Searching for Support Groups

Provides support, individual and group counselling to women, men, victims/survivors of human trafficking and others who have experienced rape, sexual assault, incest and childhood sexual abuse * 24 hour crisis support line - offering support/information for recent or past rape, sexual assault and abuse

Individual/group counselling and theme-based workshops for survivors * Support also available for family and friends * Outreach counselling available at several locations throughout Niagara region including Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Welland and West Lincoln

Hospital Response Workers provide accompaniment, emotional support and advocacy for victims attending the St Catharines hospital for medical care and/or Sexual Assault Evidence Kit collection (up to 7 day post assault) * Information, accompaniment and referrals to other agencies also available during police investigation and court proceedings

Volunteer Program: Contact office for more information

Public speakers available for community groups and high schools on various topics including: Sexual assault awareness and prevention * Date rape * Sexual harassment * Childhood sexual abuse prevention * Self defence

Ongoing education program: * Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Program for grades 1-6 * Youth Issues Prevention Program for grades 7-8 * Film, handouts and interactive discussions

Workshops available for professionals who come into contact with survivors of sexual assault and/or their families

Member agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario (west region)

Support individuals who have experienced abuse in intimate adult relationships in their journey towards healthy self-directed lives and respectful relationships.

A community based program funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services which provides individual and group counselling to enable women to become non-victims of physical or mental abuse. Participates in the Coalition to End Violence Against Women, which promotes and facilitates a coordinated community response to the abatement of violence against women.

* public education * intervention * treatment * follow-up * counselling * women's group

The Partner Assault Response Program in partnership with the Family Counselling Centre) * Funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General * for individuals who have been abusive to their partners and are committed to change * Individuals who are ordered by the court to attend the program in response to a criminal charge involving domestic violence * Sliding fee schedule for service

Neighbours, Friend and Families Campaign - raises awareness of the signs of woman abuse. Speakers are available, please contact the office.

Provides individualized support to youth in the community that is client led.

Services offered include:

• Individual in-person counselling by a registered social worker (ages 16-24)
• Art program
• Gardening program
• Wellness Community Connection Zoom support group (age 12-17)
• Education and employment support
• Health and wellness/life skills and hygiene
• Academic/homework help
• Navigating social services/referrals

Non-profit and charitable counselling, support and referral service for women-identified individuals experiencing addiction or affected by the addiction of another.

WARM provides individual support and support groups where people with similar shared experiences can relate to one another and receive support. WARM also offers education al tools and coping strategies to help contribute to healthy individuals, families and communities.

All WARM groups are influenced by a feminist, trauma informed, harm reduction model, utilizing tools from CBT and DBT. WARM provides the opportunity for participants to stay at home and maintain families and employment while accessing counselling and support.

Personal Support Recovery Programs: Individual Support, Women's Support Groups, Workshops, Information and Referrals, Educational Resource Sharing Library

Provide a wide range of individualized services within family settings for children with developmental disabilities.
DIRECT SERVICES: accessing community services, advocacy, case coordination, emotional support, guidance, identification of needs, planning, respite supports and direction in special services at home. Also provides Family Outcome planning, workshops, resource and information sharing.
INDIRECT SERVICES provides linkages to Assessment & Treatment services, counselling services, educational programs, parent groups, protection services, behavioural services and recreation programs.

Provides support for transgender individuals, families and friends, referrals to community resources, community awareness and education

Provides support, public education, and access to information about psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia) to consumers with mental illness, friends, relatives, and caregivers.

Support group meetings for family members / caregivers and for individuals living with psychosis.

Supports for people living with vision loss * research, public education, and vision health services * assists with building confidence, skills, and providing opportunities to fully participate in life

• peer support * groups, one-on-one mentorship, phone, or online
• home-based support (Vision Mate)
• support for students and parents (Beyond the Classroom)
• culture, recreation and sport programs
• youth empowerment programs
• advocacy groups and education

CNIB SmartLife is an interactive retail experience that gives people with disabilities hands-on access to the latest breakthroughs in assistive technologies, as well as tried-and-true favourites. The number one goal isn't necessarily to sell products; it's to give our customers the skills and confidence they need to make the most out of assistive tools that can help them lead better lives. www.cnibsmartlife.ca

COVID-19: Fully operational. No drop-ins accepted at this time. Call ahead to book an appointment.

