Searching for Support Groups

Community-based rehabilitation and advocacy; affordable supportive housing for people with physical disabilities

Attendant Care Services -- non-medical assistance with activities of daily living

MODC Non-Profit Housing -- supportive care in 6 unit house, capacity 8, in Meynell House with additional houses around Ontario

Pop can tabs collection program -- proceeds support Assistive Devices Program

Home and Vehicle Modification Program, 1-877-369-4867 or 1-877-369-HVMP -- financial assistance (up to $15,000) for basic home and vehicle modifications for permanent Ontario residents with a substantial impairment expected to last one year or more

Acquired Brain Injury Services -- life skills, communication, community integration, emotional and behavioural support, vocational support, recreation

Conductive Education -- for people with neurological motor disorders; physical rehabilitation and education to train the brain and the body

DesignAbility, 1-800-263-3463, ext 7211

• volunteers work with persons with mobility challenges to craft creative, custom-built solutions to overcome barriers to work, play, personal hygiene and other daily activities
• no charge, except for building materials

LIFE (Learning Independence for Future Empowerment) -- skill-building transition sessions to provide support to young adults with a disability

Post-Polio Canada, [email protected], www.marchofdimes.ca/en-ca/programs/postpolio -- in-person and virtual support services, resources and information for polio survivors

After Stroke, [email protected], afterstroke.ca -- person-to-person support, educational opportunities and community-based programs designed to provide connection to other people, hope and life after stroke

Business and training services for other non-profit agencies

• adult day program
• recreational programs
• social evenings
• parents support group/workshops
• peer support group

• Adults with Epilepsy (AWE)
• Parent Support Groups
• Young Adults Support Group
• Partners and Adult Family Members Support Group
• Surgery Support Group
• Professionals Support Group
• Epilepsy Employment Group
• New and Expecting Parents Group
• Recreation Groups

• Adults with Epilepsy (AWE) - third Tuesday of each month, 6pm-8pm * connect with other adults living with epilepsy and learn more about epilepsy and share feelings and concerns.
• Professionals Group - First Tuesday of each month, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. * Meeting for Professionals working with epilepsy.
• Partners and Adult Family Members of People with Epilepsy Group - Quarterly on Monday nights, 6:00pm - 7:30pm * the opportunity to meet, connect and share with other partners living with people who have epilepsy * information from people who are faced with the same issues on how to manage
• Friday Recreation Group - This social group meets every Friday, 1pm - 4pm
• Surgery Support Group - Quarterly online, 5pm -6:30pm * hosted in partnership with Toronto Western Hospital's Epilepsy Program * bring together people with epilepsy who have done surgery with those who are considering surgery as a treatment option

• Young Adults Support Group - First Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm - 9 pm * a place where individuals with epilepsy can connect with other individuals to offer and receive support by sharing stories, resources and transitional concerns
• Parents Of Young Children Support Group - third Wednesday of every other month, 7:30 pm to 9 pm * a support group for parents to have the opportunity to talk about their issues, connect with others who are going through similar situations and share their resources and experiences
• Parents Of Young Adults and Teens Support Group - last Wednesday of every other month, 6 pm to 8 pm * a support group for parents of young adults and teens living with epilepsy to learn from other parents, develop effective coping strategies and decrease isolation by meeting others

• Adults with Epilepsy (AWE) - third Tuesday of each month, 6pm-8pm * connect with other adults living with epilepsy and learn more about epilepsy and share feelings and concerns.
• Professionals Group - First Tuesday of each month, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. * Meeting for Professionals working with epilepsy.
• Partners and Adult Family Members of People with Epilepsy Group - Quarterly on Monday nights, 6:00pm - 7:30pm * the opportunity to meet, connect and share with other partners living with people who have epilepsy * information from people who are faced with the same issues on how to manage
• Friday Recreation Group - This social group meets every Friday, 1pm - 4pm
• Surgery Support Group - Quarterly online, 5pm -6:30pm * hosted in partnership with Toronto Western Hospital's Epilepsy Program * bring together people with epilepsy who have done surgery with those who are considering surgery as a treatment option

Services

• introductory programs "New Beginnings" for newly referred clients with aphasia; "Living Your Best Life" for newly referred clients with diagnosis of Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA)
• volunteer led Communication Aphasia Program (CAP) - in-person and online
• conversation groups promote communication and conversation within small groups
• Toastmaster's Gavel Club, creative writing
• documentary program, virtual travel, Hear My Voice (karaoke style program)
• art programs, meditation program
• outreach program offers a 10-week telephone or video call with a volunteer
• community outings and volunteer opportunities for clients
• caregiver support groups for families and friends
• professional training and pictographic resources
• volunteer opportunities

Peer-peer self help group * fellowship * social and medical information, including online resource library * annual medical conferences

Eye Surgery Centre

• regional centre for cataract surgery

Prostate Centre

• diagnosis, education, support and treatment planning for prostate cancer

Specialized Geriatric Services

• chronic disease self-management program
• Geriatric Day Hospital - intensive outpatient rehabilitation
• geriatric medicine
• geriatric psychiatry and outreach
• Geriatric Parkinson Clinic
• memory clinic
• osteoporosis and fracture prevention

A personalized recovery program that helps stroke survivors and their families in the transition from hospital to home, working with and connecting them to resources and services that provide support, education, and participatory programming so they can reestablish their lives and achieve their goals.

