Finding free or low-cost community supports and resources can be difficult and overwhelming. There are many different programs and services for people of all ages across the Niagara Region, but knowing how to access them can be tricky. A great first step for anyone is to call or google 211. This is a free, province-wide service, available to anyone via telephone or online to learn about social and human services in your area. You can request specific information from the website, or a phone representative, answering calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, can direct you to services that help you.

Another useful resource is your community activity guide. Each local municipality has an activity guide in print and it can also be found online. These guides outline different social and recreational activities in your area. Also, your local library often has information on the different programs that they offer along with what may be happening in your community.

Portage Medical Family Health Team staff will also help you find more programs and services in our area. Just ask us!

211 Niagara:

• Website: https://211ontario.ca/
• Phone: 2-1-1

Activity Guide

• Niagara Falls: https://niagarafalls.ca/living/leisure-guide.aspx
• St. Catharines: https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/playin/LeisureGuide.asp
• Welland: https://www.welland.ca/Leisure/guide.asp
• Pelhem: https://www.pelham.ca/en/recreation-and-leisure/recreation-and-leisure.aspx
• Fort Erie: https://www.forterie.ca/pages/CommunityGuide
• Grimsby: https://www.grimsby.ca/en/parks-recreation-culture/leisure-guide.aspx
• Niagara-on-the-Lake: https://notl.org/content/community-guide-0
• Port Colbourne: http://portcolborne.ca/page/online_port
• Thorold: https://www.thoroldgroup.org/#
• West Lincoln: http://westlincoln.ca/?page_id=162

Libraries

• Niagara Falls: https://my.nflibrary.ca/
• St. Catharines: https://www.stcatharines.library.on.ca/
• Welland: http://wellandlibrary.ca/
• Pelham: https://pelhamlibrary.on.ca/
• Fort Erie: https://www.fepl.ca/
• Grimsby: http://grimsby.polarislibrary.com/
• Lincoln: https://lincoln.library.on.ca/
• Niagara-on-the-Lake: https://notlpubliclibrary.org/
• Port Colbourne: http://portcolbornelibrary.org/
• Thorold: http://www.thoroldpubliclibrary.ca/
• Wainfleet: http://wainfleetlibrary.ca/
• West Lincoln: https://www.westlincolnlibrary.ca/

Information gathered and prepared by Alison B., MSW, RSW
Clinical Social Worker, Portage Medical Family Health Team