COVID-19 Resources - Family Service Toronto

Updated June 1, 2020

Family Service Toronto Services

Family Service Toronto is providing essential services by phone and online.

If you are a current client, please contact your counsellor. Call 1-416-595-9618 if you are new to FST or don’t know how to contact your counsellor.

Visit www.familyservicetoronto.org regularly to learn more about new FST services to be made available during the pandemic.

Services available in Toronto

Many other organizations are providing support. This list is regularly updated and vetted by staff at Family Service Toronto.

Government Information – COVID-19 Updates
211 – Centralized Resource for Services
Crisis Support Services for Mental Health
Services for Victims and Survivors of Violence
Services for LGBTQI2S+ Community
Services for Seniors and Caregivers
Services for individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families, friends and communities
Services for Children and Youth
Other Mental Health Services
Basic Needs Supports
Free Mental Health Online Learning
Free Sites for Fun and Learning

Government Information – COVID-19 Updates

211 – Centralized Resource for Services

211 Helpline
211 is a helpline and online database of available community and social services. 211 can provide you with information about financial assistance, mental health support, employment support, childcare, housing, food, clothing and shelter. Find help at 211central.ca or call/chat/text/email 2-1-1.

Phone Number: Dial 2-1-1 or TEXT 21166
Toronto Website: https://www.211toronto.ca/
Ontario Website: https://211ontario.ca/ or https://www.211oncovid19.ca/

Crisis Support Services for Mental Health

Gerstein Crisis Center

Provides crisis intervention to adults (16+) experiencing mental health crisis. Services are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The Center is also offering online support groups and workshops during COVID-19.
Website: http://gersteincentre.org/
Phone Number: 1-416-929-5200

Toronto Distress Center

The 408-HELP (4357) line provides callers with emotional support and crisis intervention when they are socially isolated, marginalized, struggling with chronic mental health problems, in distress, attempting to navigate family violence or in need of emergency response or suicide prevention + intervention + postvention. Services are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.torontodistresscentre.com/
Phone Number: 1-416-408-4357 or TEXT 45645

Mental Health Helpline (ConnexOntario)

Provides free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness and/or gambling. Services are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.connexontario.ca/
Phone Number: 1-866-531-2600

Kids Help Phone

Professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led support to young people in both English and French. Services are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week via text, phone, or online through live chat. Additional resources are also available on their website.
Website: https://kidshelpphone.ca/
Phone Number: 1-800-668-6868 or TEXT 686868

Website: https://ca.portal.gs/

Toronto Seniors Helpline

A single point of access for seniors and caregivers to receive information and access to community, home, and crisis services including meals on wheels and supportive counselling over the phone for seniors and caregivers.
Website: https://torontoseniorshelpline.ca
Phone Number: 1-416-217-2077
If it is an emergency, please call 9-1-1

Services for Victims and Survivors of Violence

Assaulted Women’s Helpline

Centralized access system for victims and survivors of physical, sexual, emotional, or financial abuse to find emergency shelter and housing, health care, legal services, emotional support, counselling, system navigation services, and accompaniment services for interviews or appointments. Intervention and prevention services often focus on abuse in the home or workplace, sexual assault, violent crime, or human trafficking.
Phone Number: 416-863-0511 or toll free at 1-866-863-0511

The Schlifer Clinic

This clinic offers legal, counselling and interpretation services to marginalized populations of women who have survived violence. Our experienced lawyers, counsellors and interpreters have years of training, come from a range of backgrounds, and have helped women from many diverse communities in many kinds of situations.
Website: https://schliferclinic.com/
Phone Number: 416-323-9149 ext. 234

Seniors Safety Line (SSL)

The SSL provides contact and referral information for local agencies across the province that can assist in cases of elder abuse. Trained counsellors also provide safety planning and supportive counseling for older adults who are being abused or at-risk of abuse. Family members and service providers can also call for information about community services.
Website: http://www.eapon.ca/what-is-elder-abuse/help-for-seniors/
Phone Number: 1-866-299-1011

