Searching for Street Outreach

Provides outreach and support programs, initiatives to prevent homelessness, and funding for shelters.

Services include:
Social Services Homelessness Team - case managers complete outreach to the emergency shelters, housing programs, and street outreach to assist with:

• case coordination
• applications for social assistance
• access to benefits

Emergency After Hours Service provides assistance and referrals by phone for anyone seeking emergency shelter after hours. For non-emergency inquiries or for assistance during office hours, call the regular office phone number.

Also provides funding for the following services:

• Brock Mission for men
• Cameron House for women
• YES Shelter for Youth and Families
• Overflow Shelter providing a temporary place to eat, sleep, and receive personal supports
• Crossroads Shelter offering 24-hour emergency shelter for women and children fleeing from violence

Rent supplements: administered through community partners or attached to youth or chronic homelessness housing programs

Clinical addiction and mental health services at the emergency shelters

Christian charity provides emergency shelter, food, clothing and support to the local community.

• see separate listings for men's and women's shelters (Brock Mission and Cameron House)

Services include:

• mental health support
• daytime safe sleep
• medical clinic for primary care and psychiatric support
• Hep C testing
• addiction counselling and support with withdrawal management
• harm reduction supplies
• housing navigation and shelter referrals
• financial support (Ontario Works)
• peer support and outreach
• access to in-person Victim Services

On-site partners include

• Mission United Durham Program
• Canadian Mental Health Association Durham
• Lakeridge Health -Durham Mental Health Services
• Lakeridge Health- Pinewood Centre
• Ontario Works
• Primary Care Outreach Program
• Community Care Durham
• Community Development Council Durham
• AIDS Committee of Durham Region
• Carea Community Health Centre
• John Howard Society of Durham Region
• Victim Services of Durham Region

Additional supports available (see separate Food Pantry and Clothing listing):

• pantry and clothing items
• daily meals
• washrooms available
• showers by appointment
• cell phone charging and phone access available

Services and supports include

• on-site Social Worker
• counselling (online)
• intervention and prevention focused activities and programs for at-risk youth
• ID Support
• hygiene & baby products
• shower and washer, dryer
• use of telephone, photocopier, fax, printer
• addictions and parenting programs
• special interest programs art, camping
• cell phones can be charged depending on availability, please let staff know that you would like to charge before plugging in

COVID19

• shower and washroom Mon-Fri 11 am-2:30 pm
• cell phones charged while open
• drop-in closed
• breakfast - see separate listing

Drop-in and outreach centre

• supply basic nutritional staples
• clothing
• foot care services
• warmth during coldest hours of the day throughout winter months and cool environment during hot summer days
• access to counseling and a support network
• mobile unit which seeks out individuals in alleyways and streets of Durham Region and goes directly into environments known as Tent Cities

Mobile street outreach program

• team consists of community-based outreach worker and a health promoter
• serve as point of first contact for individuals who are unsheltered and vulnerable and help to provide connections to outreach services
• outreach worker and health promoter also provide support, education and training to businesses in the area

Mobile outreach services from an Advance Care Paramedic and Social Worker working with community partners to deliver services and help individuals connect with community supports

Advance Care Paremedic ​provides

• assessments, triage and interventions, including blood glucose testing for diabetic clients
• medical counselling, and referrals for medical care
• other supports for physical health

Social Worker provides

• client engagement and assessment
• service navigation and referrals to community supports, such as addiction and mental health agencies, and counselling for crises, depression, substance abuse, attempted suicide, trauma and other health concerns

COVID19 - open with capacity of 8 beds * youth encouraged to connect for options and supports * contact the shelter Monday-Sunday 24 hours at 905-239-9477 or contact@durhamyouth.com

8-bed emergency shelter for homeless youth

• shower and washroom facilities, hygiene products, clothing
• meals, food bank
• assist youth in finding permanent housing
• housing outreach and support
• assistance obtaining benefits and advocacy negotiating social service system
• access to telephone and internet
• intensive case management

Mobile service providing all essentials

• truck in downtown Ajax - plaza at 120 Harwood Avenue South
• from meals and sleeping bags to winter clothing and backpacks
• if there is a need, will work to address it
• available to assist agencies in emergency situations

