COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND SERVICES
By: Farheen Khan, Get Well Clinic
It is without a doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on our daily lives. As we’ve continuously adapted to novel changes and restrictions, many of us have been faced with additional challenges. Below is a list of remote and in-person services that may help alleviate some of the stressors that you may be facing during these unprecedented times.
GENERAL SEARCH FOR COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND SOCIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE NEAR YOU
- Website: https://211central.ca/
- Phone Number: 2-1-1
COVID-19 RESPONSE: LIST OF FUNDED PROGRAMS
- United Way Greater Toronto – a non-profit organization – has compiled a list of community programs and agencies that have been funded by the Local Love Fund, their emergency fund initiative, to support vulnerable populations across the GTA. Under each agency/program/initiative, you will find further details on the type of support that is being provided.
- Website: https://www.unitedwaygt.org/covid-19-response-programs
NORTH YORK COMMUNITY HOUSE
- This neighbourhood centre provides North York immigrants and residents with charitable services and programs (e.g., Online Citizenship Preparation Program, Online Yoga Classes for Seniors, etc.)
- Website: https://www.nych.ca/
- Website to North York Community House’s COVID-19 Resources:
- https://www.nych.ca/covid19-resources
- Website to North York Community House’s Food and Groceries Resources:
- https://www.nych.ca/covid-19-food
FOOD BANKS AND GROCERIES PROGRAMS
- Daily Bread Food Bank:
Use this interactive tool to find food banks supported by Daily Bread near you. You will also find the necessary application processes to register as a new client of the Daily Bread Food Bank network.
Website: https://www.dailybread.ca/need-food/programs-by-location/
FINANCIAL COUNSELLING:
- Credit Canada’s COVID-19 Financial Resource Centre:
Find trusted information regarding various financial situations that individuals have been experiencing throughout this pandemic. From webinars, guides, and blogs, you’ll find lots of great resources about debt and money management.
Website: https://www.creditcanada.com/covid-19-resources
Phone Number: 416-228-3328 OR Toll Free: 1-800-267-272
COVID-19 SUPPORT SERVICES LISTED BY THE CITY OF TORONTO
- For Income Support
- For Seniors and Vulnerable People:
- For Tenants & Property Owners:
- For Pet Owners:
- Advice for Specific Needs (e.g., pregnancy, alcohol and drug use, routine immunization, etc.)
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
- Kids Help Phone:
This free, national service provides access to confidential and professional counselling, 24/7, in English and French. This service is geared towards youth aged 5 to 29.
Phone Number: 1-800-668-6868
- Crisis Text Line:
This text line provides individuals of all ages with free support, information, and resources via text conversations with trained crisis counsellors during moments of crisis. This service is available 24/7 in English and French.
Text HOME to 686868 OR message through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CrisisTextLinepoweredbyKidsHelpPhone
- Gerstein Crisis Centre:
Gerstein Crisis Centre provides a multitude of free and confidential crisis services and programs related to mental health or substance-abuse to adults (16+) in the City of Toronto. Services are available 24/7, in English only. *Mobile Crisis Teams are currently bound by a catchment area spanning from Victoria Park to Jane, and from Lakeshore to Eglinton. The Mobile Team can provide in-person services and discuss short crisis stays as well*
Phone Number: 416-929-5200
Website: https://gersteincentre.org/
- Bounce Back:
A self-help program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association for youth and adults (15+) experiencing mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, stress, etc. This evidence-based program is free of charge.
Website: https://bounceback.cmha.ca/
- Additional Mental Health resources provided by the City of Toronto:
PROGRAM IF YOU’RE FEELING LONELY
- Progress Place Warm Line:
A confidential and anonymous peer support line available for adults (18+) from noon to midnight, 7 days a week. Through this support line, individuals can connect with a peer support worker via chatting, texting, or phone when feeling lonely, anxious, or depressed. *This is not a crisis line*
Phone Number: 416-323-3721 (12PM-8PM) OR 416-960-9276 (8PM-12AM)
TEXT: 647-557-5882
CHAT through Website: http://www.warmline.ca/
- Neighbour Link North York:
North York neighbours helping neighbours.
Website: https://www.neighbourlink.org/
ABUSE AND ASSAULT
- Assaulted Women’s Hotline:
A free, confidential, anonymous helpline that provides several services including counselling, emotional support, and safety planning in over 200 languages. The helpline is available 24/7.
Phone Number: 1-866-728-3431
*For service in French, contact Fem’aide at 1-877-336-2433*
Website: https://www.awhl.org/
- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape:
A women- and non-binary-run initiative that provides free counselling, support, education, and advocacy 24/7 to survivors (women and children) of sexual violence.
24-hour Crisis Line: 416-597-8808
Website: https://trccmwar.ca/
- Seniors Safety Line:
This safety line connects seniors in abusive or at-risk situations with counsellors for support and safety planning. The line also provides contact information for local agencies and community services available across Ontario to assist in cases of elder abuse.
Phone Number: 1-866-299-1011
Website: http://www.eapon.ca/
LGBTQ SERVICES
- Trans Lifeline Hotline:
This 24/7 peer support phone service is run by trans volunteers to support trans and questioning peers. The hotline also provides callers with a multitude of community-based support and resources to ensure their well-being.
Phone Number: 1-877-330-6366
Website: https://www.translifeline.org/hotline
- LGBT Youth Line:
A confidential and non-judgmental peer support service available via texting, chatting and email conversations. This support service is available Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30PM. *The telephone HelpLine is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic*
TEXT 647-694-4275 OR EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CHAT through Website: https://www.youthline.ca/
HelpLine: 1-800-268-9688
FOR SENIORS
- Seniors Safety Line:
This safety line connects seniors in abusive or at-risk situations with counsellors for support and safety planning. The line also provides contact information for local agencies and community services available across Ontario to assist in cases of elder abuse.
Phone Number: 1-866-299-1011
Website: http://www.eapon.ca/
- Friendly Neighbour Hotline:
This hotline is available Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM, and can be used by vulnerable seniors in low-income housing in Toronto to ask volunteers to deliver groceries and other essential items. No delivery fees required, and individuals can ask for up to 8 items. This hotline is available in 180 languages.
Phone Number: 1-855-581-9580
Website: http://uhnopenlab.ca/project/hotline/
- Community Services for Various Language Groups
https://sinaigeriatrics.ca/resource-category/diversity-and-ageing/
