COVID-19 Resources for Students | Doc

Please Note

The list includes resources from the University of Toronto and community organizations such as Black Lives Matter TO, the 519 Community Centre, SURJTO, Mike Layton (City Councillor for Ward 11) and Jessica Bell (MPP for University-Rosedale). We cannot promise all links will be current and are not responsible for outdated content on external sites.

Updates from the University of Toronto

Latest Updates

For Students, Staff and Faculty

Financial Resources

Social Support

Virtual Hart House Some of your favourite Hart House programs are now available online including daily workouts, podcasts, creative activities and more.
U of T Black Students Association has compiled a letter with a list of ways to contribute to movements addressing anti-Black racism. They also have a Food Box Program and Resource Guide.
University of Toronto Student Life Programs and Services (Academic Success, Accessibility Services, Career Exploration & Education, Centre for Community Partnerships, Indigenous Student Services, Centre for International Experience, Graduate Conflict Resolution Centre, Health & Wellness, Multi-Faith Centre, Housing, T-Card and Student Engagement.
UTM Centre for Student Engagement
UTSC Department of Student Life Online Programs
UTSC Department of Student Life
Multi-Faith Centre Facebook with events/programs
At Home Engagement Options A running list of ways to stay connected to friends and communities.
U of T Emergency Food Boxes University of Toronto Environmental Resource Network is continuing to facilitate the distribution of fresh, locally grown produce to students facing food insecurity in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical students at U of T are offering childcare, errands for healthcare workers.
UofT Moriarty Lab is looking for scientists, Senior PhD students, and Post-Doctoral Fellows to volunteer for COVID-19-related research. Also looking for those willing to fill gaps anywhere whether scientific or non-scientific.

Faculty Specific

Faculty of Engineering: community room check-in twice a week via Zoom. Contact [email protected]
Medical students at U of T are offering childcare, errands for healthcare workers.

Student Crisis Lines

My Student Support Program (My SSP) | 1-844-451-9700. Outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578. Culturally-competent mental health and counselling services in 146 languages for all U of T students.
Good2Talk Ontario Post-Secondary Student Support: 1-866-925-5454 (to speak to a counsellor) or text “GOOD2TALKON” to 686868 (to speak with a trained Volunteer Crisis Responder)

General COVID-19 Updates, Health and Travel

Local/National/Transnational Health Resources

City of Toronto
Ontario Ministry of Health
Toronto Public Health
Re-Connect Map-based resource-finder for Toronto. Users can locate available services and supports in their communities. Organized by service type (essentials, mental health, employment/training, childcare) and priority populations.
Peel Public Health
Public Health Ontario
Public Health Agency of Canada
World Health Organization

Indigenous COVID-19 Resources

Canadian Travel Resources

Financial Resources

Provincial and Federal Benefits

Canada Emergency Response Benefit
Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
Canada Student Service Grant will provide up to $5,000 toward education costs in the fall for students who volunteer in COVID-19 efforts.
Indigenous Services Canada is providing Increased support for First Nations, Inuit and Metis students
Employment Insurance
Ontario Works

Toronto Specific

Toronto Hydro: financial assistance with energy bills.

Landlords, Evictions, the Law and Human Rights

Steps to Justice: Your Guide to Law in Ontario
Some FAQs. Updates on the law and legal services (including applying for EI, evictions, etc) Progressive Barristers: Rental Housing & COVID-19
Aboriginal Legal Services
Black Legal Action Centre
Resources for Workers and Renters from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Tenant Hotline: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am–6 pm | 416-921-9494
Landlord & Tenant Board: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5 pm | 416-645-8080
Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA) 416-944-0087 | [email protected]

Community Mental Health Supports

Crisis Lines for People of All Ages, Genders, and Sexual Orientations

Gerstein Crisis Centre (24/7): 416-929-5200
Toronto Distress Centre (24/7): 416-408-4357 or text 741741 (2 am–2 pm daily)

If you are experiencing abuse

Assaulted Women’s Helpline: For Women, Non-Binary, and Trans folks 24/7 | 416-863-0511 | TEXT #SAFE (#7233) on your cell phone. Call for access to Violence Against Women (VAW) shelters, counselling, support, and other resources.
1 in 6 Men’s Helpline Chat: For Men, Non-Binary, and Trans Folks 24/7 | 1in6.org/helpline/ Use the online chat to access counselling, support, and other resources.