Supports for people affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS * helps people remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible * referral to other community services

Provides:

• education through the delivery of workshops, education sessions, resources and materials, speakers, peer education services
• referral to qualified medical, dental, mental health and legal services
• crisis intervention
• support groups
• friendly visiting
• counselling services
• community outreach
• caregiver support
• supportive housing
• 24 hr, case management, 'to-your-door' home supports for community residents
• immigrant/refugee, migrant worker, newcomer assistance, families, singles, or couples
• StreetWorks-needle exchange
• Safe Injection Site
• Naloxone training
• volunteer groups providing fundraising events
• Public Health Nurse available Monday afternoons for HIV, Hep C and STI testing as well as wound care

On-site rapid HIV testing Tuesday mornings * Testing services also include Hep C, STI and pregnancy testing and teaching * Also provides wound and abscess care services * Tuesday afternoons a Hepatitis C Outreach Worker is available for education and referrals to the Hepatitis C Care Clinic

COVID-19: Groups are currently run virtually. Not all groups are run ongoing.

CHRONIC PAIN SELF MANAGEMENT: A 6 week workshop for people who live with an chronic or ongoing pain who want to learn ways to better live with their pain and improve their quality of life.

GENDER QUEST: A support group for adults in any stage of gender transition, including those questioning their gender, modeled after Sherbourne Health Centre's Gender Journeys group.

HOT TOPICS IN HEALTH: A monthly drop-in session that provides information on different Hot Topics in health as chosen by our clients. Topics could range from health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes to healthy behaviours such as sleep and mindfulness.

QUIT SMOKING GROUP: A smoking cessation program that helps people develop a personal quit plan, deal with any barriers or challenges related to quitting and access 6 months worth of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (eg. patch, gum, lozenges and inhalers). * limited access currently to COVID-19*

TAKE CHARGE! CHRONIC DISEASE SELF MANAGEMENT: A 6 week workshop for people who live with an ongoing health problem who need help identifying coping strategies, setting goals, managing stress, making healthier lifestyle choices, working with their healthcare team and living life to the fullest.

TRANS/GENDER-QUESTIONING YOUTH GROUP: A monthly social support group for gender diverse youth aged 14-19 years. Provides an opportunity to meet other trans and gender questioning youth for discussion, movies, guest speakers and snacks.

Additional groups are available to clients. For more information, call or visit.

COVID-19:

• Offering phone/virtual appointments for clients
• Offering virtual groups via phone through phone or online
• Providing limited face to face appointments for urgent matters, when deemed necessary after symptom screening

Services include:

• primary health care
• trans specific health care
• support and care for gender independent children
• assessment/referral and follow-up for gender confirming surgery
• mental health support/counseling
• outreach

Also provides groups and health promotion/community capacity initiatives such as:

• Pride Prom
• community presentations to social services, schools, and medical providers
• support to Gay Straight Alliances, PFLAG, and collaborating with various LGBTQ groups/coalitions such as Niagara's Senior Pride Network

VIrtual Trans/Gender Questioning Youth Group: a virtual social support group for gender diverse youth aged 14-19 years. Youth will have the opportunity to meet other trans and gender questioning youth for discussion, movies, guest speakers and activities.

Virtual Genderquest Support Group: for transgender/genderqueer individuals or those questioning their gender identity aged 18 and over. This group is 8 weeks and interested participants must register.

Virtual 2SLGBTQ+ Adult Drop-In: Informal chats and activities. Open to all sexual gender diverse identities. Ages 19+.

In communities across the country, the Pflag Canada network provides peer support, education and advocacy for a Canada that affirms, respects and values all sexualities, genders and gender expressions.

A non-profit and non-political association of past and present caregivers, newcomers and their supporters.

