Parental Support Resources
Sometimes children need some help to deal with things like poverty, divorce, self-esteem, aggression, and other problems. Unfortunately, in most of Ontario, there is a lack of services for all children, even though the need for these services is quite common. That is why LIFE*SPIN has gathered these resources to try to ease some of the burden of finding the proper help for your child.
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Beacon House’s Child & Youth Advocacy Program is a voluntary service offered to all families involved with the centre during a child abuse investigation. Our mission is to support children, youth and families within a safe and supportive environment when they’ve experienced abuse. Our centralized location promotes healing and minimize trauma during the investigative process. Children have access to services that promote well-being & security. Children are connected to a child advocate who help them navigate the services we house all under our own roof, provided through our strong community partnerships in London-Middlesex.
Tel: 519-679-7250
Email: info@beaconhouselondon.ca
Address: London Family Court Clinic, 254 Pall Mall St, Suite 200 London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5P6
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Previously known as Western Area Youth Services (WAYS).
Humana Community Services offers a variety of services for youth (age 18 and younger), transition age (age 16-21), families, and more. Each program offers a strength-based approach towards supporting youths while helping them accomplish their goals.
Learn more about their Youth & Children Mental Health Resources here.
Learn more about their Foster Care Program for children and youth up to 18 years old.
Tel: 519-435-1099
Email: info@humanacs.org
Address: 371 Princess Ave, London, ON N6B 2A7
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The Learning Disabilities Association is a charitable, not-for-profit agency that, through program offerings, provides individual coaching, advocacy, and community resources. They provide ongoing strategies and accommodations for people with learning disabilities. The LDA believes that everyone has the right to learn, the power to achieve, and the ability to succeed.
This organization offers a resource centre and tutoring for children with learning disabilities. There is usually a waiting list for tutors. Costs include membership and tutoring fees. The membership fee must be paid; however, tutoring fees can be waived.
Tel: 519-438-6213
Address: 303 Richmond St., Unit 205, London, Ont. N6B 2H8
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Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre provides a wide range of groups from anger management to parenting support. Also provides groups for children aged 6-12 for developing self-esteem, coping with a family break-up, and anger management.
Tel: 519-434-6848
Address: 1064 Colborne St., London, Ont. N6A 4B3
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SAFE (Support and Aid to Families Electronically)
This project is a partnership between King’s School of Social Work Field Education Office and the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) to provide immediate, virtual counselling services during the pandemic and beyond to families associated with TVDSB. We gratefully acknowledge funding from the London Community Foundation to support this initiative.
After a successful pilot project last year facilitated by BSW 3 and MSW student placements, the program was expanded this year to include BSW 4 students to enable counselling services to be available for the entire school year. Given the success of SAFE, counselling services are going to be extended to youth presenting with complex needs and plans are underway to make services available to additional community partner organizations in the future.
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St. Leonard’s Society of London offers youth community and school-based programs, including housing for those who experience chronic homelessness. They also offer purposeful programs for adults and youth who are or could be in conflict with the law. Their mission is to support, advocate with, and empower individuals who are, or who are at risk of being justice-involved.
Services include:
youth school-based programs
adult community programs
adult residential programs
Some programs can be accessed by anyone who wants service, but in other cases, they may need a referral.
Tel: 519-850-3777
Address: 405 Dundas St., London, Ont. N6B 1V9
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The YMCA, or The “Y,” is a charitable organization, offering health, hope, and opportunity for all. They are dedicated to the enrichment of communities through growth in spirit, mind, and body, for people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities. It provides programs and flexibility to serve everyone’s unique needs. Their facilities include track, swimming, exercise classes, weights, day and overnight camps for children.
The "Y" offers subsidized memberships to individuals and families who are low-income or on assistance. Minimum payment is usually $5, but if you can afford more, then you may be asked to contribute more. Subsidies require proof of income and a meeting with a YMCA staff member to process your application. For camp subsidies, you must apply months in advance.
