LOCAL RESOURCES
The following resources can help connect community members to local services, supports, and information. This list is not exhaustive and is intended as a starting point for finding assistance in Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas.
Need Help Finding the Right Service?
Connects people to community, social, health, and government services across Ontario. Call 2-1-1 or search online to find local supports.
Library and Community Information
St. Thomas Public Library
Connects community members to information, resources, technology, and community services.
Elgin County Library
Connects community members to information, technology, educational resources, and community services through library branches across Elgin County.
Income, Benefits and Financial Supports
St. Thomas Elgin Social Services
Provides Ontario Works, employment assistance, subsidized childcare, housing programs, and homelessness services.
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Provides financial and employment supports for eligible people with disabilities
Canada Benefits Finder
Search for federal, provincial, and territorial benefit programs that may be available to you.
Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)
Find free tax clinics and information about eligibility for income tax support.
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Find information about retirement, disability, survivor, and children’s benefits.
Housing and Homelessness
St. Thomas Elgin Social Services
Provides housing supports, homelessness services, and information about affordable housing programs.
YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin
Provides supportive housing for women, youth and women-led families, skills training and upgrading for adults, school age childcare, settlement services for newcomers to Canada, youth independent programs, supportive programs for survivors of gender based violence, aquatics and youth leadership programs and more in Elgin County and St. Thomas.
Food and Basic Needs
Southwestern Public Health: Food Programs and Services Guide
Information about local food banks, community meal programs, food box programs, and other food supports.
Mental Health and Well-Being
Reach Out 24/7
Provides crisis support and information about mental health and addiction services.
Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley
Provides mental health services, programs, resources, and community supports.
Child Care and Family Supports
St. Thomas Elgin Social Services
Find information about subsidized child care and other family supports.
Youth Programs and Services
ACT-i-Pass
Provides eligible Grade 5 children with free access to participating recreation, sport, cultural, and community programs across Elgin County and St. Thomas.
Ignite Youth Centre
Provides programs, activities, supports, and a welcoming space for youth to connect, learn, and participate in the community.
Youth Unlimited YFC Elgin County
Provides programs, mentorship, leadership opportunities, and supports for youth throughout Elgin County.
Employment and Workplace Resources
Ontario Living Wage Network
Find information about living wages and Living Wage Employer certification.
Employment Services Elgin
Provides employment supports, job search assistance, career planning, training opportunities, and employer connections for job seekers and employers.
Transportation
St. Thomas Transit
Find information about public transit services within the City of St. Thomas, including conventional and parallel transit services. Visit the website for schedules, fares, eligibility information, and service details.
Resource information is subject to change. Please visit the organization websites directly for the most current information about programs and services.