Youth Support in Ottawa
The following is a list of resources and services to provide youth support in Ottawa.
Free Services
Food Banks
If you are facing food insecurity, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ottawa Food Bank. Simply bring a piece of ID and proof of address when you visit the food bank nearest to you.
Click here to find your closest food bank.
Youth Services Bureau
Youth Services Bureau offers a variety of free services to those in need, including health services, housing services, and employment services. Visit their website for more details, or call:
Youth Services Bureau: 613-729-1000
24/7 Crisis Line: 613-260-2360 or 1-877-377-7775 (Eastern Ontario)
You can also find help online at ysb.chat.ca from 4pm to 10pm, Thursday through Sunday.
Youth Support Services
Youth Support Services (YouTurn) provides counselling and treatment services for youth in conflict with the law, and their families.
YouTurn offers a “Youth in Transition Worker Program” to support youth as they transition from the child welfare system into adulthood. This program provides housing support, educational support, life skills training, mental health services, and legal services. Visit their website for more information.
Center for Interactive Mental Health Solutions
The Centre for Interactive Mental Health Solutions offers online mental health services. Everything is done from the comfort of your own home, with an interactive tool that guides you through each of their 8 sections.
Start improving your mental health now. Click here to proceed.
Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre
Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre offers a variety of different youth services in the fields of education, healthcare, leadership and employment. Click on this link and learn more about their services.
Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre
Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre offers a variety of services for youth and children. These services include:
- Short-term counselling
- Crisis walk-in and phone help line
- Queerios LGBTQ+*
- Offers a safe place to meet new people. You can learn more about Queerios LGBTQ+* here
- ZONE Youth drop-in
- Offers youth a safe space to make new friends, get help with homework, play games and get a free dinner! Drop-in here.
City of Ottawa; Emergency Housing and Shelter Information
The City of Ottawa provides emergency housing and shelter
information to individuals and families who need shelter. Shelters offer meals,
shelter and case management.
Go to their website here.
Ontario 211: Community Programs and Services Directory
211 is a helpline and online database of Ontario’s community and social services. 211 is answered and updated by highly-trained specialists.
Topics include;
- Food
- Income Support
- Employment/ Training
- Government and Legal
- Mental Health
- Housing
And many more. Access the directory here.
Open Ottawa
A directory resources to see what in Ottawa is open and available by the City of Ottawa. See everything from what local parks or beaches are open to cost of rental properties by size and location. Click Here to start your search.
Low Cost Services
EquiPass
EquiPass provides reduced transit fares for individuals with a low-income. The cost of the adult EquiPass and the single ride fare is half of a regular Adult Pass.
You can check eligibility information here.
Ottawa Psychological Health Center
The Ottawa Psychological Health Centre offers counselling services. While they do not provide a free service, they offer care at a much lower rate than the average rates outlined by the Ontario Psychological Association. While a lot of their counselling programs aimed at youth have a waiting list, the wait time is far less than what other public organizations offer.
Visit their website for more information.
