Searching for Community Information

Provides a free, confidential, 24-hour distress line.

• uses trained volunteers
• assist callers to solve their own problems
• information and referrals
• intervene in life-threatening situations
• extensive pre-service training programs for distress line
• suicide prevention and intervention workshops
• communication skills training

ONTX provides emotional support, crisis and suicide intervention through text or instant message for those individual who many not want to receive support face to face or speak over the phone. Text 258258 or visit website to connect by instant message.

Provides a large variety of services including:
*care geared towards older adults such as living assistance including bathing, feeding, dressing as well as rehabilitation including occupational therapy and physiotherapy. Also provides assistance in nursing needs and footcare.
*support for family caregivers.
*community support and education in health care for aboriginal persons.
*driver's assessment and training for older adults.

See Services and Programs for a full list of supported services.

The primary purpose of each centre is to:
* provide free and confidential information to connect people to the social and community services and programs available in Halton
* jointly maintain the public online Halton Community Services Directory and publish print and electronic publications

Additional services include specialized services for other nonprofit information and referral organizations, including:
* community information data syndication and leasing
* custom views of the Halton Community Services Directory for targeted subject areas

Member of InformOntario, InformCanada and AIRS (Alliance of Information and Referral Systems)

Regional community information providers to Ontario 211 Services, Home and Community Care Support Services Mississauga Halton, the Halton Child Care Directory and Information Line and other local, regional and provincial projects

Main Services

• free and confidential information and referral service, providing individuals and organizations with current information on services available for Oakville residents
• provides a variety of posters, flyers, brochures and pamphlets from community agencies and nonprofits, free to the public, at all Oakville Public Library branches through community information boards, community outreach, and online
• provides a variety of directories and various lists of community organizations

Halton Information Providers

• lead agency
• in partnership with the other Halton resource centres, maintains the Halton Community Services Directory of over 4,000 listings pertaining to non-profit and government organizations providing services in the Halton area

Provides community support services to urban Aboriginal clients, regardless of age, who are disabled, chronically ill, frail, elderly or require acute/chronic continuum of care. Services include: medical transportation services, assistance with completing forms, community referrals, home visits, security checks, caregiver support, aid in transitioning from ODSP to Old Age Pension, and congregate dining meals and activities.

A free service of Burlington Public Library that provides personalized, confidential information and referral about human and community services available for seniors, adults, youth and children related to:
* arts and culture
* basic needs
* consumer services
* criminal justice and legal services
* crisis and support services
* education
* environment and public health
* government services
* health care
* housing
* income support and employment
* mental health
* recreation programs
* substance use disorder services

One of the five Halton Information Providers that maintain the Halton Community Services Directory of community services and organizations * maintains community information resources at all library branches

Confidential, non-judgmental, telephone and online support for those wanting to quit smoking. Text messaging support also available.

Social, recreation and fitness programs for all ages

• information and referral
• volunteer opportunities

Family and children (1-12 years)

• caregiver and child drop-in
• after school program
• pre-kindergarten enrichment (PEEP)
• homework club
• PA days and summer day camps
• sport and recreational activities
• EarlyON Child and Family Centre

Youth (13-24 years)

• after school program
• leadership summer camp
• boys and girls clubs
• employment support

Seniors (60 years and over)

• health and wellness
• social club and music, art, dance

Community Outreach

• community food gardening
• Neighbour 2 Neighbour (outreach for isolated adults)
• community kitchen

Food bank -- intake assessment to help provide appropriate referrals

• food including halal options
• emergency food supply

Employment -- job search assistance and resume/interview preparation

Information and referral services -- assistance in accessing resources in the community help to access benefits,housing, eviction prevention, addictions counselling and referrals to drug rehabilitation, free or low-cost furniture, clothing, eye-glasses

Member of the Mississauga Food Bank

A weekly check-in program for LGBTQ youth in Hamilton. Speqtrum staff check-in with participants once a week to chat, listen, provide peer, and emotional support, and connect you with other resources in the community. Check ins are offered by messaging on facebook, instagram, or email.

A weekly peer support group is also available to those in this program. Peer support session are open hours when Speqtrum staff are available online to chat and help with community referrals, answer questions, and discuss programming.

Community Resources Listings - general sources for community information

Information, referral and advocacy - help find the right government and community service in South/Central Etobicoke and throughout GTA

Form Filling - access to and support with completing government forms and applications

Legal Advice - summary legal advice and information available on a variety of matters and issues. By appointment only

True Copy/Affidavit - provision of true copy certification and affidavit swearing with a Commissioner of Oath.

Income Tax Clinic (Year Round) - free preperation and filing of income tax returns for low income individuals and families * criteria apply

Settlement Services for Newcomers to Canada - information, referral and orientation services for permanent residents, convention refugees and live-in caregivers

Offers a place to eat, drink, and rest.