Services for LGBTQI2S+ Community

The 519

The 519 building is currently closed to the public and regular programming has been postponed in accordance with the City’s decision, but they are continuing to provide some essential services to support their communities and the neighbourhood in this time of crisis. Visit their website for an update on the services they are providing at this time.
Website: https://www.the519.org/news/covid19-the519-info-updates
Phone Number: 416-392-6874

Trans Lifeline Hotline

This hotline is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers. Our operators are located all over the U.S. and Canada, and are all trans-identified. If you are in crisis or just need someone to talk to, even if it’s just about whether or not you’re trans, please call us. We will do our best to support you and provide you resources.
Website: https://www.translifeline.org/hotline
Phone Number: 1-877-330-6366

LGBT youthline

Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support through our telephone, text and chat services.
Website: https://www.youthline.ca/
Phone Number: 1-647-694-4275 or toll free at 1-800-268-9688 or TEXT 647-694-4275

The Studio at Skylark

The Studio is an inclusive, youth-driven centre for 12 to 21-year olds that openly celebrates LGBTQ+ youth and youth of colour while working with diverse youth from across Toronto.
Website: https://www.skylarkyouth.org/for-youth/the-studio/
Facebook page: The Studio at Skylark
Instagram: @StudioAtSkylark

Services for individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families, friends and communities

Autism Ontario

List of Resources to help individuals through COVID-19
Website: https://www.autismontario.com/list-resources-help-us-through-covid-19

Services for Seniors and Caregivers

Toronto Seniors Helpline

Seniors Safety Line (SSL)

Friendly Neighbour Hotline

A single phone number for seniors living in low-income housing in Toronto can call to connect to a network of volunteers throughout the city who can help with picking up groceries and household essentials during this difficult time.
Website: http://uhnopenlab.ca/project/hotline/
Phone Number: 1-855-581-9580

Dancing with Parkinson’s (DWP)

DWP has recently started to offer free live dance classes through Zoom seven days a week for all seniors.

Website to sign up and get Zoom Meeting link: https://www.dancingwithparkinsons.com/online-class-registration

Services for Children and Youth

Kids Help Phone

What’s up walk-in

Immediate mental health counselling for children, youth, young adults and their families, and families with infants is available at this clinic.
Website: https://www.whatsupwalkin.ca/

Mindyourmind

Exists in the space where mental health, wellness, engagement and technology meet. We work with community partners and young people aged 14 to 29 to co-create interactive tools and innovative resources to build capacity and resilience.
Website: https://mindyourmind.ca/

Jack.org

Resource hub developed in partnership between Jack.org, School Mental Health Ontario, and Kids Help Phone for youth across Canada. The website provides education, tools, support and reliable information on youth mental health and COVID-19.
Website: https://jack.org/COVID

Other Mental Health Services

Canadian Mental Health Association of Toronto

Visit their website to learn more about mental health services available in the GTA. CMHA also has a list of resources to protect your health, safety and well-being during COVID-19 as well as free at home activities.
Website: CAMH Toronto COVID-19
Twitter: @CMHAToronto

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

Mental health and COVID-19: Tips, coping strategies and resources to manage your mental health during the pandemic
Website: http://www.camh.ca/

BounceBack

Free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). It is designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry.
Website: https://bouncebackontario.ca/

Wellness Together Canada Mental Health and Substance Use Support

Free online resources, tools, apps and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals when needed. Click the ‘Get Started’ button below to create an account and answer a series of questions to guide you in choosing from a variety of tools and resources to get you back on track.
Website: https://ca.portal.gs/

WellCan by Morneau Chapell

WellCan offers free well-being resources to help Canadians develop coping strategies and build resilience to help deal with uncertainty, mental health and substance abuse concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Website: https://www.wellcan.ca/

Basic Needs Supports

Access to a Physician

Cover Health virtual walk-in clinic

Free online medical support including prescriptions, refills requests, referrals, medical forms and COVID-19 assessment. Same-day appointments available.

Website: https://cover.health/

Accessing Healthcare in Toronto

If you do not have health coverage (OHIP or IFH) during the COVID-19 outbreak – Document with a list of resources and services available.

