Services for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) Newcomers

An immigration and newcomer program designed for 2S-LGBTQIA+ youth who are newcomers to Hamilton.

Services include:

• monthly community kitchens
• workshops and social events
• peer support
• community referrals

Offers a space for LGBTQ+ individuals to join to cook and eat dinner, and create community and connection.

Offers cognitive behavioural therapy and stress and coping skills for LGBTQ+ youth and adults.

Offers a variety of movement classes including Dance, Pilates and Yoga.  Classes are offered on a sliding scale. Specific classes offered for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and for those who identify as Indigenous, Black, or People of Colour. Creating an online profile through the website is required in order to register.  

Serving the Aboriginal, Faith, LGBTQ, and Newer Immigrant population, plus the wide-ranging diverse demographic of the city of Hamilton. Providing information and awareness in the spirit of fostering and enabling healthy community relations between police and the communities served. The office also works very closely with the Hate Crimes Unit towards the dissemination of information as it relates to education, awareness, and elimination of hate-related activities.

Offers email information and referral services for trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary people in Hamilton.

Service specializes in referrals to gender-affirming health care.

A cooking and social support program for LGBTQ+ newcomers in Hamilton. Provides a safe space to learn and exchange cooking skills and budget saving tips.

Free ingredient kits are provided to participants.

Program is also called Mother Tongue Community Kitchen.

An immigration and settlement program designed for newcomer women, youth, and 2SLGBTQ+ youth.

Services include:

• peer support and weekly check-ins
• social events and conversation circles
• job preparation
• community referrals
• networking programs
• gender-based violence supports
• weekly events and workshops

Provides rapid, anonymous HIV testing, confidential STI screening (syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea), HPV vaccination (Gardasil 9 – available for men 26 years old and younger), and free safer sex supplies.

This program operates in partnership with Hamilton Public Health Services.

Bathhouse Testing

Central Spa, 401 Main Street West, Hamilton Ontario

(rapid, anonymous HIV testing)

• The first Friday of the month 5pm – 8pm
• The second Friday of the month from 12pm – 3pm
• The third Friday of the month from 12pm – 3pm

A community resource providing support, information and education, and community to people around issues of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Meeting attendance and discussions are confidential. Bus tickets may be available upon request.

A youth-led collective that supports the voices of young women, non-binary, and gender fluid in Hamilton. Offers events, workshops, art, and movement events, including:

• film screenings and discussion
• guided movement exercises
• activism and self-care workshops
• art workshops
• guest speakers
• feminist review discussions

Offers care for mental health and addiction issues to young people in a safe environment.  Clinical mental health care is offered in an early intervention stream, a transition support stream, and from a mobile team.  Drop-in counselling is also available.  The Centre has staff who are from the LGBTQA+ community and offers psychiatrists with expertise in working with trans youth.

Offers training opportunities and employment support for young women and non-binary youth.  

Services include:

• Up to 6 weeks of one-to-one job preparation support
• Up to 14 weeks paid job placement
• Additional supports for retaining employment
• Occupational Therapy support as required

Certifications may include: 
• Life Skills
• Employability Skills
• First Aid/CPR
• Health and Safety
• Smart Serve
• Safe Food Handling

Offers day camps throughout the summer for children ages 4-14.

Offers legal services, education, and system navigation to the LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit community in Hamilton. This is a francophone project that has an accompanying English component.

Services include:

• Training for community groups, service providers, and legal workers
• Public legal education that is culturally sensitive and delivered with accessibility in mind
• Legal support and services for disadvantaged queer clients

Provides women and non-binary people with the opportunity to reskill or upskill in advanced manufacturing or data science through certification training and additional supports related to navigating non-traditional workplaces and job development. All training expenses are covered by FedDev Ontario, and paid by YWCA Hamilton.

A weekly check-in program for LGBTQ youth in Hamilton. Speqtrum staff check-in with participants once a week to chat, listen, provide peer, and emotional support, and connect you with other resources in the community. Check ins are offered by messaging on facebook, instagram, or email.

A weekly peer support group is also available to those in this program. Peer support session are open hours when Speqtrum staff are available online to chat and help with community referrals, answer questions, and discuss programming.

Offers short term individual mental health support and counselling for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth ages 16 to 25. 

Offers support for women to help secure employment in the skilled trades industry.  Provides participants with technical training and job coaching with specific regard to machinist and electrical work. 

Successful participants will receive:

• Job readiness training
• Up to 16 weeks of in-school training
• 8-week work placement

Offers free programs for girls, non-binary, and gender-fluid youth, offered both in-person and virtually. Programs designed to build leadership, self-confidence, resiliency, positive relationships, and teamwork. Includes exercises that promote physical activity, nutrition and healthy eating, personal health and well-being.