COVID19 Housing and other workers can be reached by telephone, fax or email; group programs, and community support and outreach offices temporarily closed

Assistance for women in accessing and maintaining safe, affordable housing, and in developing community support networks, including support for women with children who have experienced or survived violence, practical support to women who have been homeless or lived in poverty for a long period, and assistance for women with mental health or substance abuse issues to live independently in the community

• information, referrals, community links including immigration and legal information
• family advocacy
• support groups
• workshops and seminars
• community development and outreach

Covid19 -- all LOFT seniors and 24/7 adult supportive housing locations will only allow essential visitors until further notice (those who have a resident who is dying or very ill) * community and residential supports will continue


Mobile service Van

• mental health and nursing assessment/care
• crisis support, intervention and prevention
• condoms, needle exchange
• assistance in finding shelter and transport for first-time access to shelter, and survival supplies like food, clothing, sleeping bags, tarps and tents
• information and referral

Community Access Services

• Commissioner of Oaths
• harm reduction supplies/support
• homeless services and drop-in
• computers, internet access, fax, photocopier
• income tax clinic
• Metro Voice Mail -- persons without telephones receive private phone number to retrieve messages from any touch-tone phone

Harm Reduction Services -- individual and community support or information about opiate use and addiction, addiction counselling, counselling and case management, harm reduction supplies (mobile and fixed site)

Housing Hub

• support for individuals and households at-risk or experiencing homelessness to find, apply for and maintain housing

Financial Empowerment and Problem-Solving (FEPS) program -- financial literacy workshops, income tax clinic, budgeting, mobile community financial worker

Medical Clinic

• biweekly for people who are experiencing homelessness
• not primary care, call 416-321-6912 ext 232 for appointment

Massage Parlour and Micro-Brothel Outreach -- for clients involved in sex work in massage parlours and micro-brothels in Scarborough

• distribution of safer sex tools, community referrals and informal case management
• access to sexual health testing appointments

Street Outreach Services

• mobile outreach in Scarborough and North York to support individuals experiencing homelessness and sleeping outdoors
• provides wellness checks, basic needs supplies, community referrals, informal counselling, support with accessing shelter and assistance finding and obtaining housing

Drop-In North

• breakfast, snacks and hot lunch
• access to computer
• locker storage (up to 3 months)
• information and referral
• individual support and informal counselling
• Harm Reduction Supplies and Service (mobile and fixed site) -- including clean needles, crack pipes, condoms

Member agency of Toronto Drop-in Network (TDIN)

COVID19 - Closed for public access until further notice.

Provides outreach/crisis services related to homelessness, including service navigation and short-term intensive case management

Francophone community health centre

Health and Medical Services

• family physicians, medical clinics and nursing care
• home visits by nurses
• dietitians and nutrition counselling
• anonymous HIV testing
• diabetes education program
• 24-hour medical hot-line
• immunization
• free diagnostic and specialist services for uninsured immigrants without legal status

French Social/Medical Interpreter Service

• interpretation in hospitals, clinics or doctors' offices
• homeless outreach and intervention
• assistance in obtaining identification
• advice on obtaining social assistance through Ontario Works
• mental health therapy, counselling and outreach for individuals, couples, families and groups
• crisis intervention
• relaxation group
• counselling and outreach for people with severe and persistent mental health issues

COVID19 -- Contact Health Connection for more information


Street Outreach Van (operated by LOFT/Crosslinks) provides services at convenient locations throughout York Region

• basic needs items such as food, clothing and shoes, sleeping bags, tents, tarps and blankets
• needle exchange supplies and information
• mental health and addiction resources including crisis support, intervention and prevention
• referrals to shelters and other community supports
• sexual health information and resources

Counselling and family support services

• court diversion services
• anger management, child and adolescent therapy, and art therapy
• outreach to street youth
• summer day camp for youth
• professional consultation and support program for community agencies

Anger Management Clinic, www.regeshangerclinic.com -- 11 week individual or group course on personal control for children, youth and adults

