Community Belonging

Advocacy and Advisory Groups

Aboriginal Health Centre - Aboriginal Patient Navigator Program

145 Queenston St
4th Flr St Catharines, ON
L2R 2Z9

Designed to assist clients and their families who are entering into, involved with or exiting out of the Niagara Health System. The Aboriginal Patient Navigator provides culturally appropriate services that helps individuals and their families better understand and utilize the Niagara Health System.

Services Include:

• Access to Cultural Supports and Traditional Healing
• Coordination of Services
• Advocacy
• Discharge Planning
• Referrals and Linkages to Community Resources
• Community Follow-up

The APN program can help individuals, care-givers and their families better understand their plan of care and treatment options, overcome barriers while in the hospital and in the community, improve communication with service providers, and gain a greater sense of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual support.

https://www.aboriginalhealthcentre.com

psn@dahac.ca

Office: 905-358-4320

Fax: 905-418-1143

Call for information

Age-Friendly Niagara Network - Age-Friendly Niagara Council

St Catharines, ON

The Age-Friendly Niagara Council is a group of local citizens, volunteers, community partners and municipal leaders who have joined together to learn about, take action on and champion age-friendly community principles to make Niagara a 'community for all ages'.

The Age-Friendly Niagara Council (AFNC) is advancing the implementation of the Niagara Aging Strategy and Action Plan.

https://www.agefriendlyniagara.com

info@agefriendlyniagara.com

Hours not specified

Guardian Angels Program

Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON

Advocates for improved care for residents in Ontario's long term care homes to ensure that residents are provided with consistent and quality medical care, psychological and physical therapy support.

Respond to concerns over the treatment of loved ones residing in Ontario nursing homes. Also offer support to individuals whose family members are already reside in a nursing home or to those whose family members are considering entering a facility.

https://www.seniorguardianangels.com

Office: 905-468-5877

Call for information

Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle - Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle, Niagara Region

3250 Schmon Pkwy
Unit 1B Thorold, ON
L2V 4Y6

IDHC provides programs and services focusing on the development, and enhancement of programs and services focusing on the education, prevention, and management of diabetes in Indigenous communities, both on and off-reserve. The high prevalence of diabetes in Indigenous society has placed it among the top health priorities.

• Develop and distribute culturally appropriate education, promotion and prevention resources based on community needs
• Advocate, support and promote access to treatment and care options
• Establish and maintain appropriate networking, through coordination and recommendation of services
• Identify local and regional service needs related to diabetes, through data collection
• Act as a resource for other health and education service providers
• Gather, share, and support relevant diabetes research

https://www.idhc.life

officemanager@idhc.life

Office: 905-938-2915

Toll Free: 1-888-514-1370

Fax: 1-866-352-0485

Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Niagara Centre for Independent Living - Information, Support and Advocacy

122 Queenston St
St Catharines, ON
L2R 2Z3

A cross-disability organization, NCIL is one of a network of 25 Independent Living Centres across Canada. The organization acts as a resource on disability services and issues, and is consumer-run and consumer-driven. Supports any person with any disability, through a wide range of programs and services in all areas of Niagara. Programs include: Individual Advocacy/Disability Support, Direct Funding Self Managed Attendant Services, Information and Referral, Peer Support and Work Link Employment Services. Also provides Community Participation Supports for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, who are referred by Developmental Services Ontario.

Can provide information sessions to persons with disabilities and their families about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) to learn about the benefits of the RDSP and how to access the Grants and Bonds offered by the Government of Canada.

https://www.abilityforlife.ca

administration@abilityforlife.ca

Office: 905-684-7111

Fax: 905-684-1199

TTY: 905-684-0420

Mon-Fri 9 am-4:30 pm

Niagara District Council of Women

Niagara, ON

An umbrella organization that functions as an advocacy and educational group. Council has a diverse membership eg Positive Living Niagara, OSSTF Status of Women, District 22, Canadian Federation of University Women, St Catharines, Niagara Region Sexual Assault Centre (CARSA). The Council of Women is affiliated with the Provincial (est 1923), National (1893) and International Council (est 1888) of Women. Both National and International Councils of Women have "Consultative" status at the United Nations.