382 Waterloo St., London, Ont. N6B 2N8 Tel: 519-667-3300
1050 Hamilton Rd., London, Ont. N5W 1A6 Tel: 519-451-2395
920 Sunningdale Rd. East, London, Ont. N5X 0H5 Tel: 519-667-4400
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Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) supports youth to build skills, confidence and independence to reach their potential. They help youth reach their potential through education, skills training, employment supports, and referrals they need to lead positive lives. They offer a wide range of services, including health and dental care, housing, education, workshops, job search and on-the-job skills training. They serve all youth, from those at risk to those seeking summer employment. As a non-profit, registered charity, YOU receives funding from all levels of government, national, regional, and local businesses, as well as foundations.
Not sure who to turn to? The Youth Action Centre can help as a resource referral. Drop-in centre for youth 16-24 years of age.
Tel: 519-432-1112
Address: 332 Richmond St., London, Ont. N6A 3C3
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1680 Oxford St E, London, Ont. N5V 3G2
The Children's Aid Society of London & Middlesex (CASLM) provides services to vulnerable children and families in Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada. Accountable to the community as a whole, their mission is to ensure that all children thrive in a safe, stable and loving family. The identity of families and children they serve is kept in the strictest confidence. CASLM’s hope is that their assistance will contribute to increase the well-being of children and youth through an effective, dynamic and child-centred organization.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7010 London, Ont. N5Y 5R8
Tel: 519-455-9000
Email: info@caslondon.on.ca
Toll Free: 1-888-661-6167
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Vanier Children’s Mental Wellness
871 Trafalgar St., London, Ont. N5Z 1E6
Vanier offers a range of services for infants, children, youth (up to 14 years old), and their families. Their services are designed to offer support to families who have a child struggling with social, emotional, behavioural, and mental health issues. Most services are supported through provincial funding, and are offered at no cost to the family.
Services offered include:
Community Services
Drop-in Services
School Community Intervention Partnership
Intensive Services
Individual treatment plans are co-created with families in a collaborative manner to meet their needs. Their services vary in intensity, location, and goals.
Tel: 519-433-3101
Email: askvanier@vanier.com
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Child & Parent Resource Institute (CPRI)
600 Sanitorium Rd., London, Ont. N6H 3W7
CPRI’s mission is to provide specialize, trauma-responsive mental health and developmental services to achieve the best possible outcomes for Ontario’s children and youth.
Their services include:
Assessment
Consultation
Treatment
Research
Education
They work with local community services building on what they have already done. They use an evidence-based practice, and adapt their approach to the unique needs of each child. All their services are voluntary. They need informed consent from the child or youth or their substitute decision-maker for every part of their service.
They also have 7 residential units on site, where they provide residential services. Residential units vary by bed capacity (from 6-12), age, sex, and needs, of clients served on the unit. They provide residential services on a short term basis so that children/youth are out of their home community for the least amount of time possible.
There are no costs for programs. However, live-in programs are arranged through CSCN.
Tel: 519-858-2774
Email: cpri.educate@ontario.ca
Teletype: 519-858-0257
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The Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre offers children’s and youth programs. Their programs offer access to positive experiences, role models, and opportunities for objective self-evaluation.
Tel: 519-668-2745
Email: info@gccrc.ca
Address: 244 Adelaide St. South, London, Ont. N5Z 3L1
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The London Recreation Services Spectrum offers year-round sports and recreational programs for children and adults, including summer camps. All programs can be subsidized. However, you must provide a letter from a recognized Social Service agency to confirm your financial situation. You may still be asked to pay 50% or more of the costs. Programs occur in neighbourhoods throughout the whole city.
Local libraries carry copies of their current programs. You can also give them a call or visit their website (click on the headline) for listings. Visit the Play Your Way Fund webpage as well.
