Community Partners
Big Brother Big Sisters Halton and Hamilton
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) recognizes that many children and youth in Canada struggle with societal barriers and face adversities, putting them at risk of not having the opportunity to live up to their full potential. Comprised of 108 member agencies servicing more than 1,100 communities across the country, together they mobilize over 21,300 volunteers who in turn mentor 41,700+ children and young people, aiding in developing healthy young people better able to deal with and overcome life’s adversities.
Halton Region
Through its Community Safety and Well Being Plan, Halton Region works with agencies serving residents at-risk of, or, experiencing homelessness through an integrated and coordinated approach. Known locally as Coordinated Access, the Homelessness Action Table brings together more than twenty agencies offering emergency shelter, transitional housing, supportive housing and support services for vulnerable populations. Halton Region also participated as a partner in the first Community Ideas Factory CCIF led by Dr.’s Michael McNamara and Sara Cumming.
Bridging the Gap
For over 15 years, Bridging the Gap has provided a strength-based and youth-centered support service to individuals between the ages of 16-24 who are homeless or at high risk of homelessness. They are the coordinated access point for youth across Halton Region and, in 2020, provided support to over 550 youth.
Children’s Aid Society (Halton)
The Halton Children’s Aid Society (Halton CAS) provides community-based services in Burlington, Halton Hills (Acton/Georgetown), Milton and Oakville. Halton CAS is a vital part of the communities we serve as one of many community supports to improve information sharing, reinforce collaboration and lessen
the fear and stigma of child welfare.
Food for Life
Since 1995, Food for Life has been the leading charity that rescues and redistributes GOOD surplus food in Halton and Hamilton. In 2021 they recovered five million pounds of GOOD food. This food was shared with more than 3000 households each week, and with a network of charitable partners. Food for Life is proud to partner with Sheridan College on research initiatives and projects that enhance life skills and help people improve their lives.
Halton Multicultural Council – Connections
For over 40 years, the Halton Multicultural Council (HMC Connections) has been providing essential newcomer services to the Halton community and its increasingly diverse residents. HMC provides settlement, language programs, employment support, transitional housing, and community connections. They serve more than 6,000 individuals annually and work with many vulnerable client populations such as refugees, racialized immigrants, people in poverty, youth and seniors.
Halton Women’s Place
Halton Women’s Place provides a safe haven, education, information and support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. They offer transitional support and housing, as well as court support. The Transitional Housing Program consists of short-term transitional housing units to support and empower women in achieving their short- and long-term goals as they journey towards a life free from violence.
Kerr Street Mission
Kerr Street Mission (KSM) provides care and a community of support to those in Oakville that are struggling and in need. They are committed to helping families by providing for basic needs and connecting them to services and programs that can help them get to a healthier situation. They are also committed to helping children and youth with programs that encourage development and positive relationships. In 2020, KSM served approx. 2000 Oakville residents.
During the pandemic, many more people have come to Kerr Street Mission seeking assistance and it is through the generous community support, that neighbours in need can be served and supported.
Oakville Community Foundation
The Oakville Community Foundation is a local charitable solutions provider, delivering the tools to realize your charitable passions. The Foundation acts as a philanthropic medium, investing donations to generate new money for our community. We conduct local research to provide our diverse donors with knowledge and solutions to make an impact in the local community, both today and in the future. Thanks to the visionaries in our community who started The Foundation more than 25 years ago, The Foundation has granted more than $56 million to support charities locally and beyond.
Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre (OPNC)
Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre (OPNC) is a welcoming community, supporting each other through diverse programs and resources to build friendships, strengthen children, and create healthy neighbourhoods. They offer programming and collaborate with other Halton based charities to relieve poverty, provide education, support and recreational & social opportunities. OPNC believes in supporting the whole community together, regardless of income level, age or background.
Peterborough Housing Corporation
Peterborough Housing Corporation (PHC) is a Community Housing Corporation that is committed to creating and sustaining quality properties that residents are proud to call home. Among supporting senior, single, and family residents, PHC is one of the affiliates that offer a Homeward Bound program, which aims to break the cycle of poverty.
SAVIS
SAVIS stands for Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton and is a not-for-profit organization that offers free and confidential supports and services to survivors. Many clients come to SAVIS with different histories of trauma and circumstances. As committed partners of this project, SAVIS understands the importance of being able to provide clients with necessary life skills to encourage new beginnings and self-sufficient, involved members of the community.
Shifra Homes
Shifra Homes’ mission is to provide a safe haven for young, homeless, pregnant women. This includes providing an environment that promotes dignity while empowering the young women to be successful mothers and community members through fostering hope and optimism. It is Shifra’s goal to ensure that these young women are given the resources, training, support, and rehabilitation to strive towards a bright future for mother and child.
United Way Halton Hamilton
United Way Halton & Hamilton (UWHH) is committed to leading measurable, impactful change by identifying the most challenging issues in community, and bringing together people and resources to address them. We connect volunteers with local needs, and offer training and operational support to local charities. UWHH conducts research and works with key stakeholders to generate support for the not-for-profit sector. Dollars raised are invested back into community. Last year, UWHH helped 205,311 local residents, who relied on 106 United Way-supported programs. Outside of government, United Way is the largest funder of social service programs and initiatives in Canada.
YMCA of Oakville
The YMCA of Oakville is a charity that strengthens the community. They strive to design and implement programs and services that meet the needs of everyone in the community by being at the forefront of positive change in the health and well-being of the community. Their charitable work focuses on ensuring that everyone has the ability to participate in their life changing YMCA programs, despite barriers, including financial circumstances.
WoodGreen Community Services
With a rich history spanning more than 80 years, WoodGreen is one of the largest social service agencies in Toronto with 36 locations and serving 37,000 people each year. Their programs include supports for; seniors with issues of isolation and dementia, homeless individuals and families get off the streets to find safe and affordable housing, struggling, mother-led families gain economic stabilities, and other vulnerable populations gain essential supports.
This is only a short list of the supports and services WoodGreen provides to the community, as they do so much more!