Gender, Sexuality and Romantic Minority (GSRM) Newcomer Services Ottawa

Some of these are only available to newcomers or GSRM refugee claimants. However, most are available to all GSRM residents of Ottawa. 

 

Capital Rainbow Refuge - https://capitalrainbow.ca/

Email: info@capitalrainbow.ca

  • Settlement Services
  • Program connection

Centretown Community Health Centre - https://www.centretownchc.org/programs

Call: 613-233-4443                          Email: info@centretownchc.org

  • LGBTQIA+ Newcomer group (French available) and walk-in
  • Health and Wellness programs
  • Outreach and support
  • Counseling
  • Senior supports
  • Social groups

Kind Space - https://kindspace.ca/

Call: 613-563-4818                          Email: programming@kindspace.ca

  • Meetup groups
  • Short-term counselling
  • Trans ID clinic
  • GSRM events
  • Youth Discord

Around the Rainbow, Family Services Ottawa - https://familyservicesottawa.org/services/around-the-rainbow/

Call: 613-725-3601 ext. 105

  • Parent and caregiver support group
  • Children’s art and playgroup
  • Counselling

Ottawa Sexual Health Centre -  https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/sexual-health-clinic.aspx

Call: (613) 234-4641   

Queer-friendly clinic and operates a sexual health centre, routine STI testing and vaccines (for STI-specific things such as previous monkey pox outbreak in Ottawa), low-cost birth control and PrEP prescriptions without stigma and free condoms.

Men’s Sexual Health clinic: http://gayzonegaie.ca/clinic/

 

MAX Ottawa (GBT2Q men – Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Twospirited, or Queer) - https://maxottawa.ca/

Call: 613-238-5014

  • Health and wellness services
  • Group therapy
  • Social groups
  • Senior group for 50+
  • Educational workshops and safety workshops
  • Newcomers group
  • Art program

 

Ottawa Trans Library - https://ottawatranslibrary.ca/

info@ottawatranslibrary.ca

For trans and gender-queer individuals and their loved ones

  • Social space and library
  • Crafting and social events
  • Board game nights
  • Other social events

Capital Pride – https://capitalpride.ca/

  • Organizes Ottawa’s pride events and other events throughout the year
  • GSRM Community resource list available on their website

 

Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity –

https://ccgsd-ccdgs.org/initiatives/true-id/

  • Free identification clinic for updating name and gender markers

 

Crisis Lines

Trans Lifeline - https://translifeline.org/  Call: 1-877-330-6366

YouthLine - https://www.youthline.ca/ Text: 647-694-4275

Newcomer Services Ottawa

Many of these services are available to all Ottawa Residents. However, settlement and newcomer-specific services are also listed. Please contact the organization directly to see if you qualify. Ronalee Carey Law is not affiliated to any services listed. Our list is intended to act as a guide to support new residents in building their own personal communities and support systems as they settle in the Ottawa area. 

 

City of Ottawa - https://ottawa.ca/en

Call 311 – interpretation available in 170 languages

Email: 311@ottawa.ca

  • Information on city recreational programs and children’s day camps
  • Assistance with applying for child care and information on support for parents and children
  • Financial and social assistance
  • Job searching
  • City services

 

Ottawa Public Library - https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en

YMCA of the National Capital Region

https://www.ymcaottawa.ca/employment-immigrant-services/immigrant-services/newcomer-information-centre/

https://www.ymcaottawa-nic.ca/our-events

https://www.ymcaottawa-nic.ca/settlement-resources

 

Ottawa Community Resource Hub - https://cneo-nceo.ca/record/80314636/

  • Safe and warm resting space
  • Washrooms
  • Charging stations and public computers, wifi and telephone
  • Crisis Supports and referral services
  • Mental health and addiction services
  • Vaccine clinics

 

Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization - https://ociso.org/

  • Get Settled
  • Learn English
  • Counseling
  • Youth Services
  • Community Connections: Friends of the Family
  • Employment Support (after eligible to work)

Catholic Centre for Immigrant Services - https://cciottawa.ca/

  • Settlement services
  • Language services
  • Employment services (after eligible to work)
  • Community connections

Jewish Family Services Ottawa - www.jfsottawa.com

  • Open to persons of all or no faiths
  • Sliding-scale counseling services (cost depends on income level – please call their reception to discuss)
  • Walk-in counseling clinic
  • Settlement support
  • Social events and workshops
  • Community Kitchen
  • Drop-in playgroups for children and parents
  • Senior supports

Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre - occsc.org

  • Serves individuals of all nationalities with services available in English and Chinese dialects
  • Settlement services, including help with children’s school registration, driver’s license and health insurance
  • Interpreter and translation services
  • Counseling services
  • English language classes
  • Employment Services (after eligible to work)

 

PAND Settlement Services - www.pandsettlement.ca

  • Settlement Services for Iranian and Farsi-speaking individuals
  • Program connection
  • Employment support (after eligible to work)
  • Mentorship
  • Pre- and post-arrival supports
  • Language training

Settlement services are also available at:

  • Somali Centre for Family Services (org)
  • Lebanese and Arab Social Service Centre (ca)

Find your local Community Health Centre

https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-services/health-centres-and-resources.aspx#:~:text=Community%20health%20and%20resources%20centres%20%20%20,Merivale%20Road%20613-722-4000%20%2013%20more%20rows%20

  • Family doctor and health services
  • Community programs vary by location

Walk-In Clinics that accept the Interim Federal Health program (IFHP) – “brown paper”

Orléans Urgent Care

1220 Place d'Orléans Drive  (613) 841-5389

Monday – Friday  8:00 am to 9:00 pm

Saturday – Sunday  8:00 am to 3:00 pm

 

Restore Medical Clinic

786 Bronson Avenue (613) 416-1000

Monday – Friday  9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Priya Medical

117 Centrepointe Drive  (613) 226-2100

Monday – Tuesday  9:30 am to noon

Wednesday – Friday  9:30 am to 3:00 pm

Lamira Medical Centre

1395 Bank Street (613) 422-3477

First come, first serve. Call ahead to confirm walk-in clinic hours.