• Connect, assist, inform, educate, empower and enable members to integrate successfully into the Canadian society
• Helps members who are in need of financial assistance through fund raising activities and community donations
• Referrals for employment and settlement assistance

Young caregivers are children, youth and young adults (ages 5 to 25) who have a family member that requires care due to illness (mental, physical), disability (cognitive, physical), or addictions.

The Powerhouse program offers a variety of services and activities, including counselling, to empower young caregivers and their families to foster resilience, reduce isolation and caregiver fatigue, alleviate stress and anxiety, and invest peer support and life skills.

Self help support group for persons living with chronic non-malignant pain (pain lasting more than 6 months). A safe venue to learn information on new treatments and medications, common problems, and coping strategies.

An international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts based on peer support.

Providing advocacy and support. Dedicated to improving opportunities that promote independence, confidence and inclusion to people with down syndrome.

COVID-19: Some groups are currently not meeting while others have temporarily moved to an online platform. Click here for up-to-date meeting information.

A recovery group for alcoholics. Not aligned with any sect, denomination, organization or institution * open meeting for AA, newcomers, family and friends * closed meetings for group discussion by alcoholics * 12-step program

Self help group for individuals who have an ostomy (or for people about to have ostomy surgery). Monthly meetings include information sharing and speakers from the medical or health support fields, primarily ostomy related.

A 10 week simultaneous support group program for children and their mothers who have experienced woman abuse in their families. Groups are offered throughout the region.

Psycho-educational and support group for foster parents, adoptive parents or kinship caregivers of children who have, or are suspected of having, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Psycho-educational Groups
A 10-week program that assists in understanding and managing the needs of individual they are caring for. Provides information, resources and discussion. Includes weekly themes, educational presentation and supportive discussion.

Support Groups
Monthly follow-up to psycho-educational group in order to maintain and build on the information and skills developed. Participants have the option of coming to any or all of the ongoing support groups.

COVID-19: Office is closed to the public. All face-to-face programs have been suspended except for the in-home respite program. Referrals still accepted - see website. All intakes, counselling and social interactions continuing over telephone. Registered clients continuing to recieve any incontinence products and transportation vouchers as per usual.

Provides services for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias, and their families, including support groups, counselling and education programs * promotes Alzheimer's research and partners with MedicAlert Safely Home to provide a nationwide program designed to help identify the person who is lost and assist in a safe return home

Contact office for further information on caregiver support meetings * offers a Speakers Bureau

A long term care home licensed by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care with 24-hour nursing care and Registered Nurse supervision.

Services available include:

• Recreation
• Crafts
• Worship services
• Hair salon
• Library
• Sitting areas
• Adult day service
• Short stays available
• Dining areas, café, food services under the supervision of a dietitian
• Transportation available for resident outings and adult day service

Support groups for family members of residents who are cognitively impaired that provide support, advocacy, educational opportunities and facilitate communications between the home and family. Family meetings held monthly. Contact Social Worker for further information.

COVID-19: Hospice, programs and services continue to be offered. In-person programs are being offered virtually and there are safety protocols for the hospice residence. The administrative office is open weekdays from 10 am-4:30 pm with limited onsite staff. Visit website for details.

Assists people and families from the time of diagnosis with a terminal illness, through to end-of-life care and bereavement. Programs and services are free of cost and support people in their homes, in the community and in the hospice residence.

Care at Home: Working with primary care providers as one team, medical, emotional and social supports help people live well, for as long as possible in their own home, while supporting caregivers.

Care at Hospice: A 10-bedroom home, providing care, compassion and dignity for people at end of life and their families.

Care in the Community:

Wellness Programs: Programs such as Day Hospice focus on helping people and caregivers live well.

Bereavement Support: Children, teenagers and adults explore their feelings of grief and loss in a safe and supportive space. Participation is not dependent on their loved one having been a Hospice Niagara client.

Education and Consultation: In partnership with the Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Consultation Program, professional palliative care education and consultation is delivered to service providers across Niagara.

Committed to empowering and maximizing the quality of life for individuals living with the effects of an acquired brain injury and their families through support, social activities, community and peer opportunities, advocacy, and information. Committed to education, awareness, and prevention of brain injury in St. Catharines and the Niagara region.