Searching for Support Groups

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

Referrals to 12-step recovery meetings for people who have a desire to recover from sexually compulsive or addictive behavior * meeting formats include face-to-face, telephone, and web-based options * does not offer telephone counselling and is not a hotline

Services

• support, information, and long-term counselling services to survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment and childhood sexual abuse
• information and short-term counselling for supporters of survivors
• support groups and workshops
• accompaniment to court, hospital or police
• community education
• volunteer training program
• public education

Self-help support group for compulsive gamblers

• based on a 12-step program

Meetings:

Monday Ottawa 7:30 PM

• St. Aidan's Anglican Church
• 934 Hamlet Road
• Open Meeting Grey door is left of main door. Leave footwear on first landing)

Monday Smith Falls 6:00 PM

• H.O.W. Group
• 179 Elmsley Street N.
• Smith Falls, Ontario
• Open Meeting

Wednesday Ottawa 7:30 PM

• Alexander Community Centre
• 960 Silver Street
• Open Meeting

Thursday Kanata 7:30 PM

• Kanata Community Christian Reformed Church
• 46 Castle Frank Road (south of Hazeldean Road), downstairs/Room 111
• Ottawa, Ontario
• Open Meeting

Thursday Orleans 7:00 PM

• The Community Pentecostal Church
• 1825 St. Joseph Blvd.
• Orleans, Ontario
• Open Meeting

Saturday Ottawa 1:00 PM

• McNabb Community Centre
• 180 Percy St
• Ottawa Ontario
• Open Meeting

Support organization

• support groups
• individual support including advocacy
• peer support model
• short and long-term support
• information
• support line
• Young Women At Risk (YWAR) Program
• Women & War Program
• Ritual Abuse Support
• public education
• speakers
• volunteer opportunities
• information on violence against women issues
• accompaniment and support to court, hospital and police (as resources allow)

General support groups:

• four general support groups per year (daytime and evening)
• generally 8-10 women per group
• lasts 15-20 weeks, meeting once per week for 3 hours
• specialized support groups as needed

Training program for prospective volunteers twice per year (Fall and Spring)

Information sessions for women healing from sexual violence, subjects include:

• dealing with memories and flashbacks
• understanding and releasing anger
• self-esteem and self-care

Support group dedicated to individuals or families affected by anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) or severe allergies to food and other products

• support and education about anaphylaxis
• promotion of allergy awareness in and around the Ottawa-Gatineau area
• quarterly meetings to provide opportunities for formal and informal discussion
• internal group forum allows members to communicate with each other

Information and psychological/emotional support for persons who will or have undergone intestinal or urinary tract diversion surgery

• colostomy
• urostomy
• ileostomy
• ileo-anal reservoir

Meetings:

• supportive visiting service to ostomates, their families and caregivers
• support is available before, during and after the hospital stay
• visitors are trained volunteers who are matched by age, sex, and type of surgery
• members are encouraged to bring their spouses, family and friends to the meetings
• meetings are via zoom (virtual) during the winter, and in person other months. We try to also include a hybrid component to the in person meetings.

Association that provides support, advocacy, information and advice about divorce

• education
• counselling
• workshops
• seminars
• support groups

Topics: how to find a lawyer

• security and safety issues
• contacting reliable child care agencies
• psychological and physical health issues
• financial advice
• employment and business opportunities
• educational opportunities
• adequate housing

Members gather together to support and share with each other through self-discovery

• Tools of the program: Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions for knowledge and wisdom
• Meetings are available in: Barrie, Brampton, Hamilton, London, Mississauga, New Market, Ottawa, Peterborough, Richmond Hill, Sudbury, Toronto, Wasaga Beach and Windsor

Volunteers are dedicated to helping Lupus patients learn about and cope with this chronic disease. They provide a means for Education, Support, Public Awareness and Research.

Gives support by:

• Telephone networking and counselling for new patients
• Holding support meetings for discussion, learning and sharing

Educates by:

• Producing and distributing information via pamphlets newsletters and videos
• Holding public meetings and workshops to learn from experts

Increases awareness by:

• Having displays in malls and health fairs
• Speaking to groups such as service clubs, and community organizations
• Having local and national media do stories about lupus

Encourages research by:

• Assisting in funding lupus clinics in five rheumatic disease units
• Funding a fellowship to enable a rheumatology student an extra year of study with lupus patients
• Funding research pilot programs and special equipment (when funds are available)

Community-based organization

• for recovering addicts and those who have a desire to stop using drugs
• members offer peer support to one another on how to live a drug-free life and recover from the effects of addiction

