The City of Markham partners with community agencies to provide resources, programs and support to all residents during these challenging times.
FIND OUT WHAT’S OFFERED
Residents who need to access, or are seeking information on social and community supports and services, should call 211 for non-emergency requests and information.
211 is a 24/7 helpline and web service that connects residents to social and community services.
211 is working closely with community agencies to ensure they are continually updating their database with the most up-to-date programming and resource information.
Community & Home Assistance to Seniors (CHATS)
- Order a meal, request transportation or request a check-in phone call: 905.713.6596.
- Order Meals on Wheels at chats.on.ca
Markham Cares Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donation Drive
Help our healthcare heroes stay safe in our long-term care facilities! There is an impending shortage in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in our hospitals and health-care settings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, the City of Markham is now accepting donations of PPE and is working with our service providers throughout the City to ensure that this critical equipment is put in the hands of our frontline health care workers in the community.
The City is accepting donations of unused, unopened and unexpired commercial-grade:
- N95 masks
- Surgical masks
- Surgical gowns
- Surgical gloves
- Eye protection (face shields and protective medical goggles)
Note: Homemade and previously used PPE will not be accepted.
If you or your business would like to donate equipment to help our efforts, you can drop it off at:
Markham Cares Donation Centre – Drive-thru
8100 Warden Avenue (north of Highway 407 ETR)
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday
Ontario Community Support Association
Helping isolated, low-income seniors and people with disabilities and chronic medical conditions across Ontario get meals, groceries, medicine and other essentials to stay safe at home during COVID-19.
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The Bright Spot by YMCA
The Bright Spot A free service provided by the YMCA that is designed for older adults/seniors and provides online access to:
- Activities: Keep your mind and body healthy with exercise classes, trivia nights, bingo games and more
- Social Meet Ups: Have real, live conversations with peers
- Learning Opportunities: Read or watch videos about everything from fitness to gardening to cooking
Learn more
Community Living – York South
A not-for-profit organization that provides supports and services to children, youth, adults and seniors who have an intellectual disability and their families who live in Southern York Region.
- Contact Information: 905-884-9110
- View Online & Virtual Service
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Ontario Community Support Association
Helping isolated, low-income seniors and people with disabilities and chronic medical conditions across Ontario get meals, groceries, medicine and other essentials to stay safe at home during COVID-19.
Learn more
Homework Help
Receive one-on-one homework support in various school subjects from the Centre for Immigrant and Community Services Immigrant Youth Centre. Contact infoiyc@cicscanada.com or phone (647) 456-1971 for more details.
Parents Support & Workshops
Meet other parents from the community and learn about different topics and resources to support children and youth. Provided through the Centre for Immigrant and Community Services Immigrant Youth Centre. Contact infoiyc@cicscanada.com or phone (647) 456-1971 for more details.
Free online recreation, culture and library programs
To help support our community during these challenging and unprecedented times, the City is offering a variety of online programming for free to all residents – helping support their physical, mental and emotional well-being while practicing physical distancing.
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Markham Food Bank
With the help of volunteers and donations, the Markham Food Bank offers food supplies and other basic necessities to community members in need.
Contact information: 905.472.2437
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York Region Food Network
Emergency food access services that are available during the COVID-19 crisis. Resources will continue to be updated as the situation evolves.
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Feeding Our Heroes
An initiative by Caterable Café providing fresh grocery and food boxes for pickup or delivery that can be ordered online.
With every Food Box you purchase, you are also donating a Food Care Package to a frontline worker or senior citizen in the Markham community.
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Many pharmacies will deliver prescriptions and in some cases, over-the-counter medicine and supplies to your home. Contact your medication provider for details.
Canadian Mental Health Association
Providing telephone-based supportive counselling to the community, to support people experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety due to COVID-19 and the impact that adapting to new social circumstances is having on their daily lives.
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Kids Help Phone
Canada’s only 24/7, national support service – offering professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French.
Whether by phone, text, mobile app or through their website, you can connect with Kids Help Phone whenever you want, however you want.
Call a counsellor: 1.800.668.6868
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BounceBack
The Ontario government has announced an expansion of online and virtual mental health supports, including BounceBack, to help Ontarians navigating the difficult realities in the wake of COVID-19.
BounceBack is a free, guided self-help program that’s effective in helping people aged 15 and up who are experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or may be feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable or angry.
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Telehealth Ontario
Offering free medical advice on all subjects relating to health. Please note that wait times may be long.
Call toll-free: 1-866-797-0000 or toll-free TTY: 1-866-797-0007
Learn More
Talking to Your Kids About COVID-19
View a list of resources to help families talk with their children about COVID-19 and offer wellness tips and strategies.
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Emergency child care services will be offered to eligible front-line workers in York Region so they can continue to provide services to the community during the COVID-19 outbreak. Child care service will be available for children from birth to age 12 at no cost. The Province has recently expanded the list of eligible front-line workers who qualify for these childcare services to include those working in grocery stores, pharmacies, retirement homes, truck drivers and others.
Eligible workers can apply online and find out more at york.ca/covid19.
A York Region Children's Services Representative will follow up with each applicant to confirm eligibility, child care needs, and next steps.
We’re committed to keeping immigrant families, international students and entrepreneurs, as well as residents and immigrant-serving organizations, informed about COVID-19 and its impact on our communities.
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While residents stay home to keep safe and help stop the spread of COVID-19, there may be added stress on relationships and family. For victims and survivors of domestic violence, including children, being home may not be a safe option.
The impact of the pandemic may also cause unsafety in homes where violence may not have been an issue before. If you are in an abusive situation and need help, please call 911.
There are community resources to help you through these challenging times:
If you are experiencing homelessness, contact Access York (Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM):
- 1.877.464.9675
- TTY: 1-866-512-6228 (for the deaf or hard of hearing).
You will be asked about your current health and recent travel history, and then referred to an available shelter.
Outside business hours, please contact an emergency housing provider listed under Emergency and Transitional Housing. This page also provides information about the locations of shelters or respite sites in York Region.
Rental processes for landlords have changed during COVID-19. Visit the Government of Ontario’s website to learn about updates for working with the Landlord and Tenant Board, collecting rent and managing expenses.
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