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Some services are available in a women-only setting, including but not limited to programs for new mothers, pregnant women, and those wishing to exercise in a more private setting. These services may include health and mental health supports, resources and information and opportunities to build new skills or access accommodation, food and baby items.
A recreational women’s baseball league where all skill levels are welcome.
A non-profit agency committed to providing hope, compassionate and informative assistance for anyone facing an unexpected pregnancy. Services are free and confidential. They include:
Provides free baby clothing and other essential gear to local families in need.
Accept used and new baby clothing in sizes 0 to 2T as well as coats, diapers, blankets, wipes, Vaseline, baby lotion, baby shampoo, diaper cream, new towels, and new or used washcloths.
Items that will not be accepted include used swim suits, used towels, used underwear, reusable diapers, stuffed animals, used toys, or any adult clothing.
Donations can be dropped off at one of three drop-off locations in the city. Please call for locations.
The Baby Depot collects, recycles, and distributes a year’s worth of gently used baby clothes and essentials to local families in need through a network of community partners. They do not distribute these items directly.
Offers free, confidential emergency service for women distressed by pregnancy.
Services include:
Softball program for women, consisting of 8 teams. New players must attend a rating clinic prior to drafting of the teams.
A drop-in for unsheltered women and non-binary individuals in Hamilton, providing access to meals, showers and basic needs, low barrier health care, harm reduction and withdrawal management services, safe drug use space (from 10pm-9am), systems navigation and shelter referrals, advocacy, care planning and coordination.
Services provided by Interval House of Hamilton at Women’s Centre of Hamilton and Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre. Provides support for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse including:
A recreational softball program for women. Aims to promote teamwork, friendly competition, and building of softball skills. Teams are sponsored by local businesses. Season runs from Mother’s Day until end of the second week in September.
15 low-barrier overnight beds to women, trans-, and non-binary people. Beds are available on a first come, first serve basis either by walk-in or community referral. Offers snacks and beverages, harm reduction supplies, emotional support, and assistance with finding housing.
Provides emergency shelter services and overnight accommodation for homeless men in Hamilton. Services also include meals and laundry.
Provides a place of sanctuary, safety, and support for women (and their children) with a variety of programs.
Family Court Support Worker Program
Facilitates a victim’s understanding of and passage through the family court system. Support provided includes:
A 40-bed emergency shelter for individuals and their children who are fleeing violence and abuse.
Programs and service:
Fastball league for women. Open to residents of Flamborough and surrounding area.
Gyo Geh Doh is a transitional supportive housing program for single women in precarious housing conditions. It has an emphasis on wrap-around supports.
Public health nurses and family home visitors provide prevention, early intervention, and prenatal support to at-risk families. Focus is on healthy child development and parenting skills. Services include:
Offers practical instruction and coaching programs to individuals, families, and groups to help promote healthy and independent living. Programs are designed to meet the unique needs of each client and group with the goal of developing skills in areas such as:
An emergency shelter for women and non-binary people, with or without children, who are experiencing domestic abuse and/or homelessness.
Services available for residents include:
Provides emergency supply of infant formula, baby food, and diapers to families with children aged 0-3 years. Assistance provided up to once every 2 months.
Offers legal advocacy support, information, and court accompaniment to women who have experienced family violence. Provides support with navigating legal systems when leaving an abusive relationship, including family, criminal, immigration, and child welfare issues.
A partnership between Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board and Good Shepherd that provides young parents the opportunity to complete their high school education, with on-site child care for their children.
Women’s group that supports the Legion and its members, as well as community groups. Also engages in social activities such as luncheons, euchre tournaments, and more.
Contact local Legion Branch for more information.
Provides a variety of services to help youth and families with mental health issues, behavioural challenges, or other complex needs, including those with a dual diagnosis.
Support is provided in-home, school, and/or within the community.
Provides comprehensive and accessible maternity care using a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. The clinic is attended for prenatal visits and Maternity Centre doctors are on call for delivery at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Also offers support and care in the first six weeks after the baby is born.