jmpotter@gmail.com

Office: No public telephone number

Sep-Nov, Jan-Mar 3rd Wed 7 pm-9:30 pm * Dec 12 noon-1:30 pm

Niagara Regional Native Centre - Health Outreach Worker

382 Airport Rd
Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0

Addresses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of individuals. Provides individual support and advocacy services to those who are experiencing barriers to accessing the health care system. Offers active living programs (ie walking program) and workshops and other awareness events around various health issues. Provides assistance with:

• OHIP
• status card renewal
• limited medical transportation
• non-insured health benefits program of Health Canada
• information regarding Medical Services Branch (Indian Affairs) medical coverage

https://www.nrnc.ca

how@nrnc.ca

Office: 905-688-6484

Fax: 905-688-4033

Mon-Thu 9 am-5 pm

Niagara Regional Native Centre - Life Long Care

382 Airport Rd
Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0

Provides services and care for people of all ages that have physical disabilities, serious health issues, or those who are frail and/or elderly. Provides assistance in the following areas:

• Medical transportation services
• Medical escorts
• Referrals to community services and Friendship Centre programs
• Preparing forms and applications
• Congregate dining services (includes meal and activity)
• Home visits/friendly visits
• Security checks (in person or over the phone)
• Caregiver Support services (respite and training)
• Advocacy with community agencies
• Access to cultural activities, traditional foods, ceremonies, Elders and Healers
• Assistance with housing issues
• Transitioning from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) to Old Age Pension
• Locating a family doctor
• Assist in obtaining medical equipment and supplies

https://www.nrnc.ca

Office: 905-688-6484

Fax: 905-688-4033

Mon-Thu 9 am-5 pm

Ontario. Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development - Office of the Worker Advisor

Garden City Tower, 301 St Paul St
8th Fl St Catharines, ON
L2R 7R4

An independent agency of the Ministry of Labour. It is NOT a part of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) or the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

The office:

• Provides free and confidential services (advice, education, representation) in workplace insurance matters (formerly called workers' compensation)
• Provides free and confidential services (advice, education, representation) on occupational health and safety reprisal issues
• Provides workplace insurance services to non-unionized workers and their survivors.Occupational health and safety reprisal services are provided to non-unionized workers
• represents workers at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), the Workplace Safety and Insurance Tribunal (WSIAT) and the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). Alternative dispute resolution is used to resolve cases when possible. The OWA also provides self-help information for workers to handle their own claims or applications where appropriate.

https://www.owa.gov.on.ca

owaweb@ontario.ca

Office: 905-704-3945

Toll Free: 1-800-414-4512

Fax: 905-704-3019

Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Open Arms of Jesus Outreach Ministry

60 Facer St
Side Door St Catharines, ON
L2M 5J1

A drop in centre providing the following services:

• Phone (free long distance to Canada and USA) and Internet
• Food bank (Facer St neighbourhood only)
• Individual and family Christian counselling/ addictions counselling
• Funeral services for low income individuals
• Visits for shut-ins and inmates
• Advocacy for workers compensation, housing and programs including Ontario Works and Ontario Disability
• Income tax preparation for low income individuals and families

openarmsofjesus@hotmail.com

Office: 289-271-1281

Mon-Fri 9 am-1 pm

Port Cares - Client Services

92 Charlotte St
Port Colborne, ON
L3K 3E1

Provides a wide range of services on an individual case basis including:

• advocacy
• emergency food
• crisis situations
• transportation
• may offer financial assistance for emergency medical need
• may offer utility support
• offer referrals for education and employment
• eviction prevention services

Other services includes

• Give a Gift, Adopt-A-Family at Christmas
• Back Packs for Back to School

Offers confidential one-on-one service to clients and refer when required. All services are free of charge.

https://www.portcares.ca

portcares@portcares.ca

Office: 905-834-3629

Fax: 905-834-5805

Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm, by appointment