More Support

Anishnawbe Health Toronto Mental Health Crisis Line | 416-360-0486 or 416-920-2605 (business hours only) Improves health and well-being with Anishnawbe Health Toronto traditional healers, Elders and medicine people, and other health professionals.
Anti-Black Racism and Mental Health Resources.
Black Healing and Support Resources in the GTA.
Hope for Wellness Hotline - Wellness Hotline available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, English and French. Online chat available or call 1-855-242-3310.
Talk 4 Healing is a culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Ontario. Women can phone 1-855-554-HEAL and the website has a live chat function.

Faith-based Support

Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto Online Worship Services
Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity is holding digital check-in and dhikr sessions for LGBTQ+ Muslims.

Community Financial and Food Supports

Re-Connect Map-based resource-finder for Toronto. Users can locate available services and supports in their communities. Organized by service type (essentials, mental health, employment/training, childcare) and priority populations.
Food Banks: Call 416-203-0050 to be referred to the closest one. Or 211
519 Community Centre Take Away Meals (LGBTQ+) (in front of the FABARNAK Café), M–F, 1 pm and 4 pm | Saturday and Sunday 12:30 pm.
Daily Bread Food Bank Online donations and food drop-off for the hungry.
For frontline healthcare workers: GroceryHero A free grocery delivery service to help frontline medical workers focus on fighting COVID-19. Volunteers are matched with medical workers in their neighbourhood.
Davenport Helps Matching helpers with people who need food/other supports in the Davenport community.
Food Rescue Online, local platform for donors of surplus food to connect directly with social service programs.
Good Neighbour Project Providing support, groceries and necessities for vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Email or call their Helpline.
OpenLab University Health Network’s OpenLab helps vulnerable seniors living in low-income housing through pick-up and delivery of groceries, food bank items and other household essentials during the pandemic. A single phone number/hotline facilitates connection to a network of volunteers. Volunteer intake form.
The People’s Pantry This GTA initiative safely provides and delivers cooked meals/groceries to specific communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Black Creek Community Farm Emergency Food Boxes (Jane + Finch Community) Available, and delivered by Food Share Toronto to your home. Priority is for Jane and Finch residents who need extra support at this time. Access Form. Limited supplies. Online cash donations welcome.
Actors Fund of Canada Emergency support for anyone working in the entertainment industry.
Unison Emergency Financial Assistance Counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community. For emergency financial assistance inquiries, please visit our website or call 1-855-986-4766.
People With AIDS Toronto Emergency Support (POZ, HIV+ COMMUNITY) PWA offers many practical supports including financial assistance, food market, vitamin supplements.
UHN Open Labs Friendly Neighbour Hotline (SENIORS & ELDERLY) Over 300 individuals offer assistance to the thousands of seniors living in Toronto Community Housing buildings across the city. They will assist with picking up essentials like medication and groceries.
A comprehensive resource for Canadian Artists, Writers and Media Workers.
Gladday Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S Artists, Performers, and tip-based workers.
COVID-19 Sex Worker Emergency Support Fund (jointly organized by Maggie's. Toronto Sex Workers Action Project and Butterfly: Asian and migrant sex workers support network.)

Ways to Get Involved

5 Ways to Take Anti-Racist Action during COVID.
Where to re-distribute your paycheque. Black Community-led Organizations in Tkaronto + Scarborough.
SURJ Toronto has created Collective Care during COVID-19: Advocacy and Resource Redistribution in a Time of Crisis (Toronto) - full of mutual aid opportunities, places to donate, ways to get involved.
Neighbourhood Map which shows “Mutual Aid Pods” near you.
In addition to starting or joining a neighbourhood pod or mutual aid group or network, there are many other ways to help out at this difficult time.
Spark Ontario and Volunteer Toronto are coordinating connections between organizations that need support and volunteers available to help out (including supporting remotely). Sign up at sparkontario.ca and volunteertoronto.ca
Canadian Blood Services are looking for donors to avoid shortages due to social distancing.
Kids Help Phone is looking for volunteers to staff their crisis text line.
Chinese Canadian National Council is seeking volunteers