The Region and its municipal and community partners are working together to ensure that vulnerable populations and others affected by COVID-19 get the supports they need. This page is updated regularly. Subscribe to receive email updates.
On this page
- Crisis and distress lines
- Mental health resources
- Support to cope with stress and anxiety
- Food hampers and meals
- Emergency child care
- Emergency foster care
- For people experiencing homelessness:
- Animal care services
- Spiritual supports
- Additional services that have been adapted due to COVID-19
- About the Community Support Control Group
- Community support in numbers: showing the impact of the services provided during COVID-19
Crisis and distress lines
If you or someone you know is in crisis or experiencing distress, please connect them to one of the telephone lines below.
| Local |
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Here 24/7 - Addictions, Mental Health & Crisis Services Waterloo-Wellington 1-844-437-3247 (HERE247) or TTY: 1-877-688-5501 Here 24/7 is your front door to the addictions, mental health and crisis services provided by 11 partner agencies across Waterloo-Wellington. All you need to do is reach out to us. We do the intake, assessment, referral, crisis, waitlist and appointment booking work for these important programs. It’s our job to be your guide, figure out your needs and help you navigate the system. This leaves you free to focus on maintaining hope and pursuing recovery.
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region 519-741-8633 Our support line is a resource for anyone who has experienced sexual violence as a child or adult, and their friends and families. We provide emotional support and intervention, options, information, referrals, as well as advocacy and accompaniments. Phone support is available in more than 200 languages through an interpreter service. The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region also operates two shelters for women and kids fleeing abusive homes in Kitchener, Waterloo and surrounding townships:
Anselma House (Kitchener) 24/hr support line: 519-742-5894
Haven House (Cambridge) 24/hr support line 519-653-2422
Front Door - Access to child and youth mental health services and supports in Waterloo Region 519-749-2932, and press “1“ to speak to our staff https://www.frontdoormentalhealth.com/ We can help. We work with parents/caregivers, children and youth (up to their 18th birthday) who are struggling with life’s challenges such as emotions, behaviours, relationships and mental health. We listen, offer support and can help you identify next steps including access to other services. |
| Provincial |
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ONTX / Distress and Crisis Ontario Text: 258258 Chat online at www.dcontario.org Ontario Online & Text Crisis Services (ONTX) helps if someone is in distress, crisis or having suicidal thoughts. Text and online chat service is available 7 days a week from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. and interactions are private and confidential. Visit our website for additional resources and services available across the province for 24 hour voice call support.
Good2Talk – Ontario Post-Secondary Student Support 1-866-925-5454 Text: GOOD2TALKON to 686868 Good2Talk is a free, confidential mental health support service providing professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being to postsecondary students in Ontario, 24/7/365.
LGBT Youth Line 1-800-268-9688 Text: 647-694-4275 Live chat with a peer support volunteer on www.youthline.ca Confidential, non-judgemental and informed LGBTTQQ2SI Peer Support through our telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30 PM.
Hope for Wellness - Mental health and wellness in First Nations and Inuit communities 1-855-242-3310 Live chat with a counsellor online at www.hopeforwellness.ca The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. On request, phone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.
Tel-aide Outaouais 1-800-567-9699 L’équipe de bénévoles est composée d’écoutants méticuleusement sélectionnés et formés pour l’emploi, l’organisation souhaite que le public compose leur numéro, 365 jours par années, quel que soit le motif, afin d’exprimer ses émotions avec les bénévoles à l’écoute. Nos lignes d'écoutes sont ouvertes 24 h sur 24, 365 jours par année.
The Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse 1-866-887-0015 http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/ovss/male_support_services/ Approximately one in six men will experience sexual abuse in their lifetime. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, you are not alone and there is help available. Survivors have access to a 24-hour, multilingual, toll-free phone line for immediate crisis and referral services. Male survivors of sexual abuse also have access to a number of specialized services to help them deal with the impact of abuse, including individual and group counselling, peer support, telephone and online counselling, referrals to other appropriate community support services to meet other long-term needs that clients may have.
ConnexOntario Dial 1-866-531-2600 Chat online at https://www.connexontario.ca/ ConnexOntario provides free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness and/or gambling. We are funded by the Government of Ontario. Our system navigation and information service is live-answer 24/7, confidential, and free.
211Ontario Dial 2-1-1 or 211’s toll-free line: 1-877-330-3213 Chat online at https://211ontario.ca/ 211 is a telephone helpline (call 2-1-1) and website that provides information on and referrals to Ontario’s community, social, health-related and government services. We can help you understand what services and government benefits exist and explain how to apply. 211 is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year across Ontario. We list over 60,000 community and government programs and services. We also provide an interpreter in over 150 languages. When 211 answers the phone, ask for the language you want and hold the line. |
| National |
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Kids Help Phone Text CONNECT to 686868 to be connected to a trained Kids Help Phone Crisis Responder. Kids Help Phone is a national, bilingual and anonymous phone counselling and referral service for children and youth.
Youth Space Text 7787830177 Chat online at www.youthspace.ca Everyone across Canada under 30 years is welcome to chat with us. We are open 6pm-midnight PST, 365 days a year. We are a diverse community of trained volunteers who would love to listen to how things are going for you. |
Mental health resources
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that we take care of ourselves and each other. If you or someone you know needs support, access one of the organizations on the list of mental and spiritual wellness resources in Waterloo Region.
Support to cope with stress, anxiety or grief
If you are experiencing anxiety or stress, or if you just need a general check-in, see the list of organizations that can help you cope.
