Searching for Young Parents

Ongoing programs include: drop-in, development, mentoring, outreach, leadership development, and volunteer opportunities. Individualized supports and referrals for youth as needed in areas of mental health, sexual identity, education, job, family and more.

COVID19 Contact for details on in-person and virtual services

Support, counselling, health system navigation assistance, parent education, information and referral, and public awareness from a Catholic perspective

One-to-One Counselling
Emotional and practical support including prenatal and postnatal information and education, and strategies and resources for housing, income supports, education, and employment

Growing as Parents (GAP)
12 week parenting and life skills programs, including Nobody's Perfect and Me, My Baby, Our World

• child minding, snacks and bus tickets for participants
• free prenatal vitamins in partnership with Vitamin Angels

Super Connection
12 week parenting and life skills program for young parents

• food literacy and food insecurity
• access to fresh food, shared meal, and health and nutrition education
• interactive cooking

Care Closet
Diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, gently used baby clothes and related items

• dependent on donations
• open to registered clients only

Parenting and Catholic Education (PACE)
High school program for pregnant and parenting students in partnership with St Oscar Romero Catholic Secondary School

Satellite offices in Brampton and Caledon, by appointment only

COVID19

• Teen Prenatal Supper Clubs cancelled until further notice
• call Peel Public Health or visit website for updates
• online prenatal classes available, email prenatalhealthmatters@peelregion.ca

Teen Prenatal Supper Clubs

• prenatal classes and supper
• topics include health during pregnancy, coping with labour and delivery, newborn care, cooking simple meals
• social support
• connection with public health nurses and other health professionals
• support person welcome

The Supper Club Classes are offered in locations throughout Mississauga and Brampton

Provides financial benefits through Ontario Works, as well as employment and social supports to people living in Toronto

Financial Assistance -- monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• provides money for food, shelter, and other household costs
• coverage for prescription medications under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• help with health costs and employment related expenses
• visit www.toronto.ca/ontarioworks for list of benefits

Health Support --includes medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation

• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials
• some benefits may be available to only those receiving social assistance, visit website for more information

Employment Assistance -- programs, services, and benefits for those seeking employment such as benefits for employment-related or training costs, costs related to starting a job

• Employment centres - walk-in job search centres
• Training Programs - programs to assist clients prepare for employment, self-employment or career advancement
• Employer Hotline 416-397-JOBS (5627) --for employers to post jobs
• clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Child and Family Support - benefits include newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents 16-25 finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment
• help in pursuing child or spousal support

Housing Stabilization Fund --help with rent and energy arrears, rent deposit, moving costs and essential furniture

Social Supports -- referral to community and government services including child care, housing, addiction supports, health and mental health services, food banks, legal services, supports for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities

Client Services and Information Unit 416-338-8888, option 3, then option 5 --information on Ontario Works, including legislation and procedures

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm, Sat-Sun noon-5 pm -- automated information, payment details, file status, service not available to TTY users

MyBenefits -- online service available to residents receiving Ontario Works to access information via smartphone, tablet or computer

Service and Benefit Finder -- personalized list of benefits for child care, employment, housing and living expenses

Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works assistance

Meeting space for rent to charities and non-profits, community kitchen

Programs are offered by many agencies such as these (some will have separate listings with more information):
Regeneration Outreach serving meals seven days a week

Vita Centre for Pregnant and Parenting Youth -- providing community support to pregnant and parenting women

Grace Noon AA Meetings, AA Brampton United Group, Living In Recovery (Narcotics Anonymous), Steps To Grace (Cocaine Anonymous), Alanon Group

Provides furnished transitional housing apartments and support to young mothers with on-site programming and support staff. Offers supportive programs to those in the transitional housing.

Provides young mothers in the east end of Hamilton the opportunity to attend high school in an alternative education setting with on-site child care for their children.

Provides financial benefits through Ontario Works, as well as employment and social supports to people living in Toronto

Financial Assistance -- monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• provides money for food, shelter, and other household costs
• coverage for prescription medications under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• help with health costs and employment related expenses
• visit www.toronto.ca/ontarioworks for list of benefits

Health Support --includes medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation

• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials
• some benefits may be available to only those receiving social assistance, visit website for more information

Employment Assistance -- programs, services, and benefits for those seeking employment such as benefits for employment-related or training costs, costs related to starting a job

• Employment centres - walk-in job search centres
• Training Programs - programs to assist clients prepare for employment, self-employment or career advancement
• Employer Hotline 416-397-JOBS (5627) --for employers to post jobs
• clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Child and Family Support - benefits include newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents 16-25 finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment
• help in pursuing child or spousal support