Get Off The Streets (GOTS) -- summer day camp program for youth 13-19 years, 7 weeks

• leadership, mentoring, life and social skills, includes sports, outings and cultural events

Family Support Program -- diagnosis and treatment planning

• crisis intervention
• individual therapy for children, youth and adults
• strategies for enriching school performance
• child management sessions
• aftercare follow-up for youth discharged from residential centres or foster care
• parenting courses for teen mothers and families with young children or teens

High on Success (HOS) Program -- school based program for youth involved with youth justice programs

• social and life skills training, self-esteem enhancement, decision making, conflict resolution, peer relationships, interpersonal communication
• drug awareness and harm reduction
• homework club
• field trips and social activities
• youth mentor training

Play Therapy Program -- for children 4-12 years who are coping with grief and loss, serious illness of a family member, adoption or foster care, bullying, abuse, violence, poor self-esteem

Reconnecting Youth -- school based drop-out prevention for at risk youth in grades 9-12

• life skills peer groups

COVID19 -- suspended until further notice

Breakfast, lunch * visiting nurse * access to clothing bank and telephone * assistance in obtaining identification, housing, legal help * information about Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) * community outreach

Access to a range of harm reduction supplies and materials and equipment including needles and syringes, safer crack kits, safer crystal meth kits; safer injection kits, stems screens etc * also provide harm reduction informant and education, and referrals to a wide range of services and resources

COUNTERfit Fixed Site - Access to a range of harm reduction supplies, materials and equipment including needles and syringes, safer crack kits, safer crystal meth kits, safer injection kits, stems screens, etc * provide harm reduction informant and education, and referrals to a range of services and resources

COUNTERfit Women's Harm Reduction Program - Support for marginalized women who use drugs * provide a safe space for open discussion, access to health care, engagement in harm reduction and provide employment and training opportunities

Harm Reduction Mobile Outreach - Deliver harm reduction materials and resources to people who use drugs and live in our catchment area * supplies and resources include new, sterile needles, distilled water, tournies, cookers, safer crack stems, filters, as well as injection and smoking kits, delivered through unmarked personal vehicles to your home or a coffee shop

KeepSIX Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS) - COUNTERfit Harm Reduction program's Supervised Consumption Services

Toronto Community Hepatitis C Program (TCHCP) - Support , education and treatment to people living with or at risk of acquiring Hepatitis C infection

Deliver harm reduction materials and resources to people who use drugs and live in our catchment area * supplies and resources include new, sterile needles, distilled water, tournies, cookers, safer crack stems, filters, as well as injection and smoking kits, delivered through unmarked personal vehicles to your home or a coffee shop

Referrals offered upon request * supplies delivered within 20 to 40 minutes of a call depending on the weather and the number of calls received

Detour Outreach available seven days per week. Provides people with:

• basic needs
• blankets and clothing
• bagged meals: breakfast, lunch and water
• tents and tarps
• access to showers
• conversation
• minor first aid attention
• referral to other programs and community resources
• harm reduction supplies
• brief crisis counselling
• advocacy support

Outreach Van - Daily Stops:

• Spirit Catcher at 10 am and 1:30 pm
• CMHA 15 Bradford Street at 5:30 pm
• All other times by appointment

COVID19 -- Contact for updated details on available services, restrictions and safety measures.

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Outreach and assistance in finding, obtaining and maintaining housing; networking and professional training opportunities

Homeless Outreach Program (HOP)
Outreach for persons living with HIV/AIDS who are homeless, including peer-led housing help drop-in program:

• housing search and placement
• eviction prevention
• transitional supports

AIDS Bereavement and Resiliency Project of Ontario - abrpo.org
Training and consultation to AIDS service organizations

Ontario Harm Reduction Network (OHRN) - www.ohrn.org
Training, networking opportunities and consultation to service providers and agencies; The Outreach Network (TON); provincial network of front-line harm reduction workers

Outreach worker connects with homeless people and assists with housing issues, income supports, medical referrals, access to harm reduction supplies, support to deal with alcohol and drug use * free walk in
counselling for the homeless where they speak with a counsellor every Wednesday
from 9:30am - 11:30am, first come first serve

