Sistering offers tours of our program space and visiting speakers who can talk about the lived experience of poverty and homelessness and the changes needed to assist women.
For more information visit Speakers and Agency Tours.
Resources & Links
The resources section provides links to various services and agencies that provide assistance to women in need.
More information is available on the websites listed below.
Information
Guide to Services for People who are Homeless (City of Toronto)
The City of Toronto publishes a guide to services for people who are homeless in Toronto listing a network of services provided by community agencies.
Click to read the 2008 guide.
For more information see: http://www.toronto.ca/housing/guide.htm
or contact ssha@toronto.ca or 416-397-4328.
Crisis & Emergency Information
Crisis Lines
| Centre for Addiction and Mental Health | 416-535-8501 ext 6885 (24 hours) |
| Gerstein Centre (mental health crisis) | 416-929-5200 |
| Distress Centres of Toronto | 416-408-HELP (4357) |
| Kids Help Phone | 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) |
| St. Michael's Hospital (for mental health crises) | 416-864-5346 |
| Women’s Own Withdrawal Management Centre (detox) | 416-603-1462 1-866-366-9513 (toll free) Central Access |
Shelter (general):
| Assessment and Referral Centre | 416-338-4766 (24 hours) |
| Central Family Intake (families) | 416-397-5637 |
| Street Helpline | 1-866-392-3777 (toll-free) |
| Central Family Intake (families) | 416-397-5637 |
Women’s Emergency Shelters & Hostels
| Women’s Residence | 674 Dundas Street West | |
| YWCA – First Stop Woodlawn | 80 Woodlawn Avenue East | 416-923-8454 |
| Fred Victor Centre for Women | 86 Lombard Street | 416-368-2642 |
| Savard’s – Homes First Society | 1322 Bloor Street West | 416-395-0932 |
| Salvation Army - Evangeline | 2808 Dundas Street West | 416-762-9636 |
| Salvation Army - Florence Booth | 723 Queen Street West | 416-603-9800 |
| Street Haven at the Cross Roads | 87 Pembroke Street | 416-967-6060 |
| St. Vincent De Paul - Amelie House | 126 Pape Avenue | 416-359-0636 |
| St. Vincent De Paul - Elisa House | 60 Newcastle Street | 416-259-2528 |
| St. Vincent De Paul - Mary’s Home | 70 Gerrard Street East | 416-595-1578 |
| Nellie’s | (address confidential) | 416-461-1084 |
| Fife House | (address confidential) | 416-205-9888 |
Street Outreach
Street Helpline 1-866-392-3777 (toll-free)
Victims of Violence
| Assaulted Women's Helpline | 416-863-0511 1-866-863-0511 (toll-free) |
| Toronto Rape Crisis Centre | 416-597-8808 |
| S.O.S Femmes (French Crisis Line) | 416-759-0138 |
| Women’s College Sexual Assault Care Centre | 416-323-6040 |
| Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic (counseling & legal) |
416-323-9149 |
Support Services:
Drop Ins
Drop Ins offer services, food and connections to community supports. The Toronto Drop-In Network (TDIN) is an active coalition of 45+ drop-in centres working with people who are homeless, marginally housed or socially isolated in Toronto. The Network includes drop-ins of all sizes and diverse philosophies serving women, men, youth, seniors and families. Member agencies are located throughout the City of Toronto. To find a drop in see: www.toronto.ca/housing/pdf/tdin_brochure.pdf
Women only Drop-ins are:
| Women’s Residence | 674 Dundas Street West | |
| Adelaide Resource Centre for Women | 67 Adelaide Street East | 416-392-9243 |
| Fred Victor Women’s Day Program | 67 Adelaide Street East | 416-392-9245 |
| Street Haven Drop-In | 87 Pembroke Street | 416-967-6060 |
| 416 Drop-in Centre | 416 Dundas Street East | 416-928-3334 |
Food Banks
Daily Bread Food Bank is Toronto’s leader in the fight against hunger. Daily Bread run neighbourhood food banks where people come to access food hampers, as well as meal programs where people can access prepared meals.
To access food please call 416-203-0050 and Daily Bread will refer you to the Neighbourhood Food Bank in your area. For referrals and information on other programs and income supports click here or call our Advocacy Information Line at 416-203-0050 ext. 261.
Financial eligibility - When accessing one of Daily Bread's Emergency food banks, you will undergo an income assessment interview. This assessment helps us to determine how many times per month you can access the food bank and ensures that food is fairly distributed amongst those who need it.
What you need to bring - When you visit a food bank, you will be asked information about your income, your address and your expenditures. It is important to bring:
- Identification for all family members
- Proof of income and expenditures (rent, hydro, basic phone)
- Proof of your current address
Housing Resources
Housing Connections manages the centralized waiting list for rent-geared to income (RGI) units. People who need affordable housing must apply through Housing Connections. Help with filling out the application is available from Housing Connections, or from Housing Help Centres. For applications and more information see www.housingconnections.ca or go to 176 Elm Street, Main Floor or call 416-981-6111.
The Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA) is an Ontario-based non-profit human rights organization that promotes human rights in housing and challenges discrimination. CERA works to remove the barriers that keep disadvantaged individuals and families from accessing and retaining the housing they need. For more information call 416-944-0087 OR 1-800-263-1139 or www.equalityrights.org
Health
| Sherbourne Health Centre provides unscheduled Care Clinics for homeless and underhoused people | 333 Sherbourne Street | |
| Street Health assesses and treats health complaints and makes appropriate referrals | 338 Dundas Street East | 416-921-8668 |
| Parkdale Community Health Centre provides medical drop-in hours for homeless people | 1229 Queen Street West | 416-537-2455 |
| Queen West Community Health Centre provides specialized medical services for homeless people | 168 Bathurst Street | 416-703-8480 |
Social Assistance & Income Support
Toronto Social Services delivers the Ontario Works program for youth and adults in financial need. Phone the Client Services and Information Unit 416-392-2956 or 1-888-465-4478 (toll-free) www.toronto.ca/socialservices
Ontario Disability Support Program
The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) managed and delivered by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, helps eligible people with disabilities by providing:
- Financial help. This is called Income Support and it helps people with disabilities who are in financial need pay for living expenses, like food and housing.
- Help finding a job. This is called Employment Supports and it helps people with disabilities who can and want to work prepare for and find a job.
For information call Client Services Unit 416-325-5666 or 1-888-789-4199 (toll-free)
Income Support and Advocacy Centre provides legal services and advice. The Centre works on behalf of low income communities in Ontario to address issues of income security and poverty. For more information call 416-597-5820 or 1-866-245-4072. www.incomesecurity.org