Toronto
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Staying Informed
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update - Government of Canada website.
COVID Chatbot - this chatbot has a wide-range of info on COVID, including info on finding the closest services, mental health support, staying safe, and CERB qualifications.
Education
Toronto Public Library Free Online Courses - Free courses at Lynda.com, and at Mango languages, among others.
Coursera offers thousands of free online courses.
Milk Street Cooking School - this online cooking school is offering their courses for free (for a limited time).
Food
Share the Goods - Canadian-wide, the site connects people who need food, with people who want to help. You provide your contact information, and are matched with someone who wants to provide a one-time food delivery.
Pop Up Farmers Deliveries - a crowd-sourced spreadsheet of all the Toronto/GTA Farmers that are offering delivery services.
BlackFoodToronto - this group is helping individuals and families in African, Caribbean, Black Community In Toronto who have been affected by COVID-19 and need support in accessing food.
Food Banks
Haven on the Queensway | Etobicoke | Non-Profit Organization - The food bank will continue to serve clients by appointment and pick up only. Contact them at 416- 640-2005.
Parkdale Community Food Bank - The food bank is currently open regular hours. In support of social distancing, they have suspended the shopping model and are creating hampers for clients that are distributed at street level.
Scarborough Centre for Health Communities - Currently still operating with pre-packaged boxes/bags on Wed 12:30-3:30pm, Thurs 2:00-4:30pm, Fri 10:30am-1:00pm; Still serving clients with frozen meal options.
Good Shepherd Ministries - The meal program has been reduced to offer bagged lunches from 2-4pm.
The Evergreen Centre: Take-out lunch available from 12-2pm, Monday to Friday. Snacks and coffee available from 12-4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Covenant House Toronto - Although their on-site drop-in centre is closed, youth in the community are still able to access the food bank and receive bagged lunches/hygiene supplies.
Online Grocery Delivery/Pickup
Health
Ontario Family Doctors now offering OHIP covered Phone Consultations in response to COVID-19 - Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, family doctors are now offering OHIP covered phone-in appointments to all Ontario residents.
Cover Health – Virtual Walk-in Clinic - A digital doctor’s clinic that's free for Ontarians.
Mental Health
Massive Doc of Mental Health Resources - a crowd-sourced doc of free/low-cost mental health resources during COVID-19; includes resources around community support, meditation, arts, and therapy.
Ontario COVID-19 Mental Health Network - a volunteer network of Ontario-based mental health professionals dedicated to supporting frontline COVID-19 workers.
Jack.Org Youth Mental Health Resource Hub - Jack.org, School Mental Health Ontario, and Kids Help Phone have partnered to bring you all the information needed in one easy-to-access hub so that youth mental health remains top of mind.
Bliss - Free 8-week online therapy course for depression.
Headspace - provides free meditation sessions.
BetterHealth - offers affordable online therapy.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - has a number of resources directed at COVID-19 anxiety and stress, as well as online self assessments.
Free Live Virtual Meditation Classes - Offered every Wednesday
Good2Talk Student Helpline | 1-866-925-5454 - 24/7 Emergency counselling for students in Ontario.
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto | 416-408-HELP (4357) - 24/7 Emergency counselling for individuals in the GTA
Anishnawbe Health Toronto Mental Health Crisis Line | 416-360-0486 .
Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) | 1-800-663-1142- resource for Employees of the University of Toronto
Trans Life Line | 1 877 330 6366 - Support for trans and gender non-conforming people.
Young Street Mission - Ages 16-24: 416 929-9614 ext 2269, Mon-Thurs 10AM-4:30PM; Ages 25+: 416 929-9614 ext 3235 or 3239, Mon-Fri 10AM-4:30PM.
http://www.camh.ca/covid19gethelp - CAMH is taking self-referrals from mental health workers.
Physical Health
Adidas Runtastic App is providing 90 days of free premium access to their app, which gives free access to 260+ home workout videos and training plans in all 15 available languages.
A number of fitness studios are offering daily free classes on Instagram TV:
Childcare
Finances
Debt Repayment
Federal Tax Deferral:
June 1, 2020 - extended deadline for filing your personal tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency or Revenu Québec
June 15, 2020 - this still remains as the deadline for filing your self-employment return
August 31, 2020 - extended payment deadline for any taxes owed to the Canada Revenue Agency or Revenu Québec
More details here
COVID-19: Mortgage Payment Deferral. Homeowners facing financial stress may be eligible for a mortgage payment deferral up to 6 months to help ease the financial burden.