Fellowship of individuals recovering from compulsive overeating

• abstain from compulsive eating
• carry the message of recovery through the Twelve Steps of OA to those who still suffer
• additional information can be found online at www.oa.org

COVID-19 (20 August 2021): Meetings are only held virtually until further notice

Addiction recovery peer support group for individuals with substancce abuse and their family and friends

• alcohol
• eating disorders
• marijuana
• gambling
• prescription drugs
• heroin
• sex addiction
• smoking
• face-to-face and online mutual help groups

Organization that assists and supports older adults in the care and well-being of their dogs

• public education
• loss and bereavement support

Dog Care Support for Seniors:

• provides assistance with obtaining food and feeding
• assistance with animal hygiene
• minor grooming such as nail clipping or help with brushing
• transportation to and from veterinarian or groomer
• temporary care during hospitalization
• volunteer visits to help with exercising the dog, delivering or picking up dog food from a grocery or pet store, and light tasks associated with hygiene

Long-term care for older dogs:

• care and companionship for older dogs whose lives have been disrupted due to illness, relocation, or death of a human companion
• helps re-home older dogs
• foster care, adoption, and pre-planned long-term care services in an approved home

Educational and supportive programming for mothers

Mom to be:

• all day workshop for moms that provides information and support prior to the baby's arrival
• childbirth education and relaxation techniques
• expert speakers
• topics like nutrition, preparing your body physically for childbirth, and what to expect when it comes to breastfeeding
• yoga or pilates class suitable for all fitness levels

Mom & Baby:

• discussion lead by a local expert or participation in a local activity
• learn about services and programs
• parenting informations
• fitness class for mothers
• classes for babies to teach them to crawl around

Mom & Tot:

• six week program
• weekly visit to a local activity

Community-based support network for parents of premature children

Offers support through:

• Presents for Preemies program: packages provided to families in the hospital by request * contains thermal tote bag, gently used preemie clothing and other useful items
• In hospital support meetings: the Hand in Hand Program allows parents to talk and ask questions to other parents with experience
• Online support group: a closed Facebook group (Facebook.com/groups/parentsofpreemies) allows parents to connect with other preemie parents who are currently in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or whose babies have graduated * ask questions, share stories and support one another
• Annual family events: allow parents and children to connect, stay in contact, and have fun after their time in the NICU

Zoom meeting support (during COVID) and in-person meetings for parents with disruptive and difficult youth

• provides both encouragement and parenting strategies

International anal cancer support organization

• website contains related information and resources

Support group located in Ottawa

• offers encouragement and advice to patients from their initial diagnosis, through their treatment, and then their life after treatment

Anal Buds:

• one-to-one peer support available in person, by email, or by telephone
• available worldwide
• predominantly English speaking at this time

National, community-based organization of volunteers seeking to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer

• funds cancer research that will help reduce cancer incidence, reduce cancer deaths, and improve the quality of life for people living with cancer
• offers up-to-date credible information on all types of cancer
• provides cancer prevention information
• offers peer support for those fighting cancer and their caregivers
• offers free prevention presentations to businesses or organizations
• helps Canadians every step of the way through their cancer journey
• advocates for healthy public policies
• offers smoke cessation assistance

For free transportation to cancer-related appointments, see separate listing

COVID-19 (21 Apr 2020): Staff is delivering services remotely. Métis who are in need of help accessing supports are urged to contact the MNO toll free at 1-800-263-4889 or email covidhelp@metisnation.org.

Peer support groups, education, and training for family members, service providers, and caregivers

• sessions may include information such as advanced directives and safety issues

COVID 19: Courts are not operating as usual. Do not go to court unless you have been told to attend. Ontarians can continue to access the justice system for urgent matters, including online.

Resource centre that provides the public with information and education to help them deal with family law issues

• Information about legal services, the court process and court forms
• Advice Lawyer from Legal Aid Ontario available at designated times
• Information and Referral services to alternative dispute resolution options, community resources and family mediation services
• Information about and scheduling for the Mandatory Information Program

Open meetings of relatives and friends of alcoholics

• welcomes teens affected by someone else's drinking

Open meetings of relatives and friends of alcoholics

• teenagers welcomed

Al-Anon: twelve-step mutual support program for families and friends of problem drinkers

Alateen: twelve-step mutual support program for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking

Research-informed peer support and mental health programming to Canadian veterans

Programming

• art therapy
• beekeeping
• organic gardening
• chicken keeping
• donkey walking