General Resources
211 Central
Provide up-to-date, comprehensive access to information about social, community, health and government services in the GTA via online and phone information and referral specialists.
It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers multilingual phone services.
Legal Help
Center for Spanish Speaking Peoples
Funded by Legal Aid Ontario and serves members of the Spanish-speaking community in Ontario. Serving low incomers regardless of their immigration status in Canada.
2141 Jane St, North York, ON M3M 1A2, Canada
416.533.8545
[email protected]
Housing
Rent cafe
Case managers can check housing application for their client online to check the status.
RentCafe Resident Login » Pay Rent Online & Submit Maintenance Requests
Transitional housing
Short-term accommodation for those leaving emergency shelters or in need of housing during a life transition, including people with mental illness and addictions, single mothers and victims of violence.
Criteria: Must be in shelter for one year
Low Income: 30 % of person’s income.
Fred Victor: at least 12 month in the shelter.
Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing – City of TO
Low income people Canadian citizens, PR, or refugee claimant need housing. 30% of their income. Waiting list in usually more than 7 years.
Ranked in order of priority, are:
- Survivors of family/domestic abuse and human trafficking
- Tenants already living in subsidized units that need to move to a smaller unit due to changes in their household
- Terminally ill applicants who have less than two years to live
- Tenants relocating to RGI housing from supportive housing
- Applicants experiencing homelessness
Applicants who identify as Indigenous to Canada
City of Toronto Rent-Geared-to-Income Application (securerentcafesocialhousing.com)
Central intake
Emergency Shelter. 24/7
tel:4163975637
Support of daily living
Supports for older adults, and adults with disabilities & helps people remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible
ACSA
Comprehensive support to individuals and households facing housing challenges and homelessness.
COHAB
The COHB pays the difference between 30 percent of the household’s income and the average market rent in the area. You do not have to live in social housing to receive the COHB.
- Survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking
- Indigenous persons
- Persons with disabilities requiring modified units
- Households on the Centralized Waiting List with the oldest application dates
Here’s an example: If your income is $1,500 per month, 30% of this equals $450. If the average market rent in your area is $1,000, 80% of this equals $800. Subtract $800 by $450 and you will receive a COHB benefit of $350.
Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) – City of Toronto
Congregate housing
Eligibility:
- Each member of your household must be either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or a refugee claimant
- A senior who is 62 years or older or otherwise disabled and in need of assistance with daily living.
- You should also be capable of interacting with other people or living in a group.
Energy Saving Kits
Eligibitliy
- Low income earner. Based on the criteria provided and should provide notice of assessment
- Must provide evidence of paying hydro bills which is in the name of the beneficiary
- May or may not be a recipient of OW or ODSP
For more information send email to [email protected]
Website https://www.clearesult.com/
Organizations offering subsidized housing in Toronto include:
The Access Point
Those with mental illness and/or substance use issues as well as those involved with the criminal justice system
Developmental Housing Center
Those with developmental disabilities.
Bellwoods Centres for Community Living Inc
Supports for older adults, and adults with disabilities
- helps people remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible
- accessible affordable housing
CRC Self Help | Toronto – Community Based Affordable Housing
Develops and operates affordable housing for single, low income adults in shared housing settings
- assistance in obtaining resources and supports
COSTI Housing Worker:
Shahrzad Elyati
Email [email protected]
Direct 647-245-4316
The Scott Mission – Shelter
- Men’s Ministry — overnight shelter
- including breakfast, lunch and supper, clothing, counselling, support groups
- laundry and shower facilities — call for times
Mental Health
BFO TORONTO
Local charitable organization whose cause is to support a person, family or group dealing with grief from the death of a loved one.
The Teresa Group
Community-based charitable organization specifically serving children affected by HIV and AIDS and their families.
The Neighborhood Group
Covering: poverty, homelessness, mental health, unemployment, social isolation, substance abuse, conflict resolution, violence, youth alienation, and the settlement of newcomers and seniors
Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture
Mental Health Counselling and Support
416-363-1066
194 Jarvis St 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON
M5B 2B7
The Multicultural Mental Health Resource Centre
A comprehensive list of mental health resources for different cultural groups in the Greater Toronto Area. The list includes organizations that offer counseling, peer support groups, mental health workshops, and life skills training.
Unison Health
Nazanin Tadayyon (Social Worker )
Ali Pagliacolo (Mental Health Outreach Worker) is the person who is responsible for doing the intake and initial assessment at Unison if the client speaks English)
[email protected] Phone (647) 436-0385
Ali’s number: 416-645-7575 ext.2914. (Free counselling)
Unison
Sheida Bamdad
(Farsi-Speaking social worker and therapist)
540 Finch Ave West
Toronto, Ontario M2r 1N7
Phone (647) 436-0385 ext.4523
Better Life Counseling Center
Ask the client if they have IFH (only for conventional refugees) and if it’s still valid (only for one year), if they have it they can get free counselling session. (Maggie can refer them).
