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David Kelley Services (DKS) Program is named after the late David Kelley, one of the founders of the Toronto Counselling Centre for Lesbians and Gays (TCCLG). The program was established in 1996 after TCCLG merged with Family Service Toronto.

We are committed to trauma-informed, anti-oppression practices to help empower LGBTQ+ individuals, couples and families, as well as people living with, affected by or concerned about HIV/AIDS, and to enhance participation in their communities and in the broader society.

Family Service Toronto also has Single Session Walk-in Counselling

If you are in crisis, contact:

  • Assaulted Women’s Helpline – 1 866 863 0511; TTY 1 866 863 0511 #SAFE; By text (#7233) On your Bell, Rogers, Fido, or Telus mobile phone; online chat at awhl.org/online-chat
  • Distress Centre Toronto – 416 408 4357; Text 45645
  • Gerstein Crisis Centre – 416 929 5200
  • call 211 for Toronto Community Crisis Service in Toronto
  • Kid’s Help Phone – 1 800 668 6868; Text CONNECT to 686868
  • Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse – 1 866 887 0015
  • Seniors Safety Line – 1 866 299 1011; awhl-org/online-chat
  • 211 Ontario by calling 211 or visiting https://211ontario.ca

For more information about DKS, contact Service Access Unit at  416-595-9618 or [email protected]

FST Pride 2025 Statement

Rooted in Service, Rising in Solidarity

As Pride Month arrives, we honour the powerful legacy of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals who have long stood at the forefront of justice, resilience, and community care. At Family Service Toronto, we believe that true community care begins with equity, inclusion, and the celebration of every identity – and that commitment is more critical than ever in today’s climate.

In 2025, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights are under growing threat – not only abroad but here in Canada. We are seeing rising incidents of hate, well-funded campaigns targeting trans and queer communities, and regressive efforts to limit inclusive education, especially in schools. Anti-trans protests and disinformation have created increasingly hostile environments, particularly for young people. Against this backdrop, Pride is not just a celebration – it’s a necessary act of resistance.

This Pride Month, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to uplifting 2SLGBTQIA+ voices – not just in June, but every single day. We recognize that Pride was born from protest, from courageous acts of defiance led by trans women of colour and other queer pioneers. That spirit of collective resistance remains vital as we push for dignity, safety, and liberation for all 2SLGBTQIA+ people across Canada. We also shine light on the common humanity – the collective human longing for love, acceptance, and the freedom to be ourselves. These universal desires unite us and drive us to stand against discrimination and injustice.

At Family Service Toronto, we are actively centering the needs of the queer community in the following ways:

  • Expanding 2SLGBTQIA+-inclusive services, including affirming mental health counselling for adults and seniors, refugee group support, and peer support programs for 2STNB+ youth.
  • Training our staff and students in cultural humility and 2SLGBTQIA+ competency, ensuring that our spaces are welcoming, informed, and trauma-aware.
  • Partnering with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and advocates to amplify voices from within the community, and to align our programming with their leadership.
  • Creating intentional spaces for healing and joy, from youth groups to Pride events, where 2SLGBTQIA+ people can gather safely, unapologetically, and proudly.

We also ask our broader community to reflect on these guiding values:

  • Visibility with Purpose – How can we ensure our advocacy and support shine a light on those still fighting to be seen and heard?
  • Service through Solidarity – Are we showing up in ways that centre the needs and voices of 2SLGBTQIA+ people, especially the most marginalized?
  • Pride in Action – How do we turn celebration into tangible change – through volunteering, policy advocacy, inclusive programming, and intentional listening?

Let Pride be more than a moment. Let it be a sustained movement—a promise we carry forward through acts of compassion, bold allyship, and enduring commitment to justice. Together, let’s serve, uplift, and celebrate—loudly, proudly, and with purpose.

Join us Wednesday, June 11th from 3 to 6 p.m. at 353 Church Street for our Community Pride: Craft Lounge Event co-hosted with Hard Feelings. Drop by for an afternoon of creativity, including button-making, friendship bracelets, card writing, and collaging. Let’s come together as a community and as allies to honor our unique identities and collective strength. Snacks and art supplies provided. This is a free and accessible drop-in event — no registration required.

Learn more here: Community Pride Craft Lounge

Family Service Toronto also has Single Session Walk-in Counselling

HIV/AIDS Community Counselling Program

The David Kelley HIV/AIDS Counselling Program provides professional counselling and support services to people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Our services include goal-focused short to medium-term professional counselling to individuals, couples and families on issues such as loss, relationships, self-esteem, planning for healthy living, changing health status, and self-care.

We offer support groups as needed; referrals to other support services (financial, housing, treatment information, home care, etc.); advocacy on behalf of our clients.

For appointments, please contact the Service Access Unit at: 416.595.9618; [email protected]

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer (LGBTQ+) Counselling Program

The David Kelley Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer (LGBTQ+) Counselling Program provides professional, short-term, individual, couple and family counselling to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer.

