Waterloo Region Resources
Here 24/7
Phone: 1-844-437-3247 or 519-821-3582
Website: https://here247.ca/
24 hours a day, 7 days a week helpline for mental health, addictions, and crisis support. They will do an intake, an assessment of your needs, referrals to other agencies and programs, respond to crisis, add you to a waitlist or book an appointment for you within the region.
Kids Help Phone
Text: 686-868
Website: https://kidshelpphone.ca/
24 hours a day, 7 days a week free professional counselling, information and referrals for children and youth.
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
Phone: 519.571.0121
Email: info@sascwr.org
Website: www.sascwr.org
24 hours a day, 7 days a week support line. They offer online chat Monday-Friday 9am-8pm. They do individual and group counselling for survivors of sexual assault along with family court support, anti-human trafficking and advocacy and accompaniment.
Trans Lifeline
Phone: 877-330-6366
Website: https://translifeline.org/
24 hours a day, 7 days a week hotline and micro-grants for trans and questioning individuals by trans peers.
LGBTQ Youthline (Not a Crisis Line but a Peer Line)
Call: 1-800-268-9688
Text: 647-694-4275
Email: askus@youthline.ca
Website: https://www.youthline.ca/
Peer support for LGBTQ+ and questioning youth, phone line hours Sunday-Friday 6pm-9pm, text support Sunday-Friday 4 PM – 9:30PM, online chat support Sunday-Friday 4pm-9:30pm.
Housing Shelters
First Connect – Referral for local resources available in region based off needs. If you are new to region or shelter system please call prior to contacting shelter resources. Phone: 519- 624-9133
OneRoof Youth Services – 35 Sheldon Ave N Kitchener, ON
Phone: 519-742-2788
Email: info@oneroof.org
Street Outreach Supports:
Call or text: 519-496-8788 active weekdays between 8:30a-4:30p
Email stoutreach@oneroof.org
Website: https://www.oneroof.org/
Co-ed emergency youth shelter for youth aged 16-25 years.
Marillac Place – 109 Young St, Kitchener, ON Phone: 519-571-0722 Email:admin@marillacplace.ca
Marillac Place offers safe time-limited housing for persons with uteruses between the ages of 16 and 25 who are pregnant, who have their child(ren) in their care, or who are attempting to regain care of their child(ren). Visit website for Self-Referral Form
House of Friendship’s Shelter – 63 Charles St E, Kitchener ON Phone: 519-742-8327 ext 1 7 days a week
Website: https://www.houseoffriendship.org/how-we-help/shelter-and-supportive-housing/
Shelter and food for male identified, 25 yrs or older, available 24/7 with onsite healthcare for physical and mental well being.
YW Kitchener-Waterloo – 84 Fredrick St, Kitchener, ON
YW Emergency Shelter: 519-744-0120 *additional emergency contact information
Phone: 519-576-8856
Email: general@ywkw.ca
Website: https://ywkw.ca/
Emergency shelter at 84 Frederick Street in Downtown Kitchener emergency housing and basic needs for cis, trans women and non-binary individuals. A note for trans women and non-binary folks; rooms are shared with 2-3 other people including a shared bathroom.
Cambridge Shelter, The Bridges -26 Simcoe St, Cambridge, ON
Phone: 519-624-9305
Email: info@cambridgesheltercorp.ca
Website: https://www.cambridgesheltercorp.ca/
Emergency shelter for male identified persons 25 years of age and older
Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
24-hr support Kitchener-Waterloo (Anselma House): 519-742-5894
24-hr support Cambridge (Haven House): 519-653-2422
Email: https://wcswr.org/contact-us/
Website: https://wcswr.org/
Both shelters are for women experiencing any form of abuse in an intimate partner or familial relationship. If mothering, you may bring children that are up to the age of 18 of regardless of gender.
Drop in and Outreach Support
Cambridge Hub –
150 Main St Cambridge Hub is open 1pm-4pm Monday to Friday for individuals experiencing homelessness. Services provided are harm reduction, snacks and drinks, primary care, housing support, counselling, laundry and showers. The Sanguen Health Bus is available Mondays and Wednesdays. Agencies involved; Lutherwood, Langs, ACCKWA, CMHA, the Cambridge Self Help Food Bank and Stonehenge.
Cambridge Shelter Drop-In Centre
Phone: 519-624-9305
Email: info@cambridgesheltercorp.ca
Website: https://www.cambridgesheltercorp.ca/
8am-5pm Monday to Friday, advocacy, clothing and toiletries, crisis support, employment, haircuts, harm prevention, id clinic, laundry, mailbox centre, meal program, medical clinic, mental health support, phone and message centre and showers among other services.
