
- laundry and washroom access
- 1:1 client suport including housing help, voluntary financial trusteeship (open for referrals), information and referral
- clothing bank -- 2nd and 4th Wednesday of month 9 am-10:30 am
- women's group -- 1st and 3rd Tuesday of month 1 pm-2 pm
- men's group -- Thursday 12:30 pm-2 pm
- movie day -- 1st and 3rd Monday 12:30 pm-2 pm
- walk in COVID-19 vaccine clinic -- Monday 9:30 am-11:30 am
- nursing services -- Friday (resuming October)
- dental clinic -- call for eligibility criteria and appointment, ext 290
- Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, call for information
- Sunday dinner 5 pm-6 pm
- Sunday worship service 6 pm-7 pm
- 1:1 counselling support Monday-Friday 9 am-12 noon