Searching for Indigenous Peoples

COVID19 - Support available by telephone, no walk-in services

• visit website for details

----- ----- ----- -----

Inclusive and collaborative approach to resolving child protection disputes

Family Group Decision Making -- brings together members of child's family, extended family and community with child protection workers and other service providers to develop plan to address concerns identified by CAS

Child Protection Mediation -- assists child protection workers, family and other significant individuals in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement to meet the child's needs and address identified protection concerns

Indigenous Approaches -- traditional methods of dispute resolution designed and delivered by and for Indigenous people and their families

• assists participants in developing a plan that meets the needs of the child, addresses identified child protection concerns, and is supported by participants and/or Indigenous community

Road 2 Resolution -- one-time meeting between family and CAS when child has been brought to a place of safety

• provides opportunity to discuss situation and develop agreed upon next steps
• available only to families working with York Region Children's Aid Society

Mentorship program in construction trades

• professional development seminars for mentors and mentees in first 2 months
• weekly calls and monthly face to face meetings between mentors and mentees
• quarterly networking and professional development opportunities
• a Mentoring Coach and Mentoring APP to maximize support and connectivity

Newcomer Pathways into Construction

• immigrants and refugees learn about and access job opportunities in aspects of construction -- professional, administrative and technical, or trades
• help to develop a 6 month career plan for each individual

Offers individuals wanting to work in the construction trades the basic requirements, certifications and preparations required to find work in the sector

• safety training certificates
• hands on experience
• wrap around supports including career advice, financial support, mentoring, networking and coaching
• 140 hours of learning and preparation; offered on full-time or part-time basis

Academic, commercial and technical, day and night, credit and general interest classes

• after school programs, child care, food programs
• adult education and services
• Alternative Schools programs
• English as a Second Language (ESL), literacy, citizenship and heritage language classes
• French immersion
• International Baccalaureate
• special education including education programs for children and youth 14-21 years with developmental disabilities
• * support services

Adult Education and Services -- academic upgrading, day schools

• Pre-Apprenticeship/Apprenticeship Programs -- hairstylist 416-394-6961
• employment services
• ESL resource centres
• Enhanced Language Training (ELT)
• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- see separate entry
• Essential Skills Upgrading (Literacy and Basic Skills, LBS)
• Learning4Life -- adult general interest courses, fee, visit tdsb.on.ca/Adult-Learners/Learn4Life for course and registration informaton or email communityprograms@tdsb.on.ca
• newcomer services
• reception centres for immigrants and refugees -- see separate entries

Alternative Schools Program -- flexible learning environments to meet student's needs, Alternative Schools List

• culturally focused schools include Africentric Alternative Elementary School 416-395-5251, First Nations School of Toronto 416-393-0555, Triangle Program LGBTQ Secondary School 416-393-8443

Metropolitan Toronto School for the Deaf -- elementary school that operates completely in American Sign Language (ASL)

Support Services -- guidance counselling

• home instruction
• interpreting services for families and schools
• psychiatry * psychology
• reading and speech correction
• social work * transportation for persons with physical disabilities
• Parenting and Family Literacy Centres, 416-394-2067
• Welcoming Communities for newcomers -- see separate entry
• youth alienation programs include advocacy, outreach to youth in community agencies and shelters
• all services may not be available in all locations

e-Learning -- www.tdsb.on.ca/elearning

• day school program
• secondary credit courses offered through the Internet
• partnership with Ministry of Education

Next-Steps Employment Centre -- also offered at Vaughan 905-851-6651, for Toronto and Mississauga locations see separate entries

For more information see branch listings

Experts in the housing programs supporting the varied and distinct housing needs of Indigenous and the North communities

• including the First Nations, Urban Indigenous, Inuit and Metis people in Canada

Counselling, institution and community services Does not provide three way calling assistance

Counselling -- individual, group and family counselling

• anger management groups and workshops
• drug and alcohol counselling
• family violence program including counselling groups for men and their partners
• financial management
• life skills
• pre-employment programs
• referrals

Partner Assault Response program -- 12 week group education and counselling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict

• victims/partners of the offender provided with support including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and information on offender's progress

Institution services

• visiting
• correspondence
• counselling and referrals
• drug awareness groups
• pre-release planning