Thursday mornings 8:30am community breakfast
OneRoof – 35 Sheldon Ave N, Kitchener, ON
Phone: 519-742-2788
Email: info@oneroof.org
Street Outreach Supports:
Call or text: 519-496-8788 active weekdays between 8:30a-4:30p
Email stoutreach@oneroof.org
Website: https://www.oneroof.org/
Daily programming 9am-11am & 2pm-4pm, Lunch 12pm-1:30pm, Dinner 6pm-7pm, drop in service is for youth 12-25 including, one-to-one meetings with staff for support, essential needs (meals, laundry, showers, lockers, hygiene products), computer lab, life skills training, recreation, substance abuse and prevention and therapeutic art sessions. Healthcare services on Thursdays.
Ray of Hope – 659 King St E #230, Kitchener, ON
Phone: 1-519-578-8018
Email: info@rayofhope.net
Website: https://www.rayofhope.net/
Community Centre is open Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, drop-in for laundry and showers is Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Hot meal Mon-Fri is 7-8:30pm, Sat 12-1:30pm, and Sun 4:30-6pm at 659 King St E.
Safe Haven Youth Services by Lutherwood – 41 Weber St W, Kitchener, ON
Phone: 519-749-2450
Website: https://www.lutherwood.ca/housing/safe-haven
Help with family reintegration and housing services, assistance with school and community activity attendance, food, clothing, laundry and shower facilities.
St. John’s Kitchen – 97 Victoria St N, Kitchener, ON
Phone: 519-745-8928
Email: SJK@theworkingcentre.org
Website: https://www.theworkingcentre.org/st-johns-kitchen/143
Monday-Friday 8am-2pm, warm day shelter, hot meal, clothes, toiletries, showers and laundry as well as a medical clinic.
Housing Assistance
House of Friendship
Phone: 519-742-8327 ext 1
Email: admin@houseoffriendship.org
Website: https://www.houseoffriendship.org/
Supportive housing for adults, resources for adults, children and families living on low income, emergency food hampers for individuals and families and addiction treatment.
The Working Centre
Phone: 519-743-1151 x 228
Email: housingdesk@theworkingcentre.org
Website: https://www.theworkingcentre.org/housing-working-centre/584
Information and supports for individuals on low income looking for housing.
Eviction Prevention Waterloo Region by the Social Development Centre
Phone: 519-579-3800 ext. 7 for Kitchener-Waterloo, ext. 8 for Cambridge
Email: hollee.george@waterlooregion.org for Kitchener-Waterloo & michelle.knight@waterlooregion.org for Cambridge
Website: http://www.waterlooregion.org/eviction-prevention-waterloo-region
Eviction prevention by peer-outreach supports for tenants in Waterloo Region with a focus on 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC, immigrants, refugees & low-income renter households.
Addiction and Harm Reduction Support
ACCKWA (AIDS Committee)
Phone: (519) 570-3687
Email: education@acckwa.com
Website: www.acckwa.com
ACCKWA’s Harm Reduction program offers safepoint needle syringe programs and naloxone distribution.
Sanguen Health Centre
Phone: 519-603-0223
Email: info@sanguen.com
Website: https://sanguen.com/
Mobile community health van, specialized nursing care and other support services for folks with Hep C, including individual and group counselling.
Youth Support Programs
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region
Phone: (519) 745-0180
Email: info@bbbswr.org
Website: https://waterloo.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/
One to one and group mentoring for children and youth ages 6-16.
Wilmot Youth Action Council
Phone: 519-634-9225 ext. 345
Website: https://www.wilmot.ca/en/things-to-do/Youth-action-Council.aspx#
Wilmot’s Youth Action Council (Y.A.C.) is a group of local youth volunteers (ages 14- 19) who offer other youth a chance to be involved in the community, to create and support the youth voice. Youth will learn and develop leadership skills and provide input into the programs offered to them.
Sexual Health Support
ACCKWA (AIDS Committee)
Phone: (519) 570-3687
Email: education@acckwa.com
Website: www.acckwa.com
ACCKWA distributes condoms, other barriers and lubricant for safer sex. They offer sexual health education and resources for communities of youth, women, queer and other men who have sex with men, and African Caribbean and Black folks.