Income Relief
Housing
Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) Suspends Issuing New Eviction Orders - The LTB has declared that no new eviction orders can be issued in Ontario until further notice
Toronto Community Housing - Walk-in visits are closed due to COVID-19. People in need can call 416-981-5500 or email help@torontohousing.ca at any time
The 24/7 Client Care Centre can help:
With daily living needs, such as food and medicine, if you are self-isolating and need help
Emergency repairs (all non-urgent repairs will be scheduled for a later date).
Who's hiring?
Unemployment Benefits
Small Business Assistance
List of Toronto Businesses that are Open - Community-based list of local small businesses that are still open, organized by categories (such as Alcohol+Cannabis, Books+Games, etc.), and with links the business URL and delivery options.
Help with Bills
Bell, Rogers, Telus, and TekkSavy are waiving extra internet usage fees
Utility Bill Extension: The City is extending the due date for all utility bills issued by an additional 60 days
Loan Assistance
Canada suspends federal student loan payments during COVID-19 crisis. Students will be automatically enrolled into the six-month loan holiday program
Legal Assistance
Torkin Manes Legal Resource Center - the law firm has written a number of articles to keep people informed of the legal implications related to this COVID-19 (topics include insurance, real estate, employment, and cannabis law).
Law Society Referral Service - site for residents of Ontario to request a free 30 minute consultation with a legal professional.
Elderly (65+)
Toronto Seniors Helpline: 416-217-2077
Friendly Neighbour Hotline - University Health Network’s OpenLab is helping vulnerable seniors by mobilizing volunteers to deliver groceries and other household essentials.
Operation Ramzieh - The restaurant group, DreamMind, is assembling free food boxes that will be distributed to seniors in Toronto and Ottawa.
Safety for Survivors of Violence
Victim Services Toronto - All on-scene and/or in-person assistance to victims and survivors is temporarily suspended. Victims and survivors can get help by phone: 416-808-7066. If you reach voicemail, please leave a message. All messages will be returned.
Other Resources
Coronavirus Tech Handbook- a library for technologists, civic organisations, public and private institutions, researchers, educators and specialists of all kinds to collaborate on an agile and sophisticated response to the coronavirus outbreak and sequential impacts.
COVID-19 Research Resources Canada - a site for scientists & researchers, that provides access to reagents, equipment, human resources, and expertise.
Ontario Beer Finder - connects you to Ontario breweries that will deliver, helping you to support independent businesses and stay home.
COVID Waiting Time - this online map calculates wait times for grocery stores, LCBOs, and pharmacies in Toronto.
Entertainment
Netflix Party is a Chrome extension that let’s you have long distance movie nights
Donate Your Items or Money
The PPE Drive - Donate your masks, gloves, goggles, and gowns at Michael Garron Hospital between 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
For Businesses looking to Donate food - Restaurants and businesses that sell food are asked to donate unsold, surplus food through Second Harvest Food Rescue
The Stop - Donate money to provide emergency food to Toronto’s West End
Building Roots - Donate $5 for 1 fresh food basket, and they will deliver it to isolated people in the Toronto East community, especially Toronto Community Housing.
Seva Food Bank - Donate Food or Money to Seva Food Bank, which provides safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food to low-income families living in Mississauga
Better Toronto Coalition Fund - A site to pool donations with other donors to support organizations on the front lines.
Good Shepherd - Donate supplies for making sandwiches, toiletries, men’s socks & jocks (new only).
Operation Ramzieh : Crisis Relief Team - Donate money to help a local group provide free food boxes to the elderly
Presto Card Donations - a group is collecting presto cards to donate to essential workers. If you are an essential worker, you can also sign-up via this link. Donate Your Items or Money
Volunteer Opportunities/How to Help
https://www.sparkontario.ca/covid19 - Ontario-wide resources for volunteer opportunities specific to COVID-19
https://info.volunteertoronto.ca/covid19 - Join the Toronto COVID-19 Response Team
How can I help COVID 19 Toronto Public Group DAVENPORT HELPS – A Facebook community group offering general help to people who need it in the Davenport community.
Share the Goods - Canada-wide site that brings food to those in need; the site connects people who want to help, with people who need food.
Scientists to Crowdfight COVID-19 - If you have research/science experience, this group is looking for your help.
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