General
1. 211 Ontario
211 or 1-877-330-3213 or text 211 or live chat (Monday- Friday 7 am- 9 pm)
Online database to search for community, government and/or social service information.
2. Niagara Employment Help Centre (Employment Ontario)
905-358-0021
Employment Counsellors offer one-on-one support for those looking for employment. Services may include: resume writing, job search strategies, interview tips, resource area and workshops.
3. YWCA Niagara
905-988-3528 (24/7)
Provides shelter, food and assistance to women, men, gender-diverse people & families in poverty. Services include emergency homeless shelters, transitional housing, & skills development centre.
4. Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) (NRPH)
Call Niagara Parents to complete referral (905-684-7555)
Free home-visiting program that assists expectant mothers and new parents who need more support. The number of visits and the length of each visit depends on individual needs.
Child Care
1. Child Care Registry (Niagara Region)
905-984-6900 or submit application online
Online registration system that allows parents to search and apply for all licensed childcare programs and recreational opportunities.
2. Child Care Subsidy (Niagara Region)
905-980-6000 or 1-800-263-7215 ext. 3897; Submit application online
Financial assistance that covers all or part of the costs of childcare for children up to 12 years of age in licensed programs. The amount of subsidy is based on income level and confirmation of the reason for care.
3. Children's Services (Niagara Region)
905-980-6000 or 1-888-263-7215 ext. 3897 or live chat or email
Connect with a children’s services staff member for questions about childcare and financial help.
Fathers
1. Family Counselling Centre Niagara (FACS): Caring Dads
905-937-7731 ext. 3345
A free 17-week group program. Helps fathers involved with FACS to develop meaningful and healthy relationships with their children. Topics include supporting healthy relationships and developing skills to cope with frustrating parenting situations.
2. Becoming a Father- Niagara Region Young Dads Drop-in - Niagara Region, Ontario
Financial
905-641-9230
A service that offers immediate financial help in a crisis or emergency. Available to those not in receipt of social assistance to help address issues that are detrimental to health and well-being
2. Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
905-688-3022 or apply online
Offers financial assistance to individuals living with a disability and benefits including prescription drugs, vision care and employment assistance
905-641-9230 or submit application online
A provincial social assistance program providing financial and employment assistance.
Housing
1. Bethlehem Housing and Support Services
905-641-1660
Provides affordable temporary and permanent housing and community outreach support.
905-682-9201
Assists low to moderate-income households with housing that is affordable and meets their needs.
3. Shelters and Housing Support (Niagara Region)
Local housing support programs & services.
Indigenous Support
1. De dwa da dehs nye s Aboriginal Health Centre (DAHC)
905-544-4320 or toll-free 1-877-402-4121
An Indigenous-based health clinic for those of Indigenous descent. New patients must be of Aboriginal, First Nations, Métis, or Inuit descent. Services include Cough, Cold, and Flu Assessment Clinic, Vaccine appointments, Mental Health and Addiction services (counselling and peer support), Cultural Wellness and Outreach programs, Diabetes Education programs, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Child Nutrition Program, and Intergenerational Family Circle Program.
2. Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre
905-871-8931
Provides support, programs, & services to all life cycles. Services include: Aboriginal Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC), Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP), Health Outreach, Alcohol & Drug Worker, Mental Health, Employment Training, and Academic Upgrading.
3. Inuit Child First Initiative
1-855-572-4453
Ensures Inuit children can access products, services and support.
4. Niagara Regional Native Centre
905-688-6484
Supports urban Indigenous communities. Services include Supportive Transitional Housing, Family Programs, Health Programs, Education to Employment Programs, and Indigenous Community Justice Program.
5. Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation (Niagara Health)
905-358-4320
Supports patients and their families with health care and cultural practices. Services include individualized cultural support, coordination of service, advocacy, and regular contact during hospital stays, discharge planning, referrals and linkages to community resources, access to traditional healing programs, home visits, and community follow-up
6. National Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line
1-866-925-4419 (24/7)
Provides emotional support and crisis intervention services to former students of Residential Schools.
7. Talk4 Healing (Anishinabe Women’s Crisis Home and Family Healing Agency)
Talk, Text, Chat 1-855-554-4325 (HEAL) (24/7)
Helps support and provides resources for Indigenous women all across Ontario. Offered by Indigenous women. Available in several Indigenous languages as well as English and French
Necessities of Living
1. Food Banks, Meal Programs, Emergency Food (Niagara Region)
Access Niagara Region website for a complete list of community agencies with access to food and essential help.
nobarebumsniagara@hotmail.com
Community-led Facebook group providing Niagara families in need with child care items. Tell them what you need and a staff member will confirm availability and a location to pick up.