Shoppers Drug Mart ‘Consult with a Doctor online’ program

This program connects individuals virtually to a physician for diagnosing minor ailments and to provide prescriptions for those who are unable to get access to a physician. The service allows Canadians to connect with a physician using a smart phone, tablet or computer. Consultations can be done through an app or website, by text, video or audio chat.
Website: Consult a Doctor Online

Directory of Free Tax Clinics (Government of Canada)

Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, community organizations host free tax clinics where volunteers file tax returns for eligible people. The Government of Canada provides a directory of free clinics available.

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/community-volunteer-income-tax-program.html

The 519 Tax Clinic

Virtual support for LGBTQ2S Communities and Downtown East Residents.

Website: https://www.the519.org/programs/tax-clinic

Housing

Toronto Tenant Hotline

Provides answers to specific questions about your rights or options under the law (we are unable to provide legal advice). Visit their website for regular updates and information for tenants during COVID-19.
Website: https://www.torontotenants.org/
Phone Number: 416-921-9494

Toronto Central Shelter Intake Phone line

Centralized access system for homeless individuals and families requiring emergency shelter
Phone Number: 416-338-4766 or toll-free at 1-877-338-3398

City of Toronto Emergency Housing Help – Housing Stabilization Fund

Provides money for emergency housing needs to people receiving financial assistance through Ontario Works or income support through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) in the city of Toronto.

Website: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/employment-social-support/housing-support/financial-support-for-renters/housing-stabilization-fund/

Food

Grocery Stores have dedicated its first hour of shopping each day to the community’s most vulnerable, including seniors and those living with disabilities. Check in with your local grocery store to confirm these hours in your neighbourhood.

Food Banks across the GTA have been working hard to continue supporting the community. Please check your local food bank’s website or phone for updates and information on temporary hours of operations and potential closures during this time.

211 Map of Open Food Banks

An interactive map of open food banks across the GTA
Website: https://covid19.211central.ca/gta-food-banks/

Friendly Neighbour Hotline

A single phone number for seniors living in low-income housing in Toronto can call and connect to a network of volunteers throughout the city who can help with picking up groceries and household essentials during this difficult time.
Website: http://uhnopenlab.ca/project/hotline/
Phone Number: 1-855-581-9580

Canadian Red Cross

This service delivers food to persons who are unable to access a food bank due to a permanent or temporary disability.
Website: Canadian Red Cross Mobile Food Bank
Toronto Branch Phone Number: 416-236-3180

Food Hampers

The city of Toronto in partnership with the Red Cross is providing food hampers to individuals over 70 and those in need in Toronto. Food is delivered to people’s home. This service is available for qualifying seniors and others that are in self-isolation and do not have alternative access to food through family, friends, or other food delivery services, and are not receiving assistance from another community food program. Individuals can access this program by phone.
Phone Number: 1-833-204-9952

Financial Support

Visit municipal, provincial and federal government websites for the latest updates on financial supports available to individuals, families and children during this time.

Government of Canada – find financial help during COVID-19
Website: https://covid-benefits.alpha.canada.ca/en/start

Free Mental Health Online Learning

University of Toronto Mind Control: Managing Your Mental Health During COVID-19

The intent of this course is to give you a deeper understanding of the anxiety reaction as it relates to various aspects of our current life, ranging from our consumption of news to the way we talk to our children about this. I will also give you clear strategies for managing and, in fact, turning off the anxiety response at least for short periods. My sincere hope is that you will leave this course with a better understanding of how your brain reacts to crises, along with some powerful tools for managing it before it manages you.
Website: Offered via Coursera

Yale University The Science of Well Being

In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life.
Website: Offered via Coursera

Free Sites for Fun and Learning

Government of Ontario
Learn at home Resources – Supplementary resources for elementary and secondary students to practice math and literacy skills and to learn at home.

Toronto Public Library
38 Ways to Use the Library from Home
Website: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/

CBC Kids
Website: https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/

CBC Parents
Website: https://www.cbc.ca/parents/

The Metropolitan Opera Nightly Free Opera Streams
Website: https://www.metopera.org/

Virtual Museum Tours
Website: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/streetviews

Dancing with Parkinson’s (DWP)
DWP has recently started to offer free live dance classes through Zoom seven days a week for all seniors.
Website to sign up and get Zoom Meeting link: https://www.dancingwithparkinsons.com/online-class-registration