Give Back at a Local Level

A little support goes a long way—especially these days. Whether it’s with time or money (or both), if you’re looking to make a difference in our community you’ve got options; there are plenty of terrific non-profit organizations that serve the Newmarket area and beyond. Check out some of them here. To see more and find out ways to get involved, visit neighbourhoodnetwork.org.

aBUse hUrTs, abusehurts.ca This small-but-mighty not-for-profit works to significantly reduce the incidence and impact of abuse through education and public awareness. Currently, Abuse Hurts provides support to dozens of organizations, including children’s services, victim’s services, shelters, and other agencies that deal with tens of thousands of children, women, and men whose lives have been affected by abuse. The Centre also provides access to support, healing and individual empowerment for adult survivors, their families, and caregivers. It operates solely on private donations with no sustaining funds from any government body.

characTer commUniTy york

region charactercommunity.com Character Community York Region provides children, youth and adult character development programs and initiatives that focus on positive character attributes and behaviours that lead to personal achievement and success and build caring and inclusive communities.

Some of the services and events mentioned in this article may have been impacted by COVID-19. Be sure to visit websites for the latest information. commUniTy & home assisTance To seniors

(chaTs), chats.on.ca CHATS is a not-for-profit organization that enhances the health and wellness of more than 8,500 older adults and caregivers throughout York Region and South Simcoe yearly, through the delivery of high-quality home and community programs and supports. Offering a basket of wrap around services from Meals on Wheels, to adult day programs, respite care and transportation, CHATS strives to meet its vision that older adults can live independently, safely and well at home.

commUniTy living cenTral york, clcy.ca

Community Living Central York (CLCY) is a not-for-profit charitable organization that provides essential supports to people with intellectual disabilities. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, CLCY’s frontline staff has been working non-stop to ensure those with developmental disabilities maintain a healthy mental, physical and social wellbeing. Visit their website to learn about their #RaiseYourHand campaign.

deafBlind onTario services

deafblindontario.com Deafblindness is a combined loss of hearing and vision that impacts access to information, communication, and mobility. Professional intervenors connect the person with deafblindness to other people and their community as a communication partner. Headquartered in Newmarket, DeafBlind Ontario Services provides accessible residential and customized support services across the province.

easTer seals, easterseals.org Easter Seals has been providing support to children and youth with physical disabilities for nearly 100 years. Along with assisting families with the purchase of essential mobility and accessibility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers and porch lifts, it helps kids be kids by providing summer camp opportunities at its two fully accessible properties. In addition, Easter Seals offers post-secondary scholarships and provides access to information and resources, and public education and awareness.

girls inc. of york, girlsincyork.org

Girls Inc. of York Region provides girls with the necessary skills to overcome barriers, offering programs, workshops, counselling and mental health support for girls aged 6–18. Through an online platform, Girls Inc. has expanded its reach in York Region, implementing several new programs; Counselling and mental health support as well as the introduction of a food support programs for families facing financial hardships and food insecurity.

inn from The cold

innfromthecold.ca Operating since 2004, Inn From the Cold offers a continuum of support services, from emergency shelter and drop-by services to transitional housing. In addition to offering vital necessities such as hot meals, community meals, clothing, laundry, internet access, showers and personal care items, Inn From the Cold also offers a range of programs and services. These include helping clients find housing, employment and volunteer opportunities, as well as mental health and addiction support. Its numerous programs include the Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World Program and Friendship Circles as well as an employment social enterprise to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

newmakeiT, newmakeit.com A community-based collaborative workspace, NewMakeIt enables people to explore innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship from a 5,000-sq-ft. facility on Timothy St. For creators, there’s a shared space that contains pottery, arts, woodworking, metalworking, digital fabrication tools (perfect for rapid prototyping and/or small batch production). It also offers a community space where entrepreneurs, hobbyists and artists can collaborate and network with peers. Members and non-members alike have access to courses and workshops which vary but include things like woodworking, metal forging, pottery, welding and jewellery making. Check out their calendar for a list of upcoming classes and workshops.

newmarkeTfood PanTry

newmarketfoodpantry.ca Each month, nearly 1,500 clients turn to the Newmarket Food Pantry for a 10–14 day emergency supply of food, including fresh produce and canned, non-perishable items. Clients can also pick baby items, pet food and products, as well as toiletries. The Pantry relies almost exclusively on donations from the community.

norTh newmarkeTlions clUB, newmarkeTlions clUB

Northnewmarketlionsclub.com Newmarketlionsclub.com Newmarket is lucky to have not one but two Lions Clubs in Town—North Newmarket Lions and Newmarket Lions (there’s also a Lioness Club as well). Made up entirely of volunteers, club members organize, advocate, fund raise and volunteer to better the lives of those in need in the community. The groups typically act independently of one another but do occasionally run wider initiatives collaboratively such as Coats for Kids which provides free winter gear to families in need.

newmarkeTsoccer clUB

newmarketsoccer.com For more than 50 years, the Newmarket Soccer Club has been part of the Newmarket community, providing soccer programs for all ages and abilities. A Canada Soccer Club License Provincial Level 1 Provider, it has been recognized for being a high-quality grassroots, community, and competitive organization.

rose of sharon services for yoUng moThers, 905-853-5514, roseofsharon.com Rose of Sharon provides free supportive programs and educational services in York Region to pregnant and parenting youth (14–29 years) and their children (0–6 years). Offered online and onsite in a welcoming, safe and inclusive space, youth can continue their high school education, learn about prenatal care, develop parenting skills, increase child development knowledge, receive one-on-one counselling, and participate in our food security initiatives, including family nutrition workshops, community kitchen, and access family care package deliveries during the pandemic. Programs empower young parents to embrace their strengths, set goals and work toward building the future they envision for themselves and their children.