COVID19

• staff will be on-site to answer phone calls
• drop-in program closed until further notice
• phone check-ins with clients, will ensure essential medication support is provided

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Drop-in crisis centre

• mental health case management and crisis intervention
• recreation and craft activities
• daily breakfast 8:30-10 am, and lunch 12 noon-1:30 pm
• telephone, shower and laundry facilities, ID clinic, voluntary trusteeship service
• medical clinic -- several days
• outreach services including substance abuse support
• liaison with other community agencies and government services

COVID19 -- Services offered:

• harm reduction supplies
• ID Safe
• Overdose Prevention Site
• mental health case management for existing clients
• nursing clinic for urgent issues/wound care

Visit website or call before going for updates


Nursing Clinics

• primary care nursing with onsite and outreach clinics
• service provided by registered nurses or nurse practitioners
• no Ontario Health Insurance required
• call or visit website for hours and locations

Walk-in Services

• personal and feminine hygiene supplies
• safer sex supplies
• socks and underwear, sleeping bags (and gloves, toques, long-johns, during fall and winter)
• information and referral
• access to telephone and fax

Harm Reduction

• safe injection and crack smoking kits
• volunteer kit making
• community outreach
• weekly drop-in

Overdose Prevention Site -- Monday-Friday 10 am-4 pm

Identification Replacement -- assistance with replacing birth certificates, Records of Landing (Verification of Status), health cards or marriage and death certificates

ID Safe -- identification storage facility and secure mail service

Community Health Program -- for homeless and under housed persons with mental health issues needing support and crisis intervention

Ve'ahavta Skills Academy (VSA) -- 8-month essential life skills program including classroom workshops, vocational assessments and case management sessions -- 9-week core program includes

• online workshops 3 days/week on pre-employment and life skills training
• follow up includes a 4-week bridging program and 6-months post-program support one-on-one with a case manager to identity goals and set action plans in place to achieve those goals

Building Foundations for Women (BFW) -- 8-month life skills and personal development learning program -- 9-week core program includes

• workshops 3 days/week on personal development and life skills training
• supports women experiencing poverty and other life challenges to build stable and active lives and move toward their employment and education goals
• follow up includes a 4-week bridging program and 6-months post program support one-on-one with a case manager to identify goals and set action plans in place to achieve those personal goals

Life Stabilization Program (LSP) -- 12-week program providing case management support to individuals struggling with poverty, mental health, and other complex challenges

• participants identify goals and work on action plans to achieve these short-term realistic goals
• ongoing peer support groups to promote interpersonal skills development

Recipe for Success: Preparatory Program -- 8-week employment training program for individuals interested in working in the food service industry

• combination of online workshops and in-kitchen hands on training designed to increase knowledge, skills, and confidence around food preparation in a commercial environment

Recipe for Success: Internship Program

• graduates of the Recipe for Success Preparatory Program can apply for a 4-month paid internship in Ve'ahavta's commercial kitchen to further enhance their skills and work experience
• participants attend two shifts per week where they lead volunteers in preparing hot, nutritious meals that support our mobile outreach program
• participants receive industry specific training such as a Food Handler's Certificate and First Aid/CPR

The Upper Shelf: Inventory Management Internship Program

• 4-month paid internship program in Ve'ahavta's warehouse
• participants learn to receive, sort, and track items in a warehouse setting using an inventory management database
• participants receive industry specific training such as Ladder Safety, Manual Materials Handling, and First Aid/CPR

Mobile Jewish Response to Homelessness (MJRH)

• mobile outreach vans deliver essential supplies to those experiencing homelessness across the city
• one van operates 7 shifts per week and second shift operates 3 shifts per week
• delivers food, clothing, hygiene supplies and harm reduction kits to those experiencing homelessness
• Outreach Workers on shift also provide referral services to those looking for further connections to supports

Volunteering

• hands-on, engaging, meaningful volunteer experiences in every program area
• contact office if interested in volunteering in any of the above programming areas

Member agency of Toronto Drop-in Network (TDIN) and the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness (TAEH)