3. “Shoulder 2 Shoulder” Shop (St. Andrews United Church)
905-356-1624
Offers new and gently used items at low cost (e.g. clothing for family, small household items, toys). Provide necessities like car seats and cribs at little or no cost (by referral only from a local agency or health care provider).
Recreation
1. ProKids
905-984-6900 or 1-800-263-7215 ext. 3797 or submit application online
Supports the participation of eligible children and youth in the sport, recreational or cultural activity of their choice
Social/Peer Support
A peer support system with a wide range of programs catered to parents. Provides ongoing practical and emotional peer based supports for new and expecting parents. Offers a mix of free and nominal fee-based programs and activities.
905-351-2822 or reachme@westviewc4w.com
A weekly drop-in program providing women with a safe and welcoming environment.
3. EarlyON Child & Family Centres
Contact individual centres for details.
Provides free, high-quality drop-in programs for children from birth to six years of age with their parents/caregivers. Offered at various EarlyON Centres across the region.
Newcomers
905-734-1141
A multi-service agency providing health and social services to French-speaking clients. Services include primary care, prenatal services, nutrition, counselling, and settlement/ legal services.
2. Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre (NFAMC)
905-685-6589
A non-profit charity that offers settlement services to newcomers. Programs include: child care, ESL classes, job search, mentorship, settlement services, skills training, and youth services.
3. Newcomer Information Centre (YMCA)
289-296-8400 (Niagara Falls) or 905-684-3500 (St. Catharine’s)
A program that helps connect newcomers to Canada to a wide range of free services related to health, employment, housing, language classes and legal services.
Young Parents
1. Healthy From the Start (Strive Niagara)
905-380-5096 or mharrietha@striveniagara.ca
Offers healthy lifestyle and nutritional information for women considered at-risk from pregnancy up to 6 weeks postpartum. Includes certificates, healthy snacks, vitamin vouchers, and cooking classes through weekly drop-in programs and access to a Registered Dietician and Public Health Nurse.
2. Learning, Earning & Parenting Program (LEAP) (Niagara Region)
Contact Ontario Works case worker to apply (for OW clients only)
Helps young parents complete their high school education, develop parenting skills that promote healthy child development, & access a range of employment & financial supports.
3. Nurse Family Partnership (NFP)
Call Niagara Parents to register at 905-684-7555
A free home visiting program to support young mothers with first-time parenting and pregnancy up until two years of child age. Eligibility: under 25 years of age, less than 28 weeks gestation at time of enrollment and first time parenting.
905-735-2566
School based outreach support for educational attainment offering personalized academic and parenting support to achieve high school credits. Trained staff knowledgeable in the areas of parenting and child development provide childcare.
905-988-1331 (Monday- Friday 9am-5pm)
Supports young parents (up to 25 years old) from pregnancy to early childhood. Services include Baby Boutique (free essential items), Young Moms Support Group (peer support), and Prenatal Classes (8-week program).
LGBTQ2+ Support
289 321 0588 (call or text)
cturner@nfchc.ca
Provides services such as problem solving, advocating for patients, removing barriers, assisting with paperwork (i.e. to change legal name), and system navigating.
2. LGBTQ2+ Support | Niagara Falls Community Health Centre (nfchc.ca)
905 688 2558 ext 0 to book an intake appointment
Provides primary health care, trans specific health care, follow up for gender confirming surgery, mental health counselling and outreach
3. LGBT Youthline Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line
647 694 4275 Text
Live chat available
Provides anonymous peer support and referrals to other organizations.
Blended Family
1. Counselling – Family Counselling Centre Niagara
Fee Subsidy Program: Provides individual, marital and family counselling sessions to address blended family issues, including separation and divorce. Appointments cost $130 per session and subsidized rates may be available.
1 800 668 6868
Free support is offered for kids, teens and young adults. Lines are open 24/7 and can speak to counsellor over phone or through live chat.
3. Home - Pathstone Mental Health
1 800 263 4944 – Crisis line open 24/7
905-684-3407
Pathstone has 10 Walk-In Clinics throughout Niagara Region. Services are free and open to children from birth to 17 years old and families with children under the age of 18.
4. Wellness Together Canada | Home
1 866 585 0445
Provides free support for mental health and substance use support for children and adults.