Organizations Supporting Immigrants, Visible Minorities, and Indigenous Peoples
People can find assistance from organizations and service providers.
A starting place is 211 Ontario, an organization that helps people navigate the complex network of human services quickly and easily, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 150 languages.
211 connects people to the right information and services, strengthens Canada’s health and human services, and helps Canadians to become more engaged with their communities.
Additionally, services are offered by the organizations and service providers listed below:
Support & Relief Resources
Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs)
Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs) provide different types of health and social support services to First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. They provide care both on- and off-reserve, in cities, and in rural and northern communities. Services include mental health counselling, traditional healing and addiction programs, and youth empowerment.
Across Boundaries
Across Boundaries provides a dynamic range of mental health support and services and works within anti-racism/anti-black racism and anti-oppression frameworks. These frameworks address the negative impact of racism and discrimination on mental health and well-being.
Afghan Women’s Organization (AWO)
Afghan Women’s Organization (AWO) provides settlement services to all newcomers, with a special focus on women, their families, refugees and people who have experienced war and persecution. The AWO has welcomed newcomers from around the world, including Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa, assisting them in the first stages of their settlement process.
Black Health Alliance
Black Health Alliance is a community-led registered charity working to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada.
Black Legal Action Centre
Black Legal Action Centre is a non-profit community legal clinic that provides free legal services for low- or no-income Black residents of Ontario.
Black & Multicultural Youth Helpline & Services
Black & Multicultural Youth Helpline & Services is more than a “helpline,” serving all youth as the point of contact for calls to professional services from youth, families, school districts and a variety of youth serving stakeholders. Service in French and other languages available upon request.
Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health
Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health is an umbrella organization that unites mental health care providers and advocates across the country. Among its members are professional organizations of psychiatrists, counselling psychologists, nurses and social workers, as well as societies dedicated to helping people with specific disorders.
Connecting Communities
Connecting Communities is funded by the Law Foundation of Ontario to improve access to legal information and services for those who don’t speak English or French or who live in rural and remote communities.
Federation of Black Canadians
Federation of Black Canadians is a national, non-profit organization driven by organizations across the country that advance the social, political, cultural, and economic interests of Canadians of African descent. Federation of Black Canadians focuses on community building, higher education, health, economic security, reducing racism, and criminal justice reform.
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line is an immediate, culturally competent telephone counselling, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is available in English, French and upon request in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.
Phone: 1.855.242.3310
Focus for Ethnic Women
Focus for Ethnic Women aims to enhance the participation of immigrant and visible minority women in Canadian society, through innovative and collaborative efforts among the board, staff, participants, funders and community partners.
Good2Talk
Good2Talk offers free, professional and confidential counselling support for post-secondary students in Ontario.
Phone: 1.866.925.5454
Harriet’s Youth Support Line
Harriet’s Youth Support Line offers one-on-one counselling and culturally responsive supports for youth due to COVID-19.
24hr Crisis Response Line: 416.712.0844
info@tubmancommunity.org
The Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC)
The Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) offers human rights legal services to individuals throughout Ontario who have experienced discrimination contrary to Ontario’s Human Rights Code. Services include legal assistance in filing applications at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO), and legal representation at mediations and hearings.
Indigenous Friendship Centres
There are 28 Indigenous Friendship Centres in towns and cities across Ontario that offer various health and social services. Examples of their services include:
- The Children’s Mental Health Project, which has programs at five Friendship Centres in Ontario for children aged 7–15 and their families
- The Children Who Witness Violence Program for children aged 7–14
To find an Indigenous Friendship Centre, go to the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres site and click on Friendship Centres.
Islamophobia Hotline
Islamophobia Hotline offers free, confidential legal advice if you feel that you have been discriminated against, harassed, or faced violence because you are Muslim or are perceived to be Muslim.
Phone: 604-343-3828
LGBT Youthline
LGBT Youthline offers confidential and non-judgmental peer support through telephone, text and chat services for lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, queer and questioning young people. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30 PM.
Phone: 1.800.268.9688 or Text: 647.694.4275
Muslim Students Association (MSA)
Muslim Students Association (MSA) seeks to promote the beliefs and teachings of Islam through the study of the Holy Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammed. MSA also provides a platform for all Muslims to come together and practice their beliefs while disseminating correct information about Islam to the non-Muslim community.
Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration
Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration identifies gaps and barriers to accessing support services by Muslims impacted by domestic violence, and seeks to fill some of these gaps by engaging both Muslim community leaders and service providers. The Centre currently provides counselling, carries out collaboration with mainstream services, and promotes public awareness and training for service providers.
Naseeha Muslim Youth Helpline
Naseeha Muslim Youth Helpline offers free, confidential, anonymous assistance for youth that identify as Muslim. Monday to Friday from 6:oo PM – 9:00 PM
National Council of Canadian Muslims
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization that protects Canadian human rights and civil liberties, challenges discrimination and Islamophobia, builds mutual understanding, and advocates for the public concerns of Canadian Muslims.
National Residential School Crisis Line
National Residential School Crisis Line provides support to former students of residential schools.
Phone: 1.866.925.4419
Native Youth Resource Center (NCFST)
The Native Youth Resource Center (NCFST) provides support and advocacy in the areas of housing, education and employment for Aboriginal youth ages sixteen to twenty-four.
Phone: 416.969.8510 ext. 4119
New Youth
New Youth is a website for newcomer youth in Ontario. If you’re new to Ontario or just need information about your settlement, this site has all the information you need.
Ontario Native Women’s Association
Ontario Native Women’s Association offers a variety of programs for Indigenous girls and women and their families in Ontario.
Rivers of Hope
Rivers of Hope provides a toolkit for Muslim women survivors of Islamophobic violence. The toolkit was written by Sidrah Ahmad-Chan, with the goal of summarizing and distributing the results of her Master’s research project on Islamophobic violence against Muslim women. Although the toolkit was originally designed for Muslim women, it has something to offer for anyone who is affected by Islamophobia or racism.
Refugee HealthLine
Call the Refugee HealthLine at 1.866.286.4770 for free, to register for help in being connected with a health service provider who can assist with initial medical assessments and referral to other health services. This is not an emergency or crisis line.
Settlement.org
Settlement.org helps new Canadians to access services and information. Includes resources in a variety of languages.
South West Local Health Integration Network
South West Local Health Integration Network works with people of all ages to ensure they can make informed choices about their care, when and where they need it. They also offer useful information about local community support service agencies, and can link people to these providers to arrange services.
Phone: 1.800.811.5146
Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre
Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centres are innovative, Aboriginal specific, Indigenous informed health care agencies. They provide a combination of health and social services to First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, including:
- Traditional Healing
- Primary Health Care
- Health promotion services
- Cultural programs
- Community development initiatives
- Social support services
Phone: 1.877.454.0753
Email: info@soahac.on.ca
Talk4Healing
Talk4Healing is a culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Ontario. This helpline offers 24/7 help, support, and resources to Indigenous women, by Indigenous women. Their services are fully grounded in Indigenous culture, wisdom and tradition and are available in the following languages:
- Oji-Cree
- Cree
- Algonquin
- Inuktitut
- Mohawk
- Oneida
- Odawa
- Potawatomi
- Micmac
- Black Foot
- Anishinaabe
- Moose Cree
- Swampy Cree
- English
Call 1.855.554.HEAL and live support will be there to listen, any time of day.
Simply send Talk4Healing a message to receive support anywhere.
Click on our live chat option on their website and start your session to begin your path to healing.
Togetherall
Togetherall is a digital mental health support service available online, 24/7. It is completely anonymous so you can express yourself freely and openly. Professionally trained Wall Guides monitor the community to ensure the safety and anonymity of all members.
Za-geh-do-win Information Clearinghouse
Za-geh-do-win Information Clearinghouse publishes The Key: Aboriginal Mental Health Services/Support Directory. An up-to-date version can be ordered for free by calling the Clearinghouse, or you can download a PDF of an earlier version on their website, under Our Library.
Phone: 1.800.669.2538
The 519
The 519 offers mental health, housing & newcomer services. Services are available by phone & online.
How Can We Help?
Huron County Immigration Partnership is always excited to support newcomers to Huron County. Let us know how we can help!
Find Us
57 Napier Street,
Goderich, ON, N7A 1W2
Canada
Phone
+1 (519) 524-8394 ext.6