Other services include:
A community day treatment program for women who are pregnant or mothering young children and have substance addictions. Women attend once a week with their children. Provides the opportunity to access addiction and parenting services based on individual needs. Childcare is available for participants while they are at the program.
Provides support for newcomers who are pregnant or with a newborn child. Services include:
A prenatal and infancy home visitation program for young, first time parents provided by public health nurses. Program begins during pregnancy and for the first two years of the children’s lives.
Goals include improving pregnancy outcomes, improving child health and development, and improving parents’ self-sufficiency. Nurses provide support and education on health, child development, parenting issues, life goals and access to community resources.
Public health nurses are available to visit agencies and organizations, to further explain the program and the referral process.
Provides support for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence. Offered at a confidential location for up to one year. Services include:
A transitional housing program for young parents and their children for up to 2 years. Provides furnished apartments and support to young parents, with on-site programming and support staff.
Programs and supports include (but are not limited to):
A social club for women from all walks of life, promoting fun and friendship with like-minded women. Women over the age of 50 wear Red Hats and purple clothing, while women under 50 wear Pink Hats and lavender clothing.
Emergency services and grocery support for youth in the Hamilton community. Provides food, clothing, baby products, and hygiene items. Also offers nutrition and budgeting programs as well as referrals to Living Rock’s Wellness Works Coordinator.
Offers training opportunities and employment support for young women and non-binary youth.
Services include:
Provides women and non-binary people with the opportunity to reskill or upskill in advanced manufacturing, data science, or data analytics 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.
Provides services to help mother-led families earn college diplomas, start careers, and achieve economic self-sufficiency. Goal-oriented case management, cultural teachings, parent support, and trauma counselling is provided to participants throughout the program. The Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound program also helps locate permanent, affordable housing and subsidized childcare (if available), allowing participants to focus on the completion of a 2-year college diploma or apprenticeship.
A 15 bed emergency shelter, designed for women and their children, fleeing from domestic violence, dangerous situations, or experiencing homelessness. Assistance is provided for all women regardless of age, ancestry, culture, place of origin, sexual orientation, with or without children who are experiencing crisis in their lives.
Services offered include group programs, women’s abuse education program, referrals, assistance in finding safe and suitable housing, and traditional healing methods. Service is available for a time up to and including six weeks. All residents will receive meals, personal hygiene items, safety planning and assistance with plans of care.
Drop-in centre providing a space for women, trans-, and non-binary folks to receive compassionate care in a way that creates opportunities to build on their strengths. Access to laundry, shower facilities, a safe place to rest, meals, and harm reduction supplies, as well as art, games, and other social activities.
Provides a range of gender specific substance use programs, supporting women seeking change with their substance use. Operates a 26 bed facility located in west Hamilton that offers a safe, inclusive and caring place where all women, woman-identified individuals, transgender, and non-binary individuals, are welcomed and assisted by a specially trained team to assess and define next steps regarding their substance use and recovery. Part of the Shelter Health Network, Womankind Addiction Service was created in the amalgamation of Hamilton Women’s Detox Centre and Mary Ellis House.
Offers a variety of services to promote women artists in Hamilton.
Services include:
A monthly support group for women and adult female identifying individuals. Helps build connections through conversation, education, harm reduction and HIV/STI Testing.
A 65-bed residence providing safe, affordable, and temporary housing to women and non-binary individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, and violence.
Services include:
Students bring their infant to the classroom with them, where they work with a Secondary School teacher to earn credits and receive hands-on parenting support from an Early Childhood Educator. Students have the opportunity to learn alongside other young parents and connect with a variety of community resources such as the Ontario Early Years Centres.
Provides free in-home support for mothers with babies under 6 months of age to cope with the challenges of having a newborn, and/or for women who are at risk of post-partum depression. Weekly visits from a trained volunteer provide practical support, social interaction, and time for self-care.
Offers support for women to help secure employment in the skilled trades industry. Programs are offered at no cost, and provide participants with technical training and job coaching to start their career in the skilled trades.
Successful participants will receive:
An annual award that recognizes outstanding women who have made a commitment and a significant difference in their community by showing vision, creativity, and initiative. Nominations are open between November and January.