Community services --

• advocacy
• community and public education
• Community Justice (formerly diversion) at 1000 Finch Ave W and Metro West courts
• family support services
• information on legal system and services
• pardon kits and information about pardons for criminal convictions including eligibility assessment, and help with application preparation and ordering court documents
• volunteer opportunities
• housing assistance -- see separate entries

Aboriginal EarlyON and Aboriginal Head Start programs:

• SCFLC - EarlyON Program - @scflcearlyon
• SCFLC Youth/Community Programs - @house_of_giizhik_scflc
• MALVERN EarlyON Program - @malvernaboriginalearlyon
• Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Unit (AECD)- @nativechild_earlyyears
• Mount Dennis EarlyON - @mountdennis_earlyon
• Shaawnong Aboriginal Head Start/Dundas Before & After School Care - @ncfst_early_years_central

Learning and play experiences focused on health, nutrition, physical development, Aboriginal culture and traditions, and preparation for school, capacity 16 for each session

Second-stage housing and support in context of Indigenous culture

• capacity 38 in 24 units
• maximum stay 1 year

COVID19 Shelter open, call for information

Residence and emergency shelter (capacity 18) including counselling for residents and non-residents, crisis intervention and sexual assault counselling

• Full-Moon ceremony, Sharing Circle and Healing Circle
• life skills program and cultural activities from Indigenous perspective

Transitional housing and culturally-based programming, including housing, life skills and follow-up support

• capacity 24
• multidisciplinary care team includes case manager and client care worker, Oshkabaywis (spiritual helper), traditional elders and teachers, nurse, psychiatrist

COVID19 Comprehensive, culturally safe access to testing for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and their families

Tkarōn:to Indigenous Vaccine Access

• COVID19 testing and vaccination
• flu vaccination
• Mpox vaccination (Monkeypox)
• school age immunization
• case management
• contact tracing
• outreach support
• referrals

In collaboration with Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto (SGMT), Well Living House at St Michael's Hospital, and Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health at Women's College Hospital (see separate listings)

Outreach and long-term housing assistance

Mobile Housing Outreach
Services for homeless people who request assistance obtaining housing, includes help with finding appropriate housing, aftercare resources and support to help keep clients housed

• also offered at shelters and drop-ins
• in partnership with Toronto, Streets to Homes

Aboriginal Elder Outreach Project
Elder provides teachings and ceremonies focused on Indigenous customs, values, and practices in order to improve sense of belonging as well as physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health

• works to increase client's chance of maintaining stable housing
• contact office or outreach@nameres.org for information

Abstinence-based residence and emergency shelter with emphasis on Indigenous culture, includes case management, counselling, stress management, legal information and advocacy, housing assistance

• capacity 70
• multi-disciplinary care team including traditional elders and teachers, psychiatrist, nurse
• Housing Connections (see separate listing) Community Partner

Senior's program

• outreach support to Indigenous seniors
• social safety visits and reassurance check
• congregate dining
• friendly visiting

Personal support work

• personal care
• housekeeping
• transportation
• shopping assistance

Cultural and recreational services

• emphasis on Native culture
• arts and crafts
• Ojibwa and Mohawk children and adult language classes
• gift shop
• drumming, singing, language, cooking, craft online workshops
• Native Canadian Newsletter
• Dodem Kanonhsa Cultural Facility in partnership with Inidigenous Services Canada
• women and men's circles
• teaching circles
• visiting Elder, mental health counsellor

Food services -- community lunch

Youth services -- youth program including sharing circle

Other services

• information and referral
• advocacy
• urban orientation
• meeting space for rent
• volunteer opportunities

Visit website for a list of agencies serving Indigenous communities -- programs and services vary by agency

Claims processing for the legal action, McLean et al v Canada (Federal Court File No. T-2169-16)

• recovery of compensation, recognition of and justice for harms suffered by students who attended a Federal Indian Day School or Federal Day School
• free legal advice and assistance completing claim form from Class Counsel - Gowling WLG

Trauma-informed, culturally appropriate, one-on-one assistance with filing or checking the status of claims for Federal Indian Day School Class Action, McLean et al v Canada (Federal Court File No. T-2169-16)

• connection to a personal Claims Assistant
• connection to cultural, healing and legal supports

Drop-in for youth

• outreach
• counselling and support
• transitional housing and housing support
• welfare
• employment
• legal help
• social, recreation and cultural activities

Member agency of Toronto Drop-in Network (TDIN)

Transitional housing, capacity 14

• programs include job search skills, tutoring, life skills and personal development
• maximum stay 12-18 months

Provides a certificate of exemption that allows First Nations bands, Tribal Councils and band-empowered entities to be exempt from paying the provincial tax on gasoline

Note: As of January 1, 2020, the Ontario Gas Card for individuals was discontinued. Instead, First Nation individuals use their federally issued Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card) to purchase tax-exempt gasoline on reserve.

