to raise a village.

Mission:

To help youth overcome crisis and transition to a state of safety and stability.

Vision:

Every kid has access to a safe home.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:

NIGHTSTOP

Designed for youth and young adults providing a safety net for those forced to leave their home, by offering emergency accommodation. Nightstop places young people in a safe and warm home for the night, provided by a vetted and approved volunteer.

It prevents young people from sleeping on the streets, “couch surfing”, or staying in unsuitable accommodations where they would be at risk of abuse. The use of spare rooms in a positive environment makes a huge difference to young people in crisis.

Founded in 1982 and the largest emergency housing provider in York Region, Blue Door provides lifesaving support to children, youth, men, women, and families.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:

INNclusion 2SLGBTQ+ Housing

To provide safe, stable housing for 2SLGBTQ+ youth who are at risk of and/or experiencing homelessness in York Region for up to one year while they work with a Peer Mentor to set and achieve their goals surrounding education, health, housing and employment. The end goal is for 2SLGBTQ+ youth to achieve greater independence, self-sufficiency, and long term housing.

INNclusion Supportive Housing provides:

• Youth contribute a portion of their monthly income to participate in the program.

• Increased length of stay to ensure youth find and maintain housing.

• A Peer Mentor supports and visits each youth to create a plan that leads to finding a permanent independent home.
  

CMHA York Region and South Simcoe (CMHA-YRSS) a nationwide leader and champion for mental health. CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness and addiction.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:
Under The Rainbow Group

Under the Rainbow is a free supportive and social group for anyone who identifies as 2SLGBTQ+ or as an ally. Come meet and celebrate with others who understand and have a shared experience. Check out the events we have coming up on CMHA website.

Was originally founded as the AIDS Committee of York Region in 1993 and formally incorporated as a registered charitable organization in 1996.

Mission and Vision

To create safe, confidential, and inclusive spaces and services in York Region where people can access dignified support and meaningfully engage in self-determined pathways to well-being. We envision an informed, healthy, stigma-free and compassionate community.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:

Harm Reduction

If you are a person who uses drugs and substances or is seeking support for a friend or family member in York Region, here is what you can access:

Harm reduction supplies such as:

• sterile needles and syringes

• Sterile water

• Cookers

• Vitamin C

• Filters

• Straight (crack) pipes

• Brass screens

• Push sticks

• Bowl (meth) pipes

• Mouthpieces

• Used needle disposal containers

• Condoms & lubes

• Naloxone kits & overdose prevention training

• Information about safer drug use

• Information about sexual health promotion

• Monthly HIV, Hep C and other testing drives

• Wellness drop-in programs

• Support and referrals to health and social services

• Peer learning & social groups

• Volunteering & leadership development opportunities

These Services are FREE and confidential

PHONE

Tel: 905-884-0613
Toll free: 1-800-243-7717

*“CAYR” is phonetically pronounced /keə(r)/ and is based on the word “CARE” as in “to care for” persons served by the agency.

Providing counselling and community support services to help individuals, couples, families and groups manage their daily lives.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:

York Rainbow Support Network

Delivering services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Two Spirit, Queer and Questioning individuals. The program is aimed at reducing barriers and building capacity to serve the 2SLGBTQ+ Communities.

Counsellors are experienced in 2SLGBTQ+ related issues such as:

• Coming out

• Sexual orientation & gender identity issues

• Life transitions

• Relationship issues

• Marriage transitions

• Couple conflict

• Discrimination

• Aging

• Parenting

FSYR also offers 2SLGBTQ+ Group Programs.

Are you having difficulty coping with life’s challenges? FSYR provides counselling and community based cultural support services in York Region.

Pflag is York Region’s 2SLGBTQ+ support, resource and education network – bringing together all members of the community.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:

COFFEE NIGHTS

Coffee Nights are a safe space where members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, their friends, family or allies can come together. This is a place to seek support if you have questions or concerns about sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, or a place you can make new friends or connect with old ones.

Coffee Night Support Meeting

Please contact for times/location

PHONE

Call our anonymous support line at 1.866.YR.PFLAG (977.3524)

The York Region District School Board has policies, procedures and guidelines in place that provide strong foundations for an equitable and inclusive workplace and learning environment.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:

SpeakOUT

Secondary students from across York Region took part in this student this conference which is for secondary school Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs). Conference participants engage in a range of workshops that support the work of GSAs in their development of equitable and inclusive environments that are free of bullying and discrimination for all students. The conference is an opportunity for GSA members and their teacher advisors from across the region to share best practices, learn new information and to engage in practices that welcome and affirm all social identities within their schools.

The York Regional Police are a law enforcement organization that serves over 1.2 million residents in York Region, Ontario, Canada, located north of Toronto. YRP was formed in 1971 from the police services maintained by the nine municipalities which amalgamated into York Region at the time.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:
Inclusion Strategy

Will serve as our roadmap as we continue to build a workplace and a region where everyone feels that they belong.

shorturl.at/tAHL6

Community Consultative Round Table:

The group is comprised of York Regions major 2SLGBTQ+ organizations who meet quarterly to ensure YRP are being held accountable for policing in the community to help mitigate gaps in the relationships between the 2SLGBTQ+ residents and visitors.

Focus

• Improved internal inclusivity training

• Policies and procedures upgrades

• Flagging Incidents happening across the region and developing solutions

• Fundraising for 2SLGBTQ+ services organizations

• Scenarios builder and how YRP responds to incidents (community approach)

WE ARE MORE VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WJ_Mrr56uo

Hate Crimes Unit

York Regional Police is committed to combating hate crime. But only together, in partnership with our community, can we ensure that hate does not define our region.

If you witness or have been the victim of a hate crime or hate/bias incident, report it to York Regional Police immediately.

The service has a full-time investigative Hate Crimes Unit as well as specialized hate crime investigators across the region, providing support to all our members.