Tel: 519-661-5575
Email: recreation@london.ca
Address: 151 Dundas St., 3rd Floor, London, Ont. N6A 4L9
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Scouts Canada employs a system of progressive self-education, which includes the practices and methods of committed to the values in a Promise and Law, learning by doing, commitment to the values of doing one’s best, contributing to the community, respecting and caring for others, contributing as a family member, relevant through youth and young adult engagement, and the use of outdoor activities as a key learning resource.
Co-ed programs for boys and girls include Beavers, Cubs, Venturers and Rovers. Programs start at age 5 and go until young adulthood. Their programs cover adventure, recreation, education, social and community work. Financial assistance is available, including the cost of uniforms. Groups meet every week throughout the school year, and there are groups organized in neighbourhoods throughout London. There are also camps organized for the summer months.
Tel: 519-432-8313
Email: info@scouts.ca
Address: 541 Windermere Rd., London, Ont. N5X 2T1
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St. Leonard’s Society of London offers youth community and school-based programs, including housing for those who experience chronic homelessness. They also offer purposeful programs for adults and youth who are or could be in conflict with the law. Their mission is to support, advocate with, and empower individuals who are, or who are at risk of being justice-involved.
Services include:
youth school-based programs
adult community programs
adult residential programs
Some programs can be accessed by anyone who wants service, but in other cases, they may need a referral.
Tel: 519-850-3777
Address: 405 Dundas St., London, Ont. N6B 1V9
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The YMCA, or The “Y,” is a charitable organization, offering health, hope, and opportunity for all. They are dedicated to the enrichment of communities through growth in spirit, mind, and body, for people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities. It provides programs and flexibility to serve everyone’s unique needs. Their facilities include track, swimming, exercise classes, weights, day and overnight camps for children.
The "Y" offers subsidized memberships to individuals and families who are low-income or on assistance. Minimum payment is usually $5, but if you can afford more, then you may be asked to contribute more. Subsidies require proof of income and a meeting with a YMCA staff member to process your application. For camp subsidies, you must apply months in advance.
382 Waterloo St., London, Ont. N6B 2N8 Tel: 519-667-3300
1050 Hamilton Rd., London, Ont. N5W 1A6 Tel: 519-451-2395
920 Sunningdale Rd. East, London, Ont. N5X 0H5 Tel: 519-667-4400
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Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) supports youth to build skills, confidence and independence to reach their potential. They help youth reach their potential through education, skills training, employment supports, and referrals they need to lead positive lives. They offer a wide range of services, including health and dental care, housing, education, workshops, job search and on-the-job skills training. They serve all youth, from those at risk to those seeking summer employment. As a non-profit, registered charity, YOU receives funding from all levels of government, national, regional, and local businesses, as well as foundations.
Not sure who to turn to? The Youth Action Centre can help as a resource referral. Drop-in centre for youth 16-24 years of age.
Tel: 519-432-1112
Address: 332 Richmond St., London, Ont. N6A 3C3
Strategic Parent Intervention Focus (SPIF) Resources
This method is more focused on the parental strategies and methods of managing and coping with the needs of your child/children. These are voluntary programs that are meant to help parents who may be feeling uncertain about what they can do to help their child.
Residential and Community Programs and Services
Choosing a community program for your child may be difficult for everyone involved, but it also may be very beneficial to your family and their current situation. If your child is coping with issues of abuse, aggression, suicide, drugs and alcohol, behavioural problems, and/or emotional or developmental problems, seeking support through a community program is a great way to work through any of that. A community program may help everyone cope better and deal with the issue(s) at hand.
A residential program is one in which the child lives at the treatment facility. This may be a good option for your family, if your child has complex needs. This choice is not a reflection of a parent’s ability to raise their child, but an opportunity to gain additional support for the entire family.
There has been a recent movement geared towards services that provide in-home support to families. This has been referred to as the ‘least intrusive method of intervention’ when it comes to treating children and youth.
For residential programs, there may be a waiting list, but some programs offer services that your family and child can use while waiting.