Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario
On-site early intervention and crisis intervention

• needs assessment
• safety planning
• referrals to community services
• enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+)
Program of last resort where no other available private or public resource is available

Assistance with emergency expenses related to the incident, may include home safety, accommodation, meals, transportation, basic necessities, dependent care costs, counselling, traditional Indigenous health services, cellular phones, vision care, dental care, aids for victims with disabilities, interpretation services, crime scene cleanup, government/medical documents and funeral expenses

• additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes storage locker, tattoo removal, and treatment at a recovery facility
• no direct reimbursement made to victims for supports listed above
• financial support also available for victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime and for parents of homicide victims and spouses of homicide victims

Crisis services to support individual in crisis, and/or their caregivers/supports

• 24/7 telephone crisis line
  
• community visit by mobile crisis team may be arranged
• follow-up support, including linkage and referral to other community supports
• intake available for short term crisis and residential crisis beds
  

Mobile Crisis
In-person community visits by mobile crisis team to support individual in their preferred environment

• scheduled on first come, first served basis, Mon-Fri 7 am-7 pm
  
• client should call in the morning to request a visit that day
  
• not an emergency response program

Crisis Beds
Short-term crisis beds for individuals experiencing a crisis and in need of individualized support in a safe, supportive setting away from their present situation

Mental Health Safe Beds
Short-term residential crisis beds for individuals living with mental health concerns and in contact with the justice system

• where appropriate, safe alternative to incarceration or hospitalization

Support and community service navigation to promote spiritual, emotional and physical well-being from First Nation, Inuit and Métis cultural perspectives

• access to outreach and community mental health workers
• collaboration with health/mental health professionals and community services
• fosters traditional values and beliefs, and holistic healing

Support and Advocacy
Includes assistance with basic needs

• help to secure housing and financial supports
• life skills development
• crisis intervention, coping skills development and safety planning
• referrals and advocacy
• coordination of supports

Information and Education

• crisis prevention and management
• symptom and medication management
• mental health information and education
• system navigation

• works with clients to develop treatment goals and needs based on admission assessment
• focus on ways to increase success in academic setting
• includes counselling services

• Frontenac LIT (Oshawa)
• Watersdown LIT (Whitby)
• gender inclusive

COVID19 -- Call or visit hospital website for updates on entryway restrictions, current visitor policies and appointment cancellations


Community hospital; part of Oak Valley Health

• asthma education centre, diabetes education centre
• cardiac care
• cancer care
• diagnostic services
• emergency care, see separate listing
• labour and delivery; neonatal care; pediatrics
• palliative care
• rehabilitation, transitional and complex care
• specialty clinics

Mental Health and Addictions

• Rapid Access Addiction Medical (RAAM) Clinic, 905-841-7007 ext 322 - brief support and referral for patients not currently connected to addiction recovery resources; by appointment only on Fridays - in-person and virtual appointments available
• mental health crisis services accessed through emergency, 24 hours; Urgent Care Clinic can arrange follow-up appointments within 48 hours
• inpatient and outpatient mental health services for adults including BRIDGE Day Treatment Program
• outpatient mental health services for children and adolescents, see separate listing

Scent and latex free environment

Participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto (see separate entry), childminding and transportation assistance available, full-time or part-time classes

Settlement Services

• information and referral
• orientation, needs assessment
• supportive counselling; newcomer mental health service
• assistance in form filling
• bridging services
• employment counselling
• group information sessions; workshops and tours
• supports newcomer tenants in private rental market

Services

• Urgent Response: services to respond rapidly to a specific, urgent need to stabilize situation, prevent crisis, and reduce risk of harm to self, others and/or property
• applied behavioural analysis (ABA) and skills development for those 2-18 years
• adult day program including job readiness, independent living skills and recreation
• speech-language therapy and occupational therapy
  
• case management
• visual arts program
• healthy living program with nutrition and fitness
• summer and spring break camps

Services for Young Children

• JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation): play-based intervention teaching social communication skills to children 1-4 years
• Mobile Outreach Developmental Clinic (M-DOC): for children whose parents have concerns about their meeting developmental milestones
• school readiness and entry

Virtual programs may be available

• Emergency shelter - capacity 20
• Accompaniment, transitional support and referrals

• drop-in and group services have resumed
• appointment preferred
• masking is not mandatory but suggested for all visitors
• people who have symptoms of illness are urged to wear masks or access services online

Family Services

• intimate partner violence crisis management
• transitional housing support program
• individual and family counselling; mutual support groups
• ​family life education; parent and child drop-in
• women's gathering; recreational activities