Our counselling helps people who are facing a broad range of issues such as coming out, sexual orientation and gender identity, isolation, discrimination, relationship issues, parenting, transitioning, self-esteem and violence. We recognize the diversity that exists within the community of people who identify as LGBTQ+. While everyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ experiences discrimination based on sexual orientation, many LGBTQ+ individuals face other forms of discrimination as well; sometimes from within the community itself. This is particular true for trans and two spirited people. Our programs/services reflect awareness that additional factors such as race, class, age and ability influence the way that individuals experience their sexual orientation and gender identity.

2STNB+ Connect Peer Support Group

David Kelley Services program offers 2STNB+ Connect – a virtual peer support group which welcomes youth (age 16-29) across the gender identity spectrum to meet and connect with others in their community, explore their identities, and create meaningful relationships. The group provides a friendly and non-judgemental space for 2STNB+ youth at all different stages on their gender journey to socialize and discuss a wide range of issues; from social and medical transition, to family, to school, as well as to share interests.

Groups are ongoing on a bi-weekly basis. For group information and registration go to Family Service Toronto Workshops, Groups and Events page.

Partner Assault Response (PAR) services for court

The David Kelley program also provides Partner Assault Response (PAR) services for court- and probation-mandated individuals charged with assault to a same-sex partner. This service has been adapted to address the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ communities. It is offered in collaboration with Family Service Toronto’s Next Steps / Partner Abuse Response Program. Service is arranged through referral to Service Access Unit by probation or by the courts through the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto.

Counselling for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse

David Kelley offers counselling for male survivors of sexual abuse (age 16+) who seek support to deal with the impact of unwanted sexual experiences, whether recent or from years ago. 

Our current workshops and groups are available on Workshops, Groups and Events page, David Kelley Services section.

Crisis lines

  • Distress Centre Of Greater Toronto: it provides 24-hour telephone support, 365 days a year. Phone: 416 408-HELP (4357)
  • Gerstein Crisis Center: The crisis services include 24/7 telephone support, in-person mobile crisis team, community support referrals, substance use crisis management, follow-up, and access to short-term crisis beds. Phone: 419-929-5200
  • 211: A helpline that easily connects people to the social services, programs and community supports they need. Also, people can receive information about community and resources.
  • Trans Lifeline: a hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people. Phone (877) 330-6366
  • The Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 416-863-0511 (GTA), 1-866-863-0511 (Toll Free), 1-866-863-7868 (Toll Free TTY), #7233 (#Safe)
  • Victim Services Toronto: It provides immediate, confidential support for any person who has experienced crime or sudden tragedy 24/7. Phone: 416 -808- 7066

HIV Legal Resources:

Newcomers:

Youth

  • LGBT Youth Line: a toll-free Ontario-wide peer-support phone line for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, queer and questioning young people. Sunday to Friday 4 to 9:30 pm
    Phone: 416 962 2232, Toll Free: 1-888-687-9688 – Text: 647-694-4275
  • Central Youth Toronto Services (CYTS): it offers individual and group counselling for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning youth, community counseling age 12-17 and transitional age 16-24.
    Phone: 416-924-2100
  • Supporting Our Youth (SOY): a community development program designed to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered youth in Toronto. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email.
  • Friends of Ruby: a welcoming space for 2SLGBTQIA. Phone: 416-359-0237
  • Lumenous: reach out program is a creative, inclusive, and accessible program for 2SLGBTQ+ youth providing family and individual counselling in the Greater Toronto Area. Phone: 416-222-1153 
  • Tobby’s Place: Toby’s Place is a weekly drop-in program for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, folks questioning their gender and/or sexuality, and friends and allies, 20-years-old and under.
  • Black Queer Youth Collective
  • Woodgreen’s Youth Wellness Centre

Parenting

  • The LGBTQ Parenting Network: it’s a program of Sherbourne Health Centre in Toronto, supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer parenting through training, research, resource development and community organizing. Phone: 416-324-4100
  • PFLAG

LGBTQ Support

Drug & Alcohol dependency:

HIV/AIDS & Sexual Health

HIV/AIDS Centres

    Programs and Services

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    Programmes en Français
    Appointments and Frequently Asked Questions
    Campaign 2000
    Caring for Caregivers
    Counselling
    DKS LGBTQ+ Counselling HIV/AIDS
    Families in Transition
    Growing Up Healthy Downtown
    Healthy Families. Healthy Communities
    Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
    Options – Adults
    Options – Children
    Partner Assault Response
    Partner Contact
    Passport
    PassportONE
    Pat’s Place
    Person Directed Planning
    Seniors and Caregivers
    Seniors Community Connections
    Social Action
    Transitional and Housing Support
    Violence Against Women
    Single Session Walk-In Counselling