Government Supports
Find our what benefits and programs are available from the municipal, provincial and federal governments.
Government of Ontario:
Find out what emergency supports are available from the provincial government here for individuals and businesses.
City of Toronto:
Visit the City’s website for a comprehensive list of social supports and economic supports for business.
A specific section on food access, including delivery options for seniors can be found here.
Government of Canada:
The federal government’s Economic Response Plan website includes information on programs and supports for individuals and business.
Mutual Aid Groups
These groups of local volunteers are connecting those who are able to help with those who need it in new and inspiring ways.
- Davenport Mutual Aid Network:
This is a space meant for mutual aid, where people can take care of each other. We are here to share information, resources, support, & create strategies for taking care of each other in the short term, as well as strengthening our community networks for the long term.
- Davenport Helps
A group gathering resources and offering support to those in need in the community, especially the immunocompromised and those with mobility issues.
- West Neighbourhood House
West Neighbourhood House is coordinating a new Mutual Aid Network in the community and they’re looking for volunteers to help provide almost any kind of help that can be done from a safe physical distance! To get involved, call (416) 532-4828, email [email protected] or visit www.westnh.org/mutualaid to learn more and sign up.
City-wide mutual aid groups:
- Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association ‘Neighbourhood Helper’
Muslim youth offering their services to help Canadians who need assistance with picking up groceries, filling prescriptions and providing overall moral support
https://www.helpingneighbours.com/ or 1.855.435.7811
- KOVAD-19: Toronto Jewish Community Response to COVID-19
A group for sharing and organizing Toronto Jewish Community resources (eg. food, babysitting, etc.) in response to COVID-19
https://www.facebook.com/groups/743607236164943/
- Care-mongering Toronto - Arts / Live Events Industry
A group, specific to arts workers, for sharing and organizing community in Toronto in response to COVID-19
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TOarts.caremongering/
Local community agencies
Local organisations providing special supports or services during COVID-19.
Abrigo Centre
The Abrigo Centre continues to provide its important counselling and support services in English and Portuguese, to youth, women, seniors and newcomers. Learn more here.
Working Women Community Centre
Working Women has compiled a list of available supports and services, available here.
Specialized Supports
Legal supports, workers rights information and more.
- Community Legal Education Ontario Steps to Justice
Provides legal information related to COVID-19, with a focus on housing, employment and family law
stepstojustice.ca/covid-19
- Pro Bono Ontario
Free legal assistance to low-income Ontarians via Free Legal Advice Hotline. Can advise on legal questions related to COVID-19 shutdown
Hours: 9:30-11:30am, and 1:00-3:30pm, Monday to Friday
Hotline: 1-855-255-7256
- Worker’s Action Centre Hotline
Providing advice for workers about their rights via phone, in numerous languages (including Spanish, Tamil, Mandarin, Somali, Turkish, Bengali, and Arabic)
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 12pm-5pm
www.workersactioncentre.org
Hotline: 416-531-0778, toll free: 1-855-531-0778
- Legal Aid Ontario
Residents can check the Legal Aid website or phone them to find their local legal clinic.
Most provide advice around tenant rights, worker rights, income assistance, and immigration,
Toll free phone: 1-800-668-8258
- Ontario COVID-19 Mental Health Network
A network of Ontario-based mental health professionals providing free mental health care to frontline workers
www.covid19therapists.com
- Chalmers Chatbot
Connects people to free services in the City of Toronto, including food, clothing, and shelter
Emergency Community Support Funds
Community-led support funds providing emergency funding to those in need.
- Canadian Artist + Musician Relief Fund
Weekly financial support for low-income GTA artists and musicians whose livelihoods are affected by COVID
Temporarily closed to new applications, accepting donations
www.artistrelieffund.org
- Actors Fund of Canada
Emergency support for anyone working in the entertainment industry
Accepting applications
www.afchelps.ca/get-help
- Format Photographer Relief Fund
Assistance of up to $500 per person to self-employed photographers facing financial hardship.
Accepting applications and donations
www.format.com/photographer-fund
- Unison Benevolent Fund
Provides emergency financial support to music industry professionals in times of crisis.
www.unisonfund.ca/services/financial-assistance
1-855-986-4766
Supports for those experiencing crisis and requiring emotional support
Distress centres and hotlines for those needed support in a crisis.
If you are in immediate danger, dial 911
- Distress Centre of Greater Toronto
24/7 emotional support and suicide prevention + intervention + postvention. Translation is available in many languages for crisis calls.
Call: 416-408-4357, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Text: 45645 between 4pm and midnight
- Kids Help Phone
24/7, national support service offering professional counselling, confidential information, referrals, and text-based support to young people
Call: 1-800-668-6969 or text CONNECT to 686868, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Gerstein Crisis Centre
24-hour community-based crisis services for adults 16+ who are dealing with mental health, concurrent, or substance use issues and are currently in crisis.
Telephone crisis line, mobile crisis team, community-based crisis beds, short term follow-up support, and referrals to other services.
Call 416-929-5200, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Translation in many languages is available.
- Assaulted Women’s Helpline
24/7 crisis counselling hotline for women facing or who have experienced abuse. Provides counselling, emotional support, information, and referrals
Crisis Line: 416-863-0511
TTY: 416-364-8762
Toll-free: 1-866-863-0511
Toll-free TTY: 1-866-7868
- Senior Safety Line (SSL)
Support 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.
1-866-299-1011
Volunteer opportunities
City-wide organisations that are looking for volunteer support.
In addition to starting or joining a neighbourhood pod or mutual aid group or network, there are many other ways to help out at this difficult time.
- Spark Ontario and Volunteer Toronto are coordinating connections between organizations that need support and volunteers available to help out (including supporting remotely). Sign up at sparkontario.ca and volunteertoronto.ca
- Canadian Blood Services are looking for donors to avoid shortages due to social distancing.
- Kids Help Phone is looking for volunteers to staff their crisis text line.
- Chinese Canadian National Council is seeking volunteers for their mutual aid program, to support immigrant workers struggling with the effects of COVID19
- UofT Moriarty Lab is looking for scientists, Senior PhD students, and Post-Doctoral Fellows to volunteer for COVID-19-related research. Also looking for those willing to fill gaps anywhere whether scientific or non-scientific.
- Toronto Bike Brigade - A group of volunteers on bikes ready to deliver supplies and friendship to vulnerable people on behalf of community organizations or individuals in need.
- This collaborative community document lists many more Toronto-based groups, initiatives, and ideas for how we can support each other in this difficult time.