Neighbourhood Support Services​

• supportive counselling; information and referral
• form filling including welfare and social housing applications
• support network
• interpretation; newcomer orientation
  

Older Adult Services

• senior drop in
• educational workshops; interest groups
• basic technology training
• volunteering
  

Youth Programs

• youth employment
• life skills and leadership training
• recreational activities
  

Community Development

• networking and partnership
• volunteer recruitment and training
• social justice and equity advocacy
• community outreach; community safety collaboration
• cultural and festival celebrations

Immigrant Resource Centre - multiservice centre with newcomer, job seeker and family services for all ages

Settlement Services

• needs assessment
• information, orientation and referral
• supportive counselling
• newcomer mental health services and crisis intervention
• assists with form filling
• bridging services
• workshops and tours
• support to newcomer tenants in the private rental market
• seasonal income tax clinic for low income families

Community Connections Mentorship Program

• group activities for newly arrived immigrants and refugees of all ages to help orient them to their new community and establish social and professional networks
• trained and experienced volunteer mentors assist, with focus on citizenship and civic engagement or skills and career development

Settlement and Education Partnerships in Toronto (SEPT) (Settlement Workers in Schools)

• outreach program based in elementary and secondary schools from mid-August to end of June, and in libraries and summer school programs from July to mid-August
• homework club
• multi-languages service in North York area, connecting parents and students with the schools, parent interviews with schools, parenting group sessions, settlement information sessions - contact 416-292-7510 ext 1301

Employment Support Services

• sector-specific skills training programs
• one-on-one employment counselling, career exploration and job referrals
• pre-employment skills workshops such as resume, cover letters and interview preparation
• hiring events and job fairs; self-employment and small business workshops

Employment Resource Centre

• walk-in job search centre
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone
• staff assistance available
• resource materials
• job boards, labour market information
• resume clinics, mock interviews
• workshops

Early Years Services

• EarlyON Child and Family Centre, preschool education program for children and their parents
• social and learning skills for preschool children
• parenting education
• parent-child interactive activities

Children and Youth Programs

• after school program
• summer camp
• Saturday enrichment classes
• leadership and life skills training, homework help
• employment readiness

Community Service Programs

• social, educational and recreational programs
• interest classes
• health information workshops

Volunteer Services

• training and development
• placements
• public education

Community Garden and Kitchen including

• rental of garden planters
• food skills training programs
• also facility or hall rentals

Settlement Services

• information and referral, orientation, needs assessment
• supportive counselling; newcomer mental health services
• assists with form filling,
• seasonal income tax clinic for families with low incomes
• workshops and tours, employment counselling
• supports newcomer tenants in private rental market

LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English -- upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto, see separate entry

• from Literacy to CLB 5
• full time and part time classes from Monday-Friday; evening and Saturday part time classes
• childminding and transportation assistance available

Community Connections Mentorship Program

• group activities for newly arrived immigrants of all ages to help orient them to their new community and establish social and professional networks
• Mentorship Program - trained and experienced volunteer mentors assist, with focus on citizenship and civic engagement or skills and career development
• English conversation groups

Library Settlement Partnerships

• settlement services provided at public libraries
• information and referral, orientation, needs assessment
• translation and interpretation
• supportive counselling, bridging services, information workshops
• library programs in partnership with libraries, call 416-316-3803 (Chinese); 416-707-8259 (Urdu)

Family and Seniors Programs

• client intervention and assistance, form-filling
• supportive counselling, social, educational and recreational programs
• health information and workshops

• counselling for women in an abusive relationship and for children who witness acts of violence
• safety planning for protection while in transition
• crisis intervention, advocacy, and legal referrals
• interpretation, information and referral
• assistance for stress and depression related to separation from the familial surroundings, lack of adequate finances, physical and mental health issues, and support services and housing assistance within the Greek community
• counselling to develop the life skills of self-confidence and courage, parenting guidance, encouragement for further education
• referral to counselling groups for abusive men
• preventive community education, and public awareness as to the social and criminal consequences of domestic violence

Health and mental health information and services

• psychosocial education and referral
• elder abuse information and intervention
  
• addiction counselling
• crisis intervention and trauma counselling
• concurrent disorders group for people with mental health and addictions issues
• gaming addiction group and individual counselling
• family education
• seniors social group
  
• individual advocacy
• research on Tamil's mental health issues
• community development and capacity building
• yoga and meditation

