Immigration & Refugee Support
IRCC. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Official government portal for refugee claims, permanent residence, work permits, and family sponsorship.
Resources
Resources
Support, tools, and trusted information, all in one place for Spanish-speaking Latinx LGBTQ+ refugees and newcomers.
Immigration & Refugee Support
Official IRCC information, refugee claim guidance, and trusted legal clinics for asylum seekers and newcomers.
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- Immigration & Refugee Support
FCJ Refugee Centre
Support for people navigating the refugee process: legal info, settlement services, and a welcoming drop-in space.
- Immigration & Refugee Support
Rainbow Refugee Society
National organization supporting LGBTQ+ refugees and private sponsorship groups.
- Immigration & Refugee Support
JIAS Toronto. Newcomer Services
Rights and responsibilities workshops, settlement counselling, and refugee-claimant support.
Housing & Shelter
Emergency shelter access, LGBTQ+-affirming housing options, and support for when you're in an unsafe living situation.
- Housing & Shelter
211 Ontario. Housing Help
Directory of shelters, affordable housing, and crisis supports across Ontario.
- Housing & Shelter
Central Intake Toronto
Access to emergency shelter and temporary accommodation in Toronto, available 24/7.
- Housing & Shelter
Sprott House. YMCA
Transitional housing for LGBTQ2S+ youth ages 16–24 in Toronto.
- Housing & Shelter
Friends of Ruby Home
Transitional housing and wraparound support for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Applications may close; emergency beds go through Central Intake.
- Housing & Shelter
Streets to Homes
City of Toronto outreach helping people move from the street into permanent housing.
Legal Support
Free legal help for immigration, tenant rights, family law, and other legal issues, including lawyers familiar with LGBTQ+ and refugee cases.
- Legal Support
Legal Aid Ontario
Free legal help for low-income individuals, including refugee claims and family law.
- Legal Support
Parkdale Community Legal Services
Free legal help on immigration, housing, social assistance, and workers' rights.
- Legal Support
Refugee Law Office
Legal Aid Ontario clinic specializing in refugee and immigration law.
- Legal Support
Law Society of Ontario. Referral Service
Free 30-minute consultation with a lawyer or paralegal in the area you need.
- Legal Support
Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
Plain-language legal guides in multiple languages: rights, process, and what to expect.
Healthcare & Trans Health
Whether you have OHIP, are an IFHP refugee claimant, or have no coverage at all, there is care here for you. Below: LGBTQ+-affirming providers, trans health programs, sexual health, sliding-scale clinics, and HIV/AIDS services. If your situation isn't covered, reach out and we'll help you find a door that opens.
- Healthcare & Trans Health
Sherbourne Health. LGBTQ+ Services
Affirming primary care, trans health program, and mental health support.
- Healthcare & Trans Health
Rainbow Health Ontario
Provincial directory of LGBTQ+-affirming providers and training for healthcare workers.
- Healthcare & Trans Health
Women's College Hospital. Bay Centre
Trans-affirming primary care and gender-affirming hormone assessments.
- Healthcare & Trans Health
Hassle Free Clinic
Free, barrier-free STI testing, PrEP, and sexual health care. No OHIP required.
- Healthcare & Trans Health
Access Alliance
Community health centre serving refugees, newcomers, and people without OHIP.
- Healthcare & Trans Health
Casey House
Specialized HIV/AIDS hospital and community programs: affirming, stigma-free care.
Mental Health & Crisis Lines
Crisis lines (some with Spanish or multilingual support), peer counselling, and long-term therapy options designed for LGBTQ+ and newcomer communities.
- Mental Health & Crisis Lines
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto
24/7 crisis line. Emotional support in English, with multilingual options available.
- Mental Health & Crisis Lines
Gerstein Crisis Centre
24/7 mental health crisis support for adults in Toronto: phone and mobile team.
- Mental Health & Crisis Lines
CAMH Access Line
Information, assessment, and referrals for mental health and addiction services.
- Mental Health & Crisis Lines
Trans Lifeline (Canada)
Peer-run support line by and for trans people. Monday–Friday, 1–9 PM Eastern; English and Spanish available.
- Mental Health & Crisis Lines
LGBT YouthLine
Peer support by text and chat for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Ontario. Text 647-694-4275, Sunday–Friday evenings.
- Mental Health & Crisis Lines
Hope for Wellness Helpline
24/7 mental health support for Indigenous people, available in several languages.
- Mental Health & Crisis Lines
Counselling at The 519
Free short-term counselling and peer support groups for LGBTQ2S+ communities.
Food Security
Food banks, community kitchens, and newcomer-friendly programs that provide groceries and hot meals. No ID needed at most locations.
- Food Security
Daily Bread Food Bank
Find a nearby food bank in Toronto. No ID required at most locations.
- Food Security
Second Harvest
Food rescue network for charities and nonprofits running food programs; useful for partner referrals, not individual emergency pickup.
- Food Security
FoodShare Toronto
Affordable produce boxes, community gardens, and school food programs.
- Food Security
The Stop Community Food Centre
Food bank, community kitchen, and drop-in meals with dignity at the centre.
- Food Security
FCJ Refugee Centre. Food Bank
Food bank serving refugee claimants and newcomers, including those without status.
Employment & Career
Newcomer-focused job search support, credential recognition, resume help, and language training paired with career coaching.
- Employment & Career
YMCA Employment Services
Employment counselling, résumé help, and employer connections.
- Employment & Career
ACCES Employment
Programs for newcomers including bridging, mentoring, and sector-specific training.
- Employment & Career
COSTI Immigrant Services
Employment, settlement, and language services for newcomers in the GTA.
- Employment & Career
TRIEC. Mentoring Partnership
Matches skilled newcomers with professional mentors in their field.
Language & Education
Free English and French classes, settlement-focused language learning, and pathways to continued education for adults.
- Language & Education
LINC. Language Instruction for Newcomers
Free English classes for permanent residents and protected persons.
- Language & Education
TDSB. Adult ESL
Free English as a Second Language classes for adults at sites across Toronto.
- Language & Education
CLB Online Placement Test
Free online placement test to enroll in LINC or CLIC language classes.
- Language & Education
Toronto Public Library. Newcomer Services
Free language learning, settlement workshops, and a library card without ID in many cases.
Community & Belonging
LGBTQ+ and newcomer-serving community centres where you can meet others, access drop-in programs, and feel less alone.
- Community & Belonging
The 519
LGBTQ2S+ community centre with drop-ins, refugee programs, and multilingual resources.
- Community & Belonging
2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations
Programs and community for Two-Spirit, Indigenous LGBTQ+ folks in Toronto.
- Community & Belonging
Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
Indigenous community, cultural, and social programs open to all community members.
Emergency Contacts
Emergency Contacts
If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, please call 911 or reach out to one of these 24/7 crisis lines.
- Emergency Contacts
911. Emergency
Police, ambulance, fire. Immediate response.
- Emergency Contacts
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
24/7 phone and text support for suicidal thoughts or hopelessness. Translation support can be requested.
- Emergency Contacts
Assaulted Women's Helpline
Crisis support for women and trans folks facing violence. Multilingual, 24/7.
- Emergency Contacts
Victim Services Toronto
24/7 support for people affected by crime, tragedy, or violence.
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