When people are hungry, they have less energy, less motivation, less concentration, and can also have difficulty with problem-solving. Did you know that most families who struggle with food insecurity have well-nourished children, because parents tend to sacrifice their own nutritional needs so that the kids don’t risk developmental insufficiency? It’s important that every person in every household has a diet that is adequate, balanced, and varied so that the whole household can thrive. Food provision services in Guelph include grocery-style shopping, breakfast programs, community meals, and even fresh produce delivery. Food resources include non-food grocery items, such as hygiene and pet products, as well.

Legal and court matters are highly structured and formalized and they can be stressful to navigate, especially alone. These resources are available for family court, property issues, charges connected to addiction, accessing legal aid, or even just booking a safe place to attend court via zoom. You’re not the first person to need guidance and support in a legal matter; these resources are here to help you.

Community and public health programs are here to help you get healthy and stay healthy. These resources can help support you in getting birth control, pregnancy support, free prescription eyeglasses, reduced-cost dental care, HIV/AIDS resources, COVID testing, public health education and walk-in clinics. Find the medical support that fits you and your family.

Financial worries are common, and can interfere with getting a good night’s sleep. See if you are eligible for income support and/or debt relief programming. Financial health is an important factor in our overall health, as financial stressors lead to stress in the body and can lead to physical symptoms like insomnia, migraines, and increase risk of cardiovascular disease.

How we present ourselves to the world is an important part of having a positive self-image, a good self-esteem and accessing available opportunities for yourself. Having appropriate clothing for employment, exercise, weather, and comfort is key in participating in your life in the ways you want to. These resources provide not only clothing for adults and children, but also access to home items (such as furniture or appliances) and haircuts.

Every person deserves access to shelter and safety. Housing supports are geared toward low-income community members who may or may not be on Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), who are homeless or are at-risk of homelessness, who have rent or utility arrears, or who may need to leave an unsafe home.

Access to transportation is essential. If you can’t get to support resources, you can’t get the help you need. Here you can find a reduced-price Guelph Transit bus pass, car sharing, and access to free transportation from outside Guelph Transit bus services to attend medical appointments or to access other support resources.

Need help achieving your career goals? These resources can help support you in a variety of ways. From access to computers to write and print out your resume, to searching for job postings, to workshops to help prepare for interviews, to learning how to navigate employment social networking (like LinkedIn), and accommodation programming for those with disabilities, employment resources are here to support you in your journey.

Mental Health resources include resources for mental health challenges and concurrent disorders or addictions. What resources do you need or want right now? Counselling services in person, by phone, or by zoom? In-patient treatment or out-patient? Talking to medical or therapeutic professionals or joining a support group? An organization that can provide professional treatment or help you advocate for your needs? Finding the right connections, delivered in the medium that works best for you, is key in creating a lifestyle that focuses on self-care and resilience so you can thrive.

There are lots of additional resources in the Guelph-Wellington area that you can access to support you in your day-to-day life. In this section you will find support for recreation activities, low-cost tool library, low-cost access to workshops (e.g., woodworking, electronics, crafting, etc.), warming centres to get out of the cold, literacy programs, and volunteer opportunities. Take advantage of all the amazing resources available to help you meet your goals.

Maintaining your autonomy as an older adult or providing care for an older adult in your life is an integral part of a healthy community. Being independent on a fixed income can be a challenge. Find resources for low-cost transportation and food delivery, physical activity programming, socializing, care-giver relief, and even help in caring for your dog when you need to visit the hospital. 

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and these organizations are here to help parents and kids find resources and community to help every child flourish. Whether you are looking for pregnancy support, a parent support group, drop-in childcare, access to family tax credits, or free diapers, there are resources out there for you. These resources are geared toward families, no matter what they look like; single parents, teen parents, kids with disabilities, blended families, and traditional family units are all kinds of families that deserve support and community opportunities.