Food hamper and meals
Vulnerable individuals and families can’t afford to stock up on food for days at a time during the pandemic. People who do not have adequate housing need access to community meals. Others are unable to leave their homes for various reasons but do not have friends or family to help with groceries. The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is coordinating supports to ensure everyone in the region gets the food they need.
If you or someone you know needs food services, find out how to access the food bank, emergency food hampers, meal delivery, and community meal programs.
Emergency child care
Please note: On April 29th, the Province expanded the list of workers eligible for emergency child care.
The Region of Waterloo is coordinating a temporary emergency child care program for parents who provide critical services in our community. The program will offer free licensed child care for health care and other frontline workers who have exhausted all other care options for their children. Fees will be paid by the Ministry. Care will be offered to children from birth to age 12.
Check to see if you are on the Ministry of Education’s list of eligible workers and apply for emergency child care online.
Please note: The order that families are placed into care will be based on many factors, including urgency of need.
For more information, please see our frequently asked questions (last updated May 8th, 2020). You can also call 519-514-1474 or email ECC@regionofwaterloo.ca.
Emergency foster care
During the pandemic, we anticipate some children may need care if their parents become ill with COVID-19. The first approach would be to find members of the extended family or family friends who could provide a temporary home for the children. When that is not possible, experienced caregivers from the community, such as day-care providers, educators, child and youth workers and others who understand the needs of children would be sought out. Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent can learn more at www.fosteringkids.ca.
Daytime drop-ins and washrooms for the most vulnerable
With most facilities temporarily closed during the pandemic, municipalities have opened public washrooms for people experiencing homelessness. See the full list of open spaces, washrooms, and other amenities below.
| Daytime drop-in space for warming/cooling and basic needs |
KitchenerSt. John's Kitchen, 97 Victoria Street North This space is for adults who are at least 18 years old and who are unsheltered (not connected to an emergency shelter) in Kitchener. People using the space will be offered food, washrooms, showers, laundry, harm reduction supplies, and connections to emergency shelter and housing. WaterlooAdult Recreation Centre, 185 King St. S. Available for washrooms and as a cooling centre. Cambridge150 Main Street This space offers shower use in the fitness centre and supports from community partners onsite, including help gaining access to emergency shelter and/or housing. The space is also available for cooling down for 15-20 minute periods at a time, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. given that physical distancing can be maintained to protect all in the space. Washrooms can also be accessed between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. |
| Public washrooms |
KitchenerCharles Street Bus Terminal, daily from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ray of Hope WaterlooAdult Recreation Centre, 185 King St. S. CambridgeCambridge Churchill Park, 200 Christopher Drive Cambridge Riverbluffs Park, 211 George St. N. Region of Waterloo building, 150 Main Street Ainslie Street Bus Terminal, 35 Ainslie St. S. |
Emergency shelter
As part of the Community Support Control Group’s pandemic response, additional supports are being put in place for people who are homeless. In addition to the seven emergency shelters currently operating in Waterloo Region, a temporary shelter in Kitchener opened March 26, 2020 to replace the overflow space at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Kitchener.
The shelter is being led by the YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo Emergency Shelter and is located at the A.R. Kaufman YMCA at 333 Carwood Avenue in Kitchener. The facility has been modified to serve as a shelter, providing participants with necessities such as food, shelter and laundry. It will be open from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily.
If you know someone in need of emergency shelter, please connect them to a housing helpline below:
- Single adults across the region can call 519-624-9133 between 8:00 a.m. and midnight, seven days a week.
- 12-18 year old youth in Kitchener-Waterloo can call 519-749-1450, 24 hours a day.
- 19-25 year old youth in Kitchener-Waterloo can call 519-741-6415 between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. seven days a week. On weekend, please call the single adult helpline.
- Youth in Cambridge can call 519-998-7292 between 8:00 a.m. and midnight, seven days a week.
- Families across the region can call 519-749-2450 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Screening and isolation space for the most vulnerable
People accessing all shelters in the Region are being screened for COVID-19. If they show symptoms, they will be transported to an isolation space that is fully staffed. A street outreach team is also helping to screen people who may not be connected to shelters. When more support is needed, a mobile bus staffed by a medical team is available to conduct assessments.
Animal care
Pets
Livestock
Support is being arranged for farmers who may become too ill to care for livestock due to COVID-19 and who do not have family or friends who can provide assistance. Skilled volunteers will be provided as needed through a livestock commodity group. Owners of hobby farms will be supported by volunteers from the Mennonite Disaster Service Canada.
If you are a hobby farmer and need support, please contact the Mennonite Disaster Service at edm@cyg.net or 519-656-2330. If you operate a production farm, you can contact your commodity group.
Spiritual supports
During the pandemic, it can be difficult for some people to connect with friends, family, neighbours or faith communities to help them cope with hardships. A list of religious and spiritual services has been compiled and is available on the Wellbeing Waterloo Region website.
Additional community resources
Many community services have been adapted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. See Wellbeing Waterloo Region's list of services, including information for:
- Children, youth and their caregivers;
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit people;
- Immigrants and refugees;
- LGBTQ2S+ community; and
- People with disabilities.
About the Community Support Control Group
The Community Support Control Group is made up of representatives from the Region of Waterloo, area municipalities, and community partners. This group is taking action to support the health and safety of vulnerable people and other community members impact by COVID-19.
This group’s mandate is to:
- Identify populations that may require additional supports during the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Identify the community supports that will be provided to those populations; and
- Determine which organizations will coordinate and provide those supports.
Contact Us