Doin’ It Anonymous Text Line
Text: 519-569-9521
Email: doinit.acckwa@gmail.com
Website: www.doinit.ca
Sexual health and well being information for youth and young adults. Teachers, caregivers, guardians along with youth are all welcome to contact our text line with questions. Often answering questions relating to STI’s, relationships, identity, sex & tech, pleasure, safer sex, consent, resources and referrals.
SHORE Centre
Phone: 519-743-9360
Email: info@shorecentre.ca
Website: www.shorecentre.ca
Education and clinic services for sexual health options, abortion, birth control and pregnancy services. SHORE options supports are available to people of any gender.
YSHAG (Youth Sexual Health Action Group)
Phone: 519-570-3687
Email: yshag.wr@gmail.com
Website: FacebookTwitter
Youth group that strives to create safer spaces that foster an open dialogue about relationships and sexual health for diverse youth in Waterloo Region. Weekly meetings and projects.
Black, Indigenous & People of Colour Support
ACB Network
Phone: 519-465-4020
Email: info@acbnetworkwr.com
Website: https://acbnetworkwr.com/
The ACB Network is a coalition of the Black-African diaspora who are working to strengthen the voices of the ACB peoples in the community.
BASE at UW
Socials: @uw_base
Email: uwbase.club@gmail.com
Website: http://base.uwaterloo.ca/
Black association for student expression, offers peer mentorship, community outreach and promotion of diversity and cultural enlightenment at the University of Waterloo.
Be-Dah-Bin Gamik, a Place of New Beginnings
Phone: 519-748-5220 x2470
Email: crestoule@conestogac.on.ca
Website: https://www.conestogac.on.ca/aboriginal-services
Be-Dah-Bin Gamik provides services for Aboriginal students at Conestoga College, including those who are First Nations (status and non-status), Métis and Inuit. Provides ongoing student support.
Black Lives Matter Waterloo Region Chapter
Facebook
Email: info@blmwr.ca
Website: https://www.blmwr.ca/
Black Lives Matter – Waterloo Region is the local chapter of the international Black Lives Matter movement, working to advance Black liberation as part of an ongoing historic global struggle for Black freedom.
The Healing of the 7 Generations
Phone: 519-570-9118
Email: https://healingofthesevengenerations.ca/contact/
Website: https://healingofthesevengenerations.ca/
Works with individuals suffering from intergenerational effects of the residential school system or face barriers when trying to access the supports you need on your healing journey. First Peoples from all ages, genders, and cultural groups, including First Nations, Métis, Inuit and non-Status individuals and families are welcomed.
Indigenous Student Association (University of Waterloo )
Email: indig.uw@gmail.com
Website: https://uwaterloo.ca/stpauls/waterloo-indigenous-student-centre/indigenous-student-association
The Indigenous Student Association (ISA) is a student run collective that supports the needs and interests of Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students on campus. Social outings, cultural workshops, celebrating heritage and promoting awareness of Indigenous issues on campus.
Indigenous Student Centre (University of Waterloo)
Website: https://uwaterloo.ca/stpauls/waterloo-indigenous-student-centre
They facilitate the sharing of Indigenous knowledge and provide culturally relevant information and support services for all members of the University of Waterloo community, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, and faculty.
Indigenous Student Association (Wilfred Laurier University)
Email: wluwaterloo.isa@gmail.com
Website: https://students.wlu.ca/student-life/indigenous-student-services/assets/resources/indigenous-student-association.html
ISA serves to provide students with academic and personal support throughout their undergraduate degree as well as creating a place to come together and celebrate Indigenous heritage while also educating the general public.
Let’s Talk – Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre
Phone: (519) 745-2531
Email: letstalk@kwmulticultural.ca
Website: https://kwmulticultural.ca/lets-talk
A program for newcomer youth focused on education and career guidance.
Muslim Social Services Kitchener Waterloo
Phone: 519-772-4399 ext. 2707
Email: info@muslimsocialserviceskw.org
Website: https://muslimsocialserviceskw.org/
Young newcomers will be empowered and encouraged to pursue post-secondary education and work opportunities. Refugee and newcomer support for adults, children and youth.
Nadjiwan Kaandossiwin Gamik, Wilfrid Laurier University, Indigenous Student Services
Phone: 519-884-1970 x4897
Email: edaniel@wlu.ca
Website: https://students.wlu.ca/student-life/indigenous-student-services/services/index.html
Indigenous Student Centres have space to study, hangout with friends or work through cultural programming.
