Helpful Resources For Toronto Women
One of the ways that NYWC helps Toronto women – in addition to our confidential, one-on-one support services, women’s empowerment groups and drop-in/virtual lounge – is directing them to other organizations and services that offer specialized support. Below, please find a list of some helpful resources.
If you’re not sure who to contact, reach out to us using our contact form, email info@nywc.org or call us at 416-781-0479. We're open Monday to Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. we're happy to help.
Crisis Support Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
If you need crisis support, the following Toronto-based crisis lines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
- Assaulted Women’s Helpline (a crisis line for all women who have experienced abuse) 416-863-0511
- Crisis Services Canada (If you’re thinking about suicide or worried about a friend or loved one) 1-833-456-4566
- Gerstein Crisis Centre (mental health and addiction support) 416-929-5200
- Distress Centres of Greater Toronto (crisis intervention, emotional distress, suicide prevention) 416-408-4357
- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape 416-597-1171
- Women’s College Hospital Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No appointment necessary. 416-323-6040.
- Fem’Aide (for French-speaking women struggling with gender-based violence) 1-877-336-2433
- Talk4Healing (helpline for Indigenous women) 1-855-554-4325
Emergency Shelters In Toronto
There are many agencies and shelters in the Toronto area that provide emergency accommodation.
Centralized referral for Violence Against Women shelters in Toronto is provided by the Assaulted Women’s Helpline. If you are being abused by your partner or significant other, such as someone else in your immediate family/household, and have made the decision to leave the abusive relationship, call the Assaulted Women’s Helpline at 416-863-0511 or 1-866-863-0511.
Sheltersafe can help you find a shelter by location and includes information about children’s programming, accessibility and whether pets are allowed.
The City of Toronto also provides emergency accommodation for homeless individuals and families that need emergency shelter. Call Toronto Central Intake at 416-397-5637 or dial 3-1-1 and ask them to transfer you.
Housing Assistance
Contact the following organizations if you are having trouble finding or keeping housing:
- Finding Housing – City of Toronto (find out about different housing programs) 416-285-8070
- Toronto Community Housing (provides alternative subsidized housing options) 416-981-5500
- Federation of Metro Tenants’ Association (find out about your rights as a tenant) Tenant Hotline: 416-921-9494
Community Services
Find out about resources for women and families through the following organizations and services:
- 211 Ontario (connects people to the right information and services) Call 2-1-1 or email 211update@findhelp.ca
- Family Services Toronto (helps people face a wide variety of life challenges) 416-595-0242
- Rexdale Women's Centre (counselling, settlement services, employment) 416-745-0062,
- Times Change Women’s Employment Service 416-927-1900
- Working Women Community Centre (counselling, settlement services) 416-532-2824
Health Organizations
Contact the organizations below if you need health care for you or your loved ones. If you need help accessing primary health care and other health services such as counselling or parenting support, you can also contact the Community Health Centre (CHC) in your neighbourhood. They can help connect you with doctors, nurse practitioners, social workers and more. Services are available even to people who do not have health insurance (OHIP). Which CHC you should go to depends on where you live. To find a CHC near you, visit the Ontario Community Health Centres page or call the ServiceOntario INFOLine at 416-314-5518 or 1-866-532-3161.
- Health & Wellness – City of Toronto (find out about health programs, advice and clinics)
- Women’s Health In Women’s Hands (provides primary healthcare to racialized women from the African, Black, Caribbean, Latin American and South Asian communities in Toronto and surrounding municipalities) 416-593-7655
- Jean Tweed Centre (for women with substance abuse, mental health and/or gambling issues, including parenting support) 416-255-7359
- Planned Parenthood Toronto (pro-choice community health centre) 416-961-0113
- Women’s College Hospital Women’s Mental Health Program (helping women with depression, anxiety and psychiatric and psychological issues) 416-323-6230
- Women’s College Hospital Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No appointment necessary. Also has a team that supports emergency departments at several Toronto hospitals (Mount Sinai, Toronto General, Toronto Western, Michael Garron, St. Michael’s, St. Joseph’s and Sunnybrook). Call 416-323-6040.
Seniors Organizations
Call these groups if you’re 65 years and older and need help finding assistance or services:
- Seniors Services – City of Toronto (services and assistance for 65+ adults) Call 2-1-1
- Toronto Older Womens’ Network (a voice for midlife and older women) 416-214-1518
- Assaulted Women’s Helpline: Seniors Safety Line (24-hour crisis and support line for seniors in Ontario who have experienced any type of abuse or neglect) 1-866-299-1011
Legal & Family Law Organizations
Visit the websites of the groups below if you need help understanding or fighting a legal matter or understanding your legal rights.
- Community Legal Education Ontario (helps people understand and exercise their legal rights.
- Steps to Justice Ontario (step-by-step information to legal problems)
- Legal Aid Ontario (provides legal help for low-income Ontarians; help available in over 300 languages) 1-800-668-8258
- Legal Aid Ontario Speciality Legal Clinics (specializing in areas of law for low‑income clients who are marginalized)
- Ontario Women’s Justice Network (helps survivors of violence and their supporters better understand legal rights in Ontario).
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