Provides family members of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People access to confidential, culturally responsive, trauma-informed and victim-centered assistance

• Supports families by facilitating connections with culturally appropriate referrals and supports
• Facilitates the gathering of case-specific information about police investigations, coroner's reports/reviews, court proceedings or other government processes and provides information to family
• Family Information Liaison Unit (FILU) staff members are of Indigenous ancestry, knowledgeable, culturally competent and responsive to the needs of the family members they serve

Note: If you don't live near an FILU location, call the Ontario Family Information Liaison Unit toll-free to arrange for FILU staff to travel to your location

Primary health care and health promotion programs and services to the black community across the GTA as its priority population

Health centre focused on family and community health * health professionals assess and treat non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses * referrals to other local health services and personal development groups

Community-led health teams develop programs to improve the social supports and conditions that affect long-term health including diabetes education programs and sexual health clinics

Programs and services include:

• diabetes education program
• dietetic services
• counselling services
• foot care services
• Back 2 Life program
• Telemedicine
• COVID-19 Helpline, call 416-495-2593 or email covid-19en@taibuchc.ca

Services and Programs:

• Diabetes Education Programs
• Sexual Health Clinics

Prevents and investigates offences against persons and property

• apprehends offenders
• visit crime prevention resource information on website
• bicycle registration
• visit tps.ca/report for Vulnerable Person Registry or to file property, parking, traffic or supplemental reports online

Project Guide, YourChoice.to -- information on reporting sexual assault, including a searchable resource map, guide available in several languages

Collision Reporting Centres -- 113 Toryork Dr, North York, 416-808-3960, 39 Howden Rd, Scarborough, 416-808-4960

Parking Enforcement 416-808-6600 -- to report unauthorized vehicles in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities

• information on parking enforcement, private parking issues, impounded vehicles
• pay or dispute parking ticket with City of Toronto at www.toronto.ca/services-payments/tickets-fines-penalties/pay/pay-your-parking-violation

Criminal Background Checks (Clearance Letters/Vulnerable Sector Screening) -- online applications and additional information at torontopolice.on.ca/background-checks

Community Partnerships and Engagement Unit 416-808-0100, tps.on.ca/community -- programs and services for community mobilization, crime prevention and reduction

• Aboriginal Peacekeeping
• Elder Abuse
• French Services
• Graffiti Management Program
• Mental Health
• Volunteer program
• services provided by other agencies -- Victim Services Program of Toronto, Toronto Crime Stoppers (see separate entries)

Corporate Communications 416-808-7100 -- news releases, public education and media relations

Toronto Police Service Telephone Directory -- www.torontopolice.on.ca/directory

Family violence treatment and prevention

• child sexual abuse
• individual and family counselling
• programs for women in abusive relationships
• member agency of Support Services Network for Male Survivors in Ontario
• children's mental health program
• recruitment, education and support for foster and adoptive parents
• addiction and mental health case management
• early intervention/care planning
• aftercare

Partner Assault Response (PAR)

• 12 week group education and counselling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict
• victims/partners of the offender provided with support including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and information on offender's progress

Prevention and Support Programs

• family support and development
• parenting circles
• community kitchen
• clothing bank

Youth Programs

• drop-in for youth 16-24 years
• counselling and support
• transitional housing
• substance abuse prevention
• HIV prevention
• outreach
• social, recreation and cultural activities

Educational Programs -- Aboriginal EarlyON Child and Family Centre

• local lead agency for EarlyON Child and Family Centre
• education and support for families with children birth-6 years
• summer day camp and residential camp
• GED program at Native Learning Centre (83 Alexander Street, tel. 416-393-0358) and Scarborough office -- for youth 18-20 years

see branch listings for additional information

Mobility for Good -- free phones and subsidized plans to indigenous women at risk or surviving violence, in partnership with Telus

Assistance applying for social housing

• help resolving landlord/tenant disputes
• counselling, workshops and support groups of interest to Aboriginal tenants
• information and referral to general services