Poverty Awareness in York Region

Poverty Help Links - Access Links for York Region Ontario Canada

Operation Sparrow for low income families in Newmarket and Aurora - Join your kids into karate, theatre school, other physical/cultural activities /possible transportation to/from. 905-716-1447

York Region Winter warmth programs - having trouble paying gas ? They will cover you! - www.enbridge.com/winterwarmth

Neighbourhood Network - Connecting organizations with volunteers - http://www.neighbourhoodnetwork.org/

Newmarket Connection Community Information & Volunteer Centre

Newmarket Connections is located in the Newmarket Public Library.Newmarket Connections has up-to-date information on a wide variety of local groups and services, including: Counselling & Support Services,Childcare, Health Services, Job Search Guides, Education, Information for Newcomers, Seniors Services, Sports Clubs, Drug or Alcohol Rehab, Government Services,Transportation, Recreation Clubs, Hobby Clubs, Literacy Programs & Language Training, Women’s & Men’s Groups, Youth Groups, Theatre, Service Clubs. Newmarket Connections offers you an opportunity to talk one-on-one with a Volunteer Services Coordinator about prospects in the community that fit with your interests. Ask one of our representatives for an application, fill it out and we will contact you. High school students are encouraged to register with Newmarket Connections to help them fulfill their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) community involvement requirements. Contact us at 905-953-5110, ext. 4700.

Other Poverty Resources
The library has also just launched a new program called Pathfinders:Connections to Employment and Resources.The website is www.newmarketpl.ca/pathfinders.

Pathfinders is a central access point to direct people to the resources and services offered by community-based not-for-profit organizations that will help them with employment transitions, job searches, skills upgrading and career networking opportunities. Contact Pathfinders by calling Newmarket Connections Community Information & Volunteer Centre at the Newmarket Public Library, 905-953-5110, ext. 4700.

Food Access Programs and Services

This listing provides an overview of food access programs and services in York Region. Please note that hours and days of operation may change, so please phone ahead. The information is current as of April 2005. For up-to-date information and/or directions, please call the phone number listed.

Health Connection 1-800-361-5653

Public health nurses, dietitians and inspectors with York Region Health Services provide counselling on health issues. Provides a central access point to link to other health services.

Helpmate Community Info and Volunteer Bureau 905-884-3000 or 1-800-363-2412

Information and volunteer bureau provide region-wide information on community resources such as housing, counselling, education and health care.

YorkLink http://www.york.ca/ (YorkLink icon located at top of web page)

This online and hard-copy directory connects York Region residents with over 700 community service providers and government agencies in the Region.

York Region Food Network
905-967-0428 or 1-800-454-9736
http://www.yrfn.ca/

A charitable organization that works to improve food security and access to affordable healthy food for York Region residents. Initiatives include community gardens, community kitchens, regional food drive coordination, public education programs, awareness campaigns and volunteer and referral services.

Youth Food Programs
Food 4 Thought…
Stone Soup Supper Club (Youth Recreation Centre)
905-953-5120
56 Charles St
Newmarket

A supper club for youth who want to learn about cooking and meal planning. Youth enjoy a sit-down meal that they have helped prepare. The program is held on Tuesday nights from 4-6 pm.

York Region Youth Shelter
905-830-0121
835 Gorham St
Newmarket

An emergency shelter for homeless young men, ages 16-25. Assistance with housing, referrals and counselling is available. Meals are provided to all residents.


York Region- Street Outreach Van
Markham, Woodbridge, Aurora, Newmarket Richmond Hill, & Sutton
1-866-553-4053 or 416-274-4972 or 905-252-8933

Program designed to assist homeless, or those at risk, to find shelter, food, clothing and health care. Needle exchange is provided. The van is on the streets Monday to Thursday from 2-9 pm and on Fridays from 10 am - 4 pm.

Women’s Services
ABC All Babies Count
Keswick and Newmarket
Richmond Hill and Woodbridge, Markham
905-853-5514 or 905-856-7300 or 905-471-1620

A program for moms-to-be. Provides snacks, a small meal, groceries and grocery certificate for clients.
http://www.therose.ca/

Programs designed to meet specific needs and interests of young mothers and their infant to preschool-aged children. Provides educational and support services to clients. Food bank and donation room available for clients. Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Sandgate Women's Shelter of Georgina
905-722-3220 or 1-800-661-8294

An emergency shelter for abused women and their children. Equitable organization equipped to serve all women. Community kitchen is held for Sandgate clients. Outreach support provided though the Keswick office at 905-476-8992.