**All hospital emergency departments in Canada accept the IFHP.

 

Find a Canadian tax clinic: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/free-tax-help.html

 

Centretown Community Health Centre - www.centretownchc.org/programs

  • LGBTQIA+ Newcomer group (French available)
  • Health and Wellness programs, including a Trans Health Program
  • Outreach and support
  • Counseling
  • Senior supports
  • Social groups

 

Family Services Ottawa - familyservicesottawa.org

  • Sliding-scale counseling services (cost depends on income level – please call their reception to discuss)
  • Parenting programs
  • Walk-in counseling clinic

Canadian Mental Health Association - https://ottawa.cmha.ca/

Call: (613) 737-7791                        Email: general@cmhaottawa.ca

  • Mental health services
  • Addiction services

Immigrants Working Centre - Trades Gateway Program - tradesgateway.ca

  • Online portal to assist internationally trained tradespeople in the steps to licensing and/or certification for trades in Ontario

 

Mental Health 4 Success Program - https://fruitsfromtheroots.com/psychotherapy/

  • Mental health services for newcomers
  • In-person in the Greater Toronto Area
  • Virtual for Ottawa and other areas
  • Bridge to Registration and Employment in Mental Health Program (BREM) for Newcomer Clinicians

 

Ottawa Immigrant Women Services  - ( Women Only ) www.immigrantwomenservices.com

  • Settlement Services
  • Counseling
  • Childcare services
  • Employment services
  • Language development
  • Computer training
  • Weekly community activities
  • Interpreter services

 

Bruce House - Clients with HIV/AIDS and their families

https://brucehouse.ca/programs/become-a-client/

  • Volunteer Support
  • Health and Wellness programs
  • Outreach and support
  • Safe housing supports

AIDS Committee of Ottawa - http://aco-cso.ca/support/

  • Outreach and supports
  • One-on-one support
  • Social groups
  • Phone/computer access
  • Health promotion and therapies

Youth Service Bureau - www.ysb.ca 

  • Mental health walk-in clinics
  • Employment services
  • Health clinics and various walk-in programs
  • 24 hours youth crisis line: 613-260-2360

Good2Talk - https://good2talk.ca/ontario/

Call: 1 866 925 5454             Text: Good2TALKON to 686868

Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture - https://ccvt.org/

Call: 416 363 1066 or 416 750 3045

  • Mental health services
  • Settlement services
  • Language services and skills training

Refugee Resources and Services Ottawa

These resources are available to Refugee claimants.

 For asylum seekers: What you need to know: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/irregular-border-crossings-asylum/asylum-seekers.html

IRCC Refugees and asylum -  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/claim-protection-inside-canada/eligibility.html The Canadian government’s basic information on refugee claims, who can apply and how to apply. Also discusses optional work and study permits.

 

Guides on the refugee Claim Process and Criteria

My Refugee Claim -  https://myrefugeeclaim.ca/en/

Meet Gary - https://meetgary.ca/

Steps to Justice Refugee Law - https://stepstojustice.ca/refugee-law-steps-justice/

IRB’s Refugee Claim Guide - https://irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/refugee-claims/Pages/ClaDemGuide.aspx

Canadian Council for Refugees Infographic – please download the most recent version of the documents from this website https://ccrweb.ca/en/front-end-processes-infographic

Guide for Children and Youth - https://crcrefugee.ca/info-hub/

 

Interactive Programs to Help you Prepare for your Hearing

You can register with the following programs to help you prepare for your refugee hearing. We encourage you to participate in as many of the programs as you are comfortable with.

 My Refugee Claim’s Ready Tour - https://myrefugeeclaim.ca/en/ready-tours/

 Matthew House Refugee Hearing Program - https://www.matthewhouserhp.com/simulated-hearings

 Meet Gary - https://meetgary.ca/

 

Support and Mental Health Resources

 Legal Aid Ontario – www.legalaid.on.ca

Call 1 800 668 8258

 

Refugee 613 - Welcome To Ottawa Brochure for Refugee Claimants

https://r613.info/3Lqf1Za

 

Good2Talk - https://good2talk.ca/ontario/

Call: 1 866 925 5454             Text: Good2TALKON to 686868

 

Mego Nerses Psychotherapy - https://www.megonerses.com/

  • Virtual therapy services for refugees
  • Interim Federal Health program payments accepted

 

Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture - https://ccvt.org/

Call: 416 363 1066 or 416 750 3045

  • Mental health services
  • Settlement services
  • Language services and skills training

 

Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa - https://sascottawa.com/

Call: 613 234 2266

  • Emergency therapy
  • Group support groups and therapy
  • Survivor information sessions
  • Women and war peer group (all women who have experienced war violence of any type can join.)

 

Operation Come Home - https://operationcomehome.ca  

  • For youth separated from their parents
  • Employment program for those under 29
  • Drop-in resources for those 25 and under
  • Education support for high school, GED or applying for College/University
  • Housing support for youth ages 16 to 26