• restroom access
• hygiene supplies
• free clothing including socks and underwear
• harm reduction supplies
• referrals to social supports and housing

Deliver various programs and services for Metis people * education & training, healing & wellness, intergovernmental relations, lands, resources & consultations

Education and Training - Offer a range of supports and services for the educational success of all Métis across Ontario beginning in early childhood, continuing through elementary school, middle school, and high school through to post-secondary education and into adulthood

Healing and Wellness - Facilitates and coordinates programs, services, and activities to address the holistic needs of Métis people in Ontario at the provincial, regional, and local levels

The program designed to help children and families from the pre-natal stage to six years of age * offers preparation for parenting and pre-natal and post-natal care * assist all Indigenous families in providing an environment for the healthy development of children through home visits, service coordination, and referrals

School Health is now offering a Live Chat service where secondary students can reach out to a local school nurse in real-time. Live Chat ensures that Niagara secondary students have a consistent, centralized and accessible way to reach a public health nurse when needed. Students can confidentially chat with a nurse about concerns and questions relating to:

• Sexual health and relationships
• Substance use and addiction
• Stress and coping skills
• Connection to community resources
• Other personal health concerns

Multi-service community centre, including early years drop-in programs, parent support, recreation and social activities, food hub, seasonal income tax clinic, information and referral, and community development

Parent and Child Programs

• after school and evening activities for children and youth
• therapeutic play group for children 3-5 years
• prenatal and perinatal nutrition and support
• children's summer day camp

After school and summer day camp may have waiting list, contact for information

EarlyON Child and Family Centres, see separate listing

Older Adults and Seniors Program
Social and recreation activities, check-in calls and referrals to community services

Community Programs
Access to food programs and seasonal tax clinic

• Neighbourhood Food Hub partner, www.neighbourhoodfoodhub.com, info@neighbourhoodfoodhub.com, see separate listing
• seasonal tax preparation clinic, by appointment February-April, 416-461-5046

Support to navigate the social system such as education, employment, housing, income supports (Ontario Works and ODSP), legal and immigration

Services include:

• support in navigating various systems - education, legal, immigration, housing, employment, pregnancy and parenting supports
• engagement with Children Aid Society
• referrals to other community organizations and government services
• help with completing applications/forms
• some accompaniments to key appointments.

COVID-19 - Telephone support and health information around COVID-19 for isolated seniors, provided by volunteer medical students and health professionals; volunteers do not provide medical advice

Services for seniors 65 years and older

• supportive and crisis counseling
• emotional support for loneliness and isolation
• short-term crisis management and referral
• service in-person (through COSS) if necessary
• supportive counselling over the phone, risk assessments, crisis de-escalation and triage to COSS (Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors) and behaviour supports

Information and referral for support services including:

• adult day programs for frail seniors or those with dementias, case management, congregate dining, crisis support, foot care, home assistance, hospice care, meals on wheels, medical escort, nursing, respite care for caregiver relief, security checks, shopping assistance, social contact, transportation
• intensive case management
• mental health and addictions support

A partnership between Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), WoodGreen Community Services and Les Centres d'Accueil Heritage

Free and confidential online legal advice for teens in Ontario

Telephone Counselling
Mental health and addiction information, professional counselling, and referral on a wide range of services on and off campus

Crisis Text Line
Trained volunteer crisis responders provide listening and support; anonymous and confidential

Partnership of Kids Help Phone, ConnexOntario Health Services Information and Ontario 211 Services (see separate entries), and Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health

COVID19 Peer support by chat and text Mon-Fri, Sun 4 pm-9:30 pm EST, visit YouthLine website for details; not a crisis service

Anonymous, confidential peer support by email, text and chat, on issues of concern to 2SLGBTQ+ youth such as anti-oppression, anti-racism, sex and consent, STIs, HIV, self-care, mental health

• information and referral
• referral database of 2SLGBTQ+ youth services

COVID19 Virtual and in-person supports available

Multi-service agency, including outreach assistance, telephone support and harm reduction supplies; referrals to food, legal and counselling; peer support counselling; arts and recreation seminars and events

Crisis Peer Supports
Includes family violence and child welfare supports; senior supports and referrals; culturally appropriate intervention program for at-risk youth and families; referrals to legal and medical services

Toronto Downtown East (DTE) Outreach Services
Access to harm reduction supplies, services, supports and referrals, 4 days a week in Toronto Downtown East; call 416-518-4824 or email harmreduction@equitablenow.ca; note that the front-line harm reduction outreach team is in the field and might not return calls immediately

Housing Supports
Advocacy and assistance in finding housing, shelter and food access services

Immigration
Settlement services and support, including orientation, advocacy and community support letters, crisis peer support; translation, interpretation, and referrals for immigration and sponsorship issues

Employment
Assistance in job search, resume writing, interview preparation, mentorship; employment training and education development; peer support for individuals experiencing long-term unemployment

COVID19 -- remains open with capacity limitations * take-out meals offered from the gate of 25 Augusta location * Clothing Bank closed to public, however people can go to the 25 Augusta location to request clothing assistance

Housing and casework support services

• access to crisis and mental health supports
• housing casework
• addiction and detoxification detox supports
• funding supports

Transitional Housing for women -- maximum stay 1 year, capacity 14

• One stop program
• life skills workshops
• housing support​

P.A.W.S. Program

• opportunity to apply for financial support for emergency veterinary health care, neutering, different treatments, and prescription medications for their pets
• sites are 100% pet friendly

Clothing Bank Program

COVID19 Free support, including text counselling, information, and referrals, available to anyone in any type of crisis through text or Facebook Messenger

Support and information in any type of crisis by trained volunteers crisis responders

• youth 5-25 years, text CONNECT to 686868, or message through Facebook Messenger
• adults 25 years and older, text WELLNESS to 686868, or message through Facebook Messenger
• available in English and French
• does not provide medical advice
• access text or Messenger also available on website

Access to culturally sensitive counselling (dependent on crisis responder availability)

• individuals who identify as Indigenous can ask to be connected with a First Nations, Inuk or Métis crisis responder by texting FIRST NATIONS, INUIT, OR METIS to 686868, or message through Facebook Messenger
• individuals who identify as African, Caribbean, Black or part of the Afro-diaspora can text RISE to 686868, or message through Facebook Messenger