• medical assessment and treatment
• crisis intervention, counselling
• forensic documentation and evidence collection
• risk assessment, safety planning
• referral to community resources

Office open to the public Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm; for information, call 416-266-1777

___________________________________________________________________

Settlement Services for Immigrants and Refugees

• needs assessment, information and referral, advocacy, orientation, translation and interpretation, escort, assistance in finding housing
• sponsorship of refugees
• health workshops, mental health -- support groups, counselling, crisis intervention
• heritage language classes
• skills upgrading, adult literacy classes
• seniors program for mutual support and education
• youth program offering services in settlement, counselling, skills development and social events
• Homework Club with individual assistance and group work
• citizenship test preparation classes

English as a Second Language / LINC -- participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- see separate entry

• full-time day classes and part-time evening classes

Community Connections Mentorship Program

• group activities for newly arrived immigrants and refugees of all ages to help orient them to their new community and establish social and professional networks
• trained and experienced volunteer mentors assist, with focus on citizenship and civic engagement or skills and career development

Financial Literacy Project -- one month certificate course

• individual counselling and orientation sessions

Family Support and Mental Health Services - Parenting Sessions

• mental health -- support groups, counselling, crisis intervention
• Women's Circle

Food Security Program

• food package distribution to seniors, families on Mondays and Wednesdays 11 am-3 pm

Community Development

• Afghan Women's Catering Group, Afghan Sewing Circle, media and overseas projects

Childminding available for clients attending sessions

Services

• Urgent Response: services to respond rapidly to a specific, urgent need to stabilize situation, prevent crisis, and reduce risk of harm to self, others and/or property
• applied behavioural analysis (ABA) and skills development for those 2-18 years
• adult day program including job readiness, independent living skills and recreation
• speech-language therapy and occupational therapy
  
• case management
• visual arts program
• healthy living program with nutrition and fitness
• summer and spring break camps

Services for Young Children

• JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation): play-based intervention teaching social communication skills to children 1-4 years
• Mobile Outreach Developmental Clinic (M-DOC): for children whose parents have concerns about their meeting developmental milestones
• school readiness and entry

Virtual programs may be available

Medical, mental health, settlement and social support services including integrated anti-human trafficking support; research and education

Mental Health Counselling and Support
Confidential assessment, counselling, crisis intervention and support services

• individual, family and group counselling, and mutual support groups
• service coordination and referral to treatment
• contact for information on available languages

Settlement Services

• ​needs assessment
• orientation
• supportive counselling
• interpretation and translation services
• employment counselling and computer training
• peer support groups
• referrals to outside resources, including housing, social services, legal and medical help, skills training, cultural groups, and recreational programs
• assistance with documentation and completing applications

Children, Youth, and Parent Programs
Specialized settlement services for children and their families to deal with trauma and restore family functioning

• homework club, individual tutoring, education counselling, leadership development, and summer recreation programs
• workshops such as job interview skills, employment training, driver education, health and sexual health, education options
• parent supports such as counselling, school and child welfare systems navigation, assistance accessing child care and completing subsidies applications
• assistance accessing free or affordable community programs

Language and Skills Training

• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• computer classes
• citizenship preparation classes
• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto, see separate listing

Befriending Program

• community support for survivors of torture through a network of volunteer befrienders

• needs assessment, information and referral, advocacy, orientation, translation and interpretation, escort, assistance in finding housing
• sponsorship of refugees
• health workshops, mental health -- support groups, counselling, crisis intervention
• heritage language classes
• skills upgrading, adult literacy classes
• seniors program for mutual support and education
• youth program offering services in settlement, counselling, skills development and social events

• 3 or 4 day job search techniques workshops, covering labour market information, access to trades and professions, resume preparation, networking
• extensive individual assistance

• group activities for newly arrived immigrants and refugees of all ages to help orient them to their new community and establish social and professional networks
• trained and experienced volunteer mentors assist, with focus on citizenship and civic engagement or skills and career development

• Afghan Women's Catering Group, Afghan Sewing Circle, media and overseas projects

Community health centre

• family physicians, medical clinics and nursing care
• home visits by nurses
• dietitians and nutrition counselling
• diabetes education program
• 24-hour medical hot-line
• immunization
• childbirth preparation support and post-natal support
• chronic illness -- meetings, community workshops and health coaching

Community Health Promotion Services

• health promotion workshops
• peer-facilitated HIV-AIDS education
• volunteer opportunities

HIV/AIDS program

• awareness and prevention -- prevention program, community workshops, discussion and support groups, harm reduction kits
• case management -- accompaniment, intervention and support