Address: 220 Duncan Mill Rd Suite #215, North York, ON M3B 3J5
Phone: (647) 726-2999
Bernard Betel Centre
- Provide social and recreation programs to older adults from the age of 55+ years.
- Provides services in Russian and English languages
Phone (416) 225-2112
https://betelcentre.org/
1003 Steeles Ave W, Toronto, ON M2R 3T6
Immigration and settlement
Newcomer Women’s Services
Settlement; Employment; Internal resources Canadian citizenship and English class.
Call:437-524-5920
Email: [email protected]
Settlement Counselor
Shahireh Rehman: 4162926912, Ext 302.ACSA
ECCC – Eritrean Canadian Community Centre (eccctoronto.ca)
Help with citizenship app
COSTI: Homepage
Educational, social, and employment services to help all immigrants in the Toronto area attain self-sufficiency in Canadian society.
Newcomers – University Settlement
Tax clinic ( English and Farsi)
Online Citizenship Test Preparation Classes
Fridays (May 17, 24, 31)
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Online: Zoom (Face-to-face session)
Language: Farsi
Cost: Free!
How to Register:
Email [email protected] or call (416) 218-8990 or (647) 617-6025. You will receive the Zoom meeting ID and password by email.
Food and clothing Bank
Daily Bread Food Bank
All clients must register for a client ID online or by phone at 416-230-0050 ext 1
Humanity First Canada
None perishable foods
Clients can tell them they do not have a car and H.F.C will ask their volunteer drop off the groceries when you go that way. They have to call once a month.
Address: 600 Bowes Rd, Concord, ON L4K 4A3, Phone: (416) 440-0346
Grace Food bank
1428 Kennedy Rd.
Scarborough, ON M1P 2L7
Phone: (416) 752-4100
Email: [email protected]
https://graceplacetoronto.com/
Muslim Welfare Canada
Scarborough Ontario—NOT with daily bread
Social services organization in Toronto, Ontario
Address: 100 McLevin Ave Suite 4, Scarborough, ON M1B 5K1
Phone: +1 866-754-3111
Women at Dress for Success
Interview Clothing
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdvJXQXjzZKbx7THYLYCfYB8e-3BXSq6_8ETiKyR4UDD5DeUQ/viewform
Scott Mission Clothing
Contact their manager and send her the following info
Name, DOB, Status, Email, Address, Phone
Phone: 4169238872
346 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5T 1J5, Canada
Glow Clothing Bank
Fill the form below
-for clothing and Men interview clothing call 416-422-2591 ext 200 speak with Zuhal
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6CQ8ZD6
https://newcircles.ca/
On National Zakat Foundation
Here’s info on how to refer Madison clients to NZF for financial assistance.
For referrals to NZF services, Madison caseworkers (CWs) will:
- Gather their client’s consent to submit our online application on their behalf (using your own consent form)
- Fill out our online application Apply for Zakat | National Zakat Foundation Canada | Muslim Charity Local Poverty Relief (nzfcanada.com).
- Make sure you indicate Madison Community Services under Reference(s).
- Make sure you fill out your insights on the referred case and client’s needs under How Many NZF Help You.
- Share clients’ documents with us on behalf of their clients
- Let clients know that they will be contacted by NZF CWs If Madison CW would like to be updated on their referred client’s status, the third-party authorization form must be signed by the referred client (form attached).
If you need assistance with referrals, application process, application status, etc. please contact @Suzanne, Intake Coordinator.
Addiction
Central access:
Phone: 416 864 5040 or 1 866 366 9513 Connects individuals to withdrawal management services in the GTA
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
A helpline that offers confidential and free information and referrals for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders
Career
JVS Employment
https://www.jvstoronto.org/employer-services/
Career Cycle
https://careercycles.com/mission/
Parisa Rahnema (She/Her)
Employment Counsellor
Kababayan Multicultural Centre
M: 437-999-6112 | E: [email protected]
1313 Queen St. W. Toronto | 416-532-3888 | 540 Finch Ave W. North York | 416-633-5056
Wood Green
Work Permit
Medical
Health Help Line
(855) 834-6139, a helpline that answers any medical question you may have and connects you with a nurse
IFHP
If you have been chosen to resettle in Canada as a refugee, or are eligible under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) will cover some of your pre-departure medical services. This includes
Immigration medical exams and follow-up treatment of health conditions that would make someone inadmissible to Canada.
Trillium Insurance
Drug Coverage.