Umbrellas Program (Addiction Services for York Region)
905-841-7007 or 1-800-263-2288 Ext 322

Supports pregnant and parenting women (with child up to 6 months old) involved with alcohol and/or drugs. Offers appointments for free, confidential assessments, counselling, information, support and referrals to other community resources. Appointments available at a variety of locations. Support with food, transportation and child supervision available for clients.

Yellow Brick House
1-800-263-3247

Provides shelter, counselling and support services to abused women and their children. Services also include parenting, children's program and follow-up. Public education provided to the community on issues of violence against women.

Women’s Centre of York Region
905-727-5837

Offers individual counselling and group programs to women in transition and needing support. Also provides a program to low income women wanting to start their own business. Onsite food room and clothing exchange are available to clients.

Men's Services
Coming soon when there are any!

Shelter Programs
Transitional and Supportive Housing Services of York Region
905-898-1658 (24 Hr) 905-898-1015 (Admin)
18838 Yonge St
East Gwillimbury

Provides supportive and emergency housing services to homeless people or to people at risk of becoming homeless. Offers referrals, informal counselling and supports to enable individuals and families to resolve their immediate housing needs. Meals provided to all residents.

Out of the Cold Program
416-392-3777

A program to help homeless and isolated people during the winter months. Overnight shelter and a hot meal are provided as well as warm clothing as available. Program runs from November to April and is hosted by different religious organizations on different nights. Call for information on times, locations and potential transportation.


Meals on Wheels
Community Home Assistance To Seniors CHATS
1-877-452-4287 or 905-713-6596 Messages- ext 7021 Client Services- ext 6037

Meals are available to assist seniors to remain independent in their own homes. The average cost is under $5. Entrees, soups and desserts arrive frozen for final heating at the client's home. Meals are delivered once a week and must be ordered in advance. Special diets (health and ethnic versions) available on request.

York Region Food For Learning
905-895-4512 or 1-800-735-6625 ext 4397

Food for Learning supports breakfast, snack and lunch programs in York Region schools for students who wish to attend. Please call for program locations.

Gardening and Fresh Produce Programs
Backyard Gardening- (York Region Food Network)
905-967-0428 or 1-800-454-9736

Kits are provided with seeds and/or plants, a trowel and "how to" instructions for backyard gardening on a referral basis for low income residents.

Community Gardens (York Region Food Network)
Aurora, Markham and Newmarket
905-967-0428 or 1-800-454-9736

Small plots of land are available free to residents who want to grow their own food. Open to all gardeners.

St. Paul’s Community Garden 905-884-6915
c/o St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 10131 Bayview Ave
Richmond Hill

Hosted by St Paul’s but managed separately. Open to all gardeners. Plot availability varies and gardening fees may apply. Individuals are asked to grow one row of food for community members in need. When calling, please ask for Marg and leave daytime and evening phone numbers.

Fresh Food Partners Gleaning Program
905-895-4512 or 1-800-735-6625 ext 4339

The gleaning program allows community members living on a limited income to pick fresh vegetables and fruit at no cost. Program runs from June to November and picking times are determined by crop availability.

Housing Help Centre
http://www.housinghelpcentre.org/


York Region Street Outreach

1-866-553-4053

Prescription drug abuse information
 DrugDangers.com.

Antipoverty Advocates
P.A.C.C.www.povertyacc.com

Put Food in the Budget Campaign
 http://www.putfoodinthebudget.ca

More Poverty Aid

http://www.campaign2000.ca/

Central LHIN Stakeholders

We(LHIN) have officially launched our "Newsroom" page on our web site at: www.centrallhin.on.ca/News/newsindex.html

Add the page to your favorites and read about how health system transformation is taking place in the Central LHIN. Articles are posted throughout the week, so check often to see what's going on.

Please share this information within your organizations, and with your family and friends to help keep our community informed of progress and challenges as our health system evolves.

Your feedback is important. For ideas about initiatives or integration examples that should be profiled, questions or comments, please contact Sandi Pelly at 905-948-1872 ext 212 or sandi.pelly@lhins.on