QTPOC KW
Email: qtpoc.kw@gmail.com
Website: https://www.facebook.com/QTPOC-KW-930748673793249/
QTPOC KW hosts monthly events for people who identify as LGBTQI+ and BIPOC with the goal of building and nurturing a more resilient community.
Solidarity Alliance
Email: solidarityalliancekw@gmail.com.
Website: https://yourwrrc.ca/rcc/solidarity-alliance/
The Solidarity Alliance is a working group of agencies and individuals with a focus on making services for LGBTQ+ newcomers in Waterloo Region more accessible and better informed. The Solidarity Alliance is a sub-committee of the Rainbow Community Council.
White Owl Native Ancestry Association
Phone: 519-772-4399 ext. 2798
Email: Info@wonaa.ca
Website: https://www.wonaa.ca/
Services offered include; individual, couple and family counseling, land based teachings and programs, outreach programs to connect families to services, healers brought in (due to partnership with Guelph Community Health Centre).
Sex Worker Support
Sex Workers’ Action Network of Waterloo Region (SWAN)
Email: swanwaterlooregion1@gmail.com
Website: https://swanwaterloo.ca/
Information and supports for sex workers in Waterloo Region, resources, drop in program, and bad date reports.
Maggie’s Toronto
Phone: 416-964-0150
Email: info@maggiesto.org
Website: https://www.maggiesto.org/Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project supports local sex workers through legal advocacy, political organizing, peer support and education. They offer supports for sex workers across Southern Ontario.
LGBTQ2S+ Support
Conestoga College LGBTQ+ Club
Email: lgbtq2conestoga@gmail.com
Website: https://conestogastudents.com/2018/09/25/lgbtq-club/
Social club for students.
Glow Centre – The Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity at University of Waterloo
Phone: 519-888-4567 x38569
Email: glow@glow.feds.ca
Website: https://feds.ca/feds-services/glow-centre-sexual-and-gender-diversity
Run entirely by dedicated student volunteers, it offers a wide variety of discussion groups, social events, advocacy opportunities, awareness campaigns, resources, and information.
LGBTQ Youthline
Text: 647-694-4275
Email: askus@youthline.ca
Website: https://www.youthline.ca/
Peer Support, events, and resources compilation for the entire province of Ontario’s 2SLGBTQ+ community.
PFLAG Waterloo/Wellington/Perth
Phone: 1-888-822-9494
Email: waterloo@pflagcanada.ca Facebook
Website: https://pflagcanada.ca/
PFLAG Canada supports, educates and provides resources to anyone with questions or concerns supporting LGBTQ folks. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The local group meets monthly at SPECTRUM.
Rainbow Camp
Phone: 888-909-2234
Email: info@welcomefriend.ca
Website: https://www.welcomefriend.ca/camp/
A one-week camp for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and allied (LGBTAQ) youth, their siblings and children and queer families.
Solidarity Alliance
Email: solidarityalliancekw@gmail.com.
Website: https://yourwrrc.ca/rcc/solidarity-alliance/
The Solidarity Alliance is a working group of agencies and individuals with a focus on making services for LGBTQ+ newcomers in Waterloo Region more accessible and better informed. The Solidarity Alliance is a sub-committee of the Rainbow Community Council.
SPECTRUM
Phone: 226-779-9695
Email: info@ourspectrum.com
Website: http://www.ourspectrum.com/
SPECTRUM is Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space with a variety of programs and services to offer.
Ten Oaks Project
Phone: 613-889-1537
Email: http://www.tenoaksproject.org/contact-us/
Website: http://www.tenoaksproject.org/
Ten Oaks Project is a one-week, sleep-away camp in Ontario for children and youth ages 8-17. Our camp community is for the children of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer) and/or non-traditional families, youth who are themselves LGBTQ, and their allies.
tri-Pride
Website: https://tri-pride.ca/
tri-Pride is the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer) Pride Festival celebration in Cambridge, Kitchener & Waterloo, Ontario.
WRRC – Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition
Twitter @yourwrrc or Facebook@WRRC.Info
Website: https://yourwrrc.ca/
Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition (WRRC) is a volunteer-based community association that acts as a central hub for the local Rainbow community. WRRC brings together various stakeholders from across the Region. Our emphasis is on building partnerships and working collaboratively to meet the needs of the Rainbow community.
The WNDG – The WNDG – originally the Wednesday Night Discussion Group
Contact form: http://www.mentedge.ca/wndg-contact
Website: http://www.mentedge.ca/wndg
The WNDG provides an excellent opportunity to meet and socialize with a wider cross-section of the local rainbow community and its allies and meets at locations throughout Kitchener-Waterloo.