skills UPgrading cenTre, liTeracy coUncil

york-simcoe, skillsupgrading.ca Available free of charge to eligible participants, the Skills Upgrading Centre provides customized training programs to assist adults in York-Simcoe in improving their employment prospects, preparing for higher education, and acquiring the skills they need for a successful future. The Centre currently offers online and distance learning in computer training and soft skills development courses, customized reading, writing and math programs and GED test preparation, postsecondary entry preparation and skills upgrading for second career opportunities.

soUThlake regional healTh cenTre foUndaTion

289-319-3234, southlake.ca/donate Since the inception of Southlake Foundation in 1980, more than $200.5 million dollars has been raised in support of Southlake Regional Health Centre. Working with members of the community, hundreds of volunteers, corporate partners, event participants and donors,

neighBourhooD network

neighbourhoodnetwork.org The charitable arm of Magna, Neighbourhood Network works to multiply community giving by promoting volunteerism, linking resources, and supporting local charities and agencies with the goal of building better communities together. A significant connector in the northern York Region communities it serves, Neighbourhood Network matches volunteers to charities, non-profits, and community groups. It runs a number of popular community-focused programs and events, including the Magna Hoedown which has raised a whopping $14 million for hundreds of local notfor-profits and community groups since launching in 1987.

Southlake Foundation raises funds in support of Southlake Regional Health Centre.

Southlake Foundation will continue to support life-saving medical equipment, infrastructure upgrades and expansions, patient programs and staff education, all for the goal of providing leading edge care for patients and families, close to home.

Tlc The life cenTre

tlcthelifecentre.ca TLC The Life Centre provides free support and education to women and families facing challenging life issues such as an unplanned pregnancy and related stress, as well as family relationship issues. Through confidential, private psychotherapy and life coaching sessions, it strives to help clients overcome issues (such as anger, anxiety, fear, guilt and depression), develop healthy boundaries and set goals.

walk iToff sPinal cord wellness cenTre inc.

walkitoffrecovery.org The services of Walk It Off are so specialized that clients come from all over the world to access them. Serving those living with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and neurological dysfunction, it provides activity-based recovery, education and support. Walk It Off strives to improve quality of life and increase independence by maximizing recovery. The Walk It Off program assists clients in maintaining muscle mass and bone density to provide the physical foundation to compliment other therapy programs and to coincide with future medical advances.

women’s cenTre of york

region, wcyr.ca The Women’s Centre of York Region (WCYR) offers unique programming and services that address a range of circumstances to women who are in need of positive change. A driving force in York Region for over 40 years, WCYR supports women so they are able to thrive personally, socially and economically. It offers a range of programs and one-on-one support, to help foster meaningful steps and actions. All programs are provided at no charge.

york region food neTwork

yrfn.ca With so many people impacted by COVID-19, the York Region Food Network has shifted it priorities to focus nearly exclusively on food access programs, including a take-away breakfast program. Pre-pandemic they also offered workshops, events and classes, including their Community Cooks program.

advertiser index

a

Addison Marketing Solutions ....................2 Abuse Hurts.............................................41

b

BDO Canada LLP....................................38 Benson Kearley IFG.................................54 Best Western Voyageur Place Hotel........35 Bill Gosling ..............................................44 Burchett Law ...........................................58 Buchner Manufacturing...........................60 c

Canada’s Oil & Natural Gas Producers (CAPP) .....................................................39 Cachet Supper Club (Delivereh) ................9 Chaggares & Bonhomme Chartered Professional Accountants........................37 Community & Home Assistance to Seniors (CHATS) ...................................................40 Christine Elliot, MPP................................52 Comfort Inn .............................................37

D

Desjardins Insurance (Shobha Soobrattee) ....57 Deb’s Dips ...............................................30 Downsizing Diva .....................................30

e

Epstein & Associates...............................59

f

Farmboy ..................................................51 Fischer Custom Cabinets Inc..................68

g

GEM Health Care Services......................55 George M. Puccia, Chartered Professional Accountant, CA ..................38 Get Fillip ..................................................55

h

Hauley Accounting Services Inc..............36 Heart-Strings ...........................................40 Holistic Approach Store ..........................40 Hospice Better Living ..............................52

J

Job Skills .................................................48

k

Katherine Joy Interiors ............................56 Kempenfelt Windows & Doors ................65

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Millard Foster Thibeault Youell ................36 Murdoch Group Private Wealth Management ...........................................48 Metroland Media .....................................62

N

Newmarket Main St. BIA .........................18 Newmarket Public Library .......................41 NewMakeIt ..............................................43 Newmarket Home & Lifestyle Virtual Showcase.....................................21 NewRoads Automotive Group.................67 Nhance Canada - Newmarket and Aurora...............................................25

p

Palomino Law..........................................60 Pfaff Volkswagen and H.J. Pfaff Audi......42 Pickering College ........................44, 45, 46

r

Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home ..........50

s

Specs Boutique.......................................61

t

TD Bank Group........................................49 Trailer Parks Canada ...............................32 Trayvino Wine ....................................21, 25 Treefrog ...................................................53 Town of Newmarket.......................4, 16, 17

u

UPS Store 525, The.................................63

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Workforce Planning Board of York Region .............................................47