Programs are designed to help with:

• Education: Learn practical and important information about stroke.
• Exercise and movement: Help improve physical function, strength, balance, and energy levels.
• Peer support: Connect with other individuals who have bee impacted by stroke to share experiences.
• Skill development: Re-learn and practice skills that will help in day-to-day life.
• Speech and communication: Practice improving speech and communication skills in a safe and welcoming environment.

Personalized recovery program providing support for stroke survivors, as well as their families and caregivers

• services offered both during and after their stay at the hospital
• provides a personalized plan for stroke recovery which is regularly reviewed and adjusted as needed
• connects patients and their families/caregivers with information, resources, and programs in the community

Peer Support Programs

Peer support during hospitalization:

• hospital-based volunteers (who are stroke survivors themselves) offer support by listening, sharing their experiences, and helping to find the information and resources the patient needs
• not available at all hospitals; see website for the list of participating hospitals in Ontario

After Stroke Peer Support Network:

• national network of peer support groups for stroke survivors and their families and caregivers
• online directory of virtual and in-person peer support groups across Canada (includes groups managed by other organizations)

Online peer support groups managed by March of Dimes:

• Stroke Community Conversation
• Young Stroke Survivors: Wisdom Circle
• Young Adults Living with Stroke
• Caregivers of Stroke Survivors
• Life Partners of Stroke Survivors

Education and Resources

Educational resources available on the website:

• articles and videos covering various subjects related to strokes, such as stroke information, caregiver support, mental health, research, and personal stories
• After Stroke Peer Support Toolkit available for individuals and organizations interested in starting a peer support group

Life After Stroke group

• weekly, two-hour online educational sessions for stroke survivors, led by a member of the After Stroke Team alongside someone with lived experience of stroke
• build confidence in managing life after stroke through guided learning and practice
• focus on health and well-being, including secondary stroke prevention, emotional resilience, and lifestyle strategies
• learn practical skills and tools on a variety of topics to support recovery and independence

Exercise and Movement Programs

Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP)

• 10-week online rehabilitative exercise program designed to improve arm and hand strength, coordination, and the ability to use the stroke-affected arm in daily activities

Virtual Exercise Program

• chair based, rehabilitative exercise program divided into three levels
• Level One: Foundations: for individuals who are primarily using a wheelchair for mobility and may or may not have good in function in both arms
• Level Two: Functional: for those who are looking to build on their current exercise routine; individuals may use a wheelchair or walker for mobility and may have some use in their affected side arm and hand and want to work on strengthening it further
• Level Three: Focus: for those who have exercised regularly but want to focus on strength, coordination and balance

• COVID-19: services and support offered remotely. Check here to find out what services are available.
• Clinical Services -- intake and assessment * early intervention services * behaviour and communication programs * social skills building groups * sibling and parent groups * parent training programs * family support
• Community Resource Services -- certificate training programs * workshops, lectures, community education (fees) * agency consultation * research * resource library, professional training
• Volunteer Services -- clinical and administrative experiences available * student placements available

A free call-back or email service available to all people living in Canada, where a team of Certified Respiratory Educators (CREs) provide support and advice to people with asthma and other respiratory allergies, as well as caregivers, friends, and educators. Topics can include:

• Newly diagnosed asthma
• Managing symptoms
• Managing Severe Asthma
• Avoiding specific triggers
• Treatment options

• warm line open for support and information (12-4 P.M. Monday to Thursday)
• peer led caregiver support group
• brain injury support groups for adults: women, mixed gender, people who identify as LGBTQI
• Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) groups
• On-line Gentle Hatha Yoga
• Social Drop-Ins
• Brain Injury and Justice program: assistance from supervised social work students to help people living with brain injury navigate the legal system - Ontario Wide
• www.abijustice.org - online toolkit on brain injury and the criminal justice system in Ontario *Information for lawyers and people living with brain injury available.

HIV/AIDS education, prevention and support, including information on HIV and STI (sexually transmitted infections) risk, sexual health and healthy relationships, and harm reduction

• community-based prevention programs for youth, women, and gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, trans and other men who have sex with men (MSM)
• community workshops, forums, outreach, training for professionals and organizations, and culturally specific materials
• volunteer opportunities

Harm reduction

• ​supplies and outreach

Peer support

Settlement Program
Counselling and support, needs assessment, outreach and prevention for Black, African and Caribbean immigrants and refugees, including LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning) individuals

• orientation
• information and referrals to community services
• assistance in accessing services
• assistance in finding a doctor and living with treatment
• assistance with immigration system
• form and documentation completion
• housing and employment help
• interpretation and translation
• social opportunities and networking

Member agency of Toronto Drop-in Network (TDIN)

• Active Living Programs for People with Dementia and their Caregivers
• CARERS Program
• Counselling
• Education and Training
• First Link Care Navigation
• Music Project
• Support Group for People with Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Support Groups for Caregivers
• Volunteer Services