Wilfred Laurier University, Rainbow Centre
Phone: 519-884-0710 x3010
Email: rainbow@wlu.ca
Website: https://students.wlu.ca/student-life/diversity-and-equity/lgbtq-associations.html
Offers a safer space on WLU campus, run by and for LGBTQ2S+ students. Also runs programming such as trans allyship workshops, clothing swaps, etc.
Mental Health Support
Bliss Counselling
Phone: 226-647-6000
Email: info@blisscounselling.ca
Website: https://bliss-therapy.org/
Bliss is a private practice psychotherapy and counselling service that offers individual, relationship, grief and sex therapy along with workshops. Specifically Karen Grierson is our contact there for supporting trans folks.
Calming Tree Counselling
Phone: 519-208-2256
Email: Contact form here
Website: https://calmingtreecounselling.ca/
Counselling for individual, relationships, and children along with grief counselling is available. Junior counsellor rates for low-income, specific student rate as well.
Carizon
Phone: 519-743-6333
Email: info@carizon.ca
Website: https://www.carizon.ca/
Provides individual, group and children’s counselling. Offers free walk-in Tuesdays online and additional sliding scale opportunities.
Cultivate Counselling
Phone: 548-483-5512
Email: cultivatecounsellingkw@gmail.com
Website: https://www.cultivatecounselling.ca/
Individual counselling specializing in managing life transitions, sexual orientation, gender identity including medical transition and surgical assessment letters. Couples counselling is available.
The Delton Glebe Counselling Centre
Phone: 519-884-3305
Email: glebecentre@wlu.ca
Website: https://www.glebecounselling.ca/
Provides professional therapists from psychotherapists, social workers and social service workers or are supervised graduate students working towards becoming a member of either of those professional colleges. Offers reduced rate for working with a practicum student.
Family Counselling Centre of Cambridge & North Dumfries
Phone: 519-621-5090
Website: https://fcccnd.com/
Offers counselling and groups for mental health through social workers, art therapists and registered marriage and family therapists. Partners with community associations to bring counselling services to the client’s neighborhoods. Provides walk-in counselling on a sliding fee scale.
Hope for Families
Phone: 519-513-9216
Email: holly@hopeforfamilies.net
Website: https://www.hopeforfamilies.net/
Psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families and groups. Sliding scale therapy rates available through training master’s students.
KW Counselling Services
Phone: 519-884-0000
Email: ok2bme@kwcounselling.com
Website: www.ok2bme.ca
KW Counselling Services is a multi-service agency that has been offering individual, couples and family counselling to the community since 1950. OK2BME is a LGBTQ youth project of KW Counselling Services. They offer free walk-in Thursdays online at KW Counselling and all OK2BEME programming and counselling is free of cost for individuals aged 5-29.
Lutherwood
Phone: 519-749-2932
Email: https://www.lutherwood.ca/contact
Website: https://www.lutherwood.ca/
Lutherwood provides a range of services to assist children, youth and their families coping with mental health challenges. Providing residential treatment and assessment services, family crisis and prevention counselling, and community and school-based interventions.
Wilmot Family Resource Centre
Phone: 519-662-2731
Email: reva@wilmotfamilyresourcecentre.ca
Website: https://wilmotfamilyresourcecentre.wordpress.com/
Offers free, ongoing, confidential counselling from counsellors in training for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Other programs include employment and financial services, family violence prevention, food bank, parenting and family support.
Health Services
ACCKWA Healthcare Hub
Phone: 519-570-3687
Website: https://www.acckwa.com/healthcare-hub/
Primary care from a nurse practitioner for those without a primary physician or aren’t comfortable with theirs’s, Thursdays 10am – 1pm, health cards are not mandatory.
Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre
Phone: 519-745-4404
Email: mail@kdchc.org
Website: https://kdchc.org/
Primary care from physicians, nurse practitioners and registered nurses, diagnosis, treatment, education, referral and follow-up on health issues.
Langs Community Health Centre
Phone: 519-653-1470
Email: info@langs.org
Website: https://www.langs.org/
Community health centre, with supports for food, diabetes and wellness programs.
Radius Child & Youth Services
Phone: 1-855-744-9001
Email: info@radiuschild-youthservices.ca
Website: https://radiuscys.ca/
Ontario wide specialized community-based clinical assessment and counselling services for children, adolescents and families affected by sexually abusive behaviours.