Housing Stabilization Fund --help with rent and energy arrears, rent deposit, moving costs and essential furniture

Social Supports -- referral to community and government services including child care, housing, addiction supports, health and mental health services, food banks, legal services, supports for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities

Client Services and Information Unit 416-338-8888, option 3, then option 5 --information on Ontario Works, including legislation and procedures

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm, Sat-Sun noon-5 pm
automated information, payment details, file status, service not available to TTY users

MyBenefits -- online service available to residents receiving Ontario Works to access information via smartphone, tablet or computerWelfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980

Service and Benefit Finder -- personalized list of benefits for child care, employment, housing and living expenses

Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works assistance

Offers young parents an opportunity to earn secondary school credits for learning and demonstrating effective parenting practices. The curriculum is developed to support hands-on, experiential based learning. The parents bring their infants to the classroom every day. The classroom is set up to meet the needs of the parent's learning and the infant's care.

Provides community support and case management services to at-risk pregnant and parenting youth.
Services include:

• counselling
• prenatal education
• strollerfit and exercise programs
• community referrals

School programs serves pregnant and/or parenting young women and their infants. Program consists of 3 Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board teachers and a Program Liaison. Together they work toward ensuring our young moms achieve as many credits as possible, while continuing to build on their parenting skills, manage their finances, connect with community supports like Public Health, and more.The Infant Playtime Plus (IPP) serves infants 6 weeks to 24 months while mothers attend an on-site school program.

Provides financial benefits through Ontario Works, as well as employment and social supports to people living in Toronto

Financial Assistance -- monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• provides money for food, shelter, and other household costs
• coverage for prescription medications under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• help with health costs and employment related expenses
• visit www.toronto.ca/ontarioworks for list of benefits

Health Support --includes medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation

• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials
• some benefits may be available to only those receiving social assistance, visit website for more information

Employment Assistance -- programs, services, and benefits for those seeking employment such as benefits for employment-related or training costs, costs related to starting a job

• Employment centres - walk-in job search centres
• Training Programs - programs to assist clients prepare for employment, self-employment or career advancement
• Employer Hotline 416-397-JOBS (5627) --for employers to post jobs
• clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Child and Family Support - benefits include newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents 16-25 finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment
• help in pursuing child or spousal support

Housing Stabilization Fund --help with rent and energy arrears, rent deposit, moving costs and essential furniture

Social Supports -- referral to community and government services including child care, housing, addiction supports, health and mental health services, food banks, legal services, supports for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities

Client Services and Information Unit 416-338-8888, option 3, then option 5 --information on Ontario Works, including legislation and procedures

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm, Sat-Sun noon-5 pm
automated information, payment details, file status, service not available to TTY users

MyBenefits -- online service available to residents receiving Ontario Works to access information via smartphone, tablet or computerWelfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980

Service and Benefit Finder -- personalized list of benefits for child care, employment, housing and living expenses

Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works assistance

Provides financial benefits through Ontario Works, as well as employment and social supports to people living in Toronto

Financial Assistance -- monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• provides money for food, shelter, and other household costs
• coverage for prescription medications under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• help with health costs and employment related expenses
• visit www.toronto.ca/ontarioworks for list of benefits

Health Support --includes medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation

• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials
• some benefits may be available to only those receiving social assistance, visit website for more information

Employment Assistance -- programs, services, and benefits for those seeking employment such as benefits for employment-related or training costs, costs related to starting a job

• Employment centres - walk-in job search centres
• Training Programs - programs to assist clients prepare for employment, self-employment or career advancement
• Employer Hotline 416-397-JOBS (5627) --for employers to post jobs
• clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Child and Family Support - benefits include newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents 16-25 finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment
• help in pursuing child or spousal support

Housing Stabilization Fund --help with rent and energy arrears, rent deposit, moving costs and essential furniture

Social Supports -- referral to community and government services including child care, housing, addiction supports, health and mental health services, food banks, legal services, supports for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm, Sat-Sun noon-5 pm -- automated information, payment details, file status, service not available to TTY users

Client Services and Information Unit 416-338-8888, option 3, then option 5 --information on Ontario Works, including legislation and procedures

MyBenefits -- online service available to residents receiving Ontario Works to access information via smartphone, tablet or computer

Service and Benefit Finder -- personalized list of benefits for child care, employment, housing and living expenses

Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works assistance

Promotes access to health care for street involved youth * services tailored to homeless and at-risk youths

• ID clinic
• youth case management
• youth harm reduction supports
• pregnancy and parenting supports
• youth legal supports
• housing support
• medical and health care
• drop-in centre on Wed 4pm-6pm

Provides financial benefits through Ontario Works, as well as employment and social supports to people living in Toronto

Financial Assistance -- monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• provides money for food, shelter, and other household costs
• coverage for prescription medications under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• help with health costs and employment related expenses
• visit www.toronto.ca/ontarioworks for list of benefits

Health Support --includes medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation

• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials
• some benefits may be available to only those receiving social assistance, visit website for more information

Employment Assistance -- programs, services, and benefits for those seeking employment such as benefits for employment-related or training costs, costs related to starting a job

• Employment centres - walk-in job search centres
• Training Programs - programs to assist clients prepare for employment, self-employment or career advancement
• Employer Hotline 416-397-JOBS (5627) --for employers to post jobs
• clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Child and Family Support - benefits include newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents 16-25 finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment
• help in pursuing child or spousal support

Housing Stabilization Fund --help with rent and energy arrears, rent deposit, moving costs and essential furniture

Social Supports -- referral to community and government services including child care, housing, addiction supports, health and mental health services, food banks, legal services, supports for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities

Client Services and Information Unit 416-338-8888, option 3, then option 5 --information on Ontario Works, including legislation and procedures

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm, Sat-Sun noon-5 pm
automated information, payment details, file status, service not available to TTY users

MyBenefits -- online service available to residents receiving Ontario Works to access information via smartphone, tablet or computerWelfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980

Service and Benefit Finder -- personalized list of benefits for child care, employment, housing and living expenses

Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works assistance

COVID19 Modified services via phone, email, video calling, or screened on-site services by appointment with enhanced safety protocols

Health Centre
Nurses or nurse practitioners available for phone consultations and referrals, or by appointment; urgent psychiatry visits can be arranged; call 416-929-9614 ext 2238 or email healthcentre@ysm.ca

Mental Health Services
Telephone counselling by appointment, call Nazreth 416-929-9614 ext 2269 or email nmebrahtu@ysm.ca

Nursery
Appointments available for supplies for young families in need; current registered families may receive a 2 week supply of child supplies, to coordinate pick up call Ruth 416-929-9614 ext 2232 or email rroblin@ysm.ca

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Health Services
Including primary medical care, dental care, check ups, lab tests (including HIV testing), referrals, and ID replacement; no Ontario Health Insurance or identification required; child care available

• access to diapers, formula, baby food
• birth control, pregnancy tests
• prenatal care, perinatal services
• prenatal and parenting classes
• immunization
• optometry, eye glasses
• chiropractor, physiotherapist, naturopath, psychiatrist
• addictions counselling
• traditional Chinese medicine
• foot care, socks and shoes
• health education and counselling on health issues

Provides support for pregnant and parenting young people living in the community who may need assistance making connections to community resources, navigating services systems, and learning self-advocacy skills.
Also offers Community Education and Awareness workshops/presentations about young parent needs. Staff are available to offer in-service education about the needs of young parents and the supports offered through St. Martin's Manor and the Young Parent Network of Hamilton

Free childcare program for children (0-5 years) of young parents under 25 in order to support them in maintaining positive mental health.
Parents are expected to provide both lunch and dinner for their children. Children will have opportunities to play both indoors and outdoors so come prepared for the weather.

School programs and on-site supports for pregnant and parenting young women who live in the community. Nutritious lunch and snacks are provided daily.
The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board provides and on-site classroom offering a range of grade 9-12 credits. Additional supports are available including prenatal, parenting, and life skills programs as well as counselling, and referral to other community and health care resources.

Humewood House Association and Massey Centre have merged, contact Massey Centre for program information at 416-425-6348, or visit www.massey.ca

COVID19 Humewood House closed to walk-in service; access restricted to residents, staff, and essential visitors only

• intake and food bank by appointment only
• telephone support, call 416-977-1333
• visit Humewood House website for information, including essential items donation

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Pregnancy and parenting support services, residential services and transitional housing, food bank, life skills, counselling, child care and high school program

HomeNest
In-home intensive prenatal and postnatal program for pregnant and parenting teens, and their babies

• individual and family counselling
• life skills, parenting skills
• transitional and supportive housing, see branch entry Young Parent Resource Centre

Counselling
Individual and family counselling, support groups, advocacy, information and referral

Food Bank

• groceries, clothing for infants, toddlers, and parents
• household items
• by appointment

Education program
For residents and pregnant or parenting youth, includes onsite high school classrooms

• life skills
• counselling
• licensed infant centre
• in partnership with Toronto District School Boar

Eating Disorders Program

• for children and youth 8-18 years
• diagnosis and treatment
• inpatient and outpatient programs
• family education

Substance Abuse Day Treatment Program and Outpatient Services

• harm reduction approach
• assessment, individual and group treatment
• day treatment with academic program
• parent support

Young Families Program

• health care for adolescent mothers and their children
• nutrition and feeding
• parenting education

SickKids Interprofessional Team for Youth (SITY)

• focuses on illness-specific issues for youth with chronic health conditions
• identification and reduction of high-risk health behaviours
• health care for marginalized and at-risk populations including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth, street-involved teens, and immigrant and newcomer adolescents
• advocacy

Transgender Youth Clinic -- interdisciplinary medical care and support to transgender adolescents

SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health (formerly Hincks-Dellcrest Centre) -- see separate entries

Provides financial benefits through Ontario Works, as well as employment and social supports to people living in Toronto

Financial Assistance -- monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• provides money for food, shelter, and other household costs
• coverage for prescription medications under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• help with health costs and employment related expenses
• visit www.toronto.ca/ontarioworks for list of benefits

Health Support --includes medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation

• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials
• some benefits may be available to only those receiving social assistance, visit website for more information

Employment Assistance -- programs, services, and benefits for those seeking employment such as benefits for employment-related or training costs, costs related to starting a job

• Employment centres - walk-in job search centres
• Training Programs - programs to assist clients prepare for employment, self-employment or career advancement
• Employer Hotline 416-397-JOBS (5627) --for employers to post jobs
• clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Child and Family Support - benefits include newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents 16-25 finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment
• help in pursuing child or spousal support

Housing Stabilization Fund --help with rent and energy arrears, rent deposit, moving costs and essential furniture

Social Supports -- referral to community and government services including child care, housing, addiction supports, health and mental health services, food banks, legal services, supports for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities

Client Services and Information Unit 416-338-8888, option 3, then option 5 --information on Ontario Works, including legislation and procedures

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm, Sat-Sun noon-5 pm automated information, payment details, file status, service not available to TTY users

MyBenefits -- online service available to residents receiving Ontario Works to access information via smartphone, tablet or computerWelfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980

Service and Benefit Finder -- personalized list of benefits for child care, employment, housing and living expenses

Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works assistance

COVID19 -- most services available by virtual care or telemedicine, call ahead for details * sexual health drop in suspended * if clients need an in-person appointment, call first for screening



Community health centre provides primary, sexual and mental health care services for youth

Services include

• information and referrals on sexual and reproductive health issues, birth control, relationships, pregnancy options, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, safer sex
• health promotion programming, education, training, and research

Sexual and reproductive health services

• birth control and prescriptions at reduced rates
• emergency contraception
• IUD insertion
• sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment
• anonymous HIV testing
• free condoms and lube
• pregnancy tests
• counselling on pregnancy options
• prenatal health care

Primary health care

• general and ongoing healthcare
• immunizations (including flu shots)
• treatment for coughs and colds

Mental health services

• therapy and counselling
• case coordinator services
• assistance finding and accessing other services in Toronto

Community programming

• workshops and programming on sexual health, healthier relationships
• programs for all youth including young parents, newcomers, LGBTQ, and specifically for young men

See program entries for

• Community Health Centre for Youth
• Teen Health Source
• Teens Educating and Confronting Homophobia (TEACH)

COVID19 Most services available by virtual care or telemedicine, call ahead for details; sexual health drop in suspended; if clients need an in-person appointment, call first for screening

Community health centre
Primary health, sexual and reproductive health, and mental health care

• drop-in clinic
• telephone access to physician or nurse practitioner
• hormone therapy for trans clients
• birth control counselling
• emergency contraception
• birth control including IUD insertions, prescriptions, condoms
• pregnancy testing and counselling, including pregnancy options
• medical abortions up to 9 weeks gestation
• prenatal care
• sexually transmitted infections testing and treatment
• anonymous HIV testing
• mental health case coordination
• individual and group counselling
• no Ontario Health Insurance required for general services

Information and referral
Assistance finding food, housing, employment and legal aid

• assistance obtaining health card
• translation and interpretation by appointment

COVID19 Telephone or video conferencing available for most services; no in-person services; contact for information

Supports include counselling, referrals, ID replacement assistance, training and employment program, outreach and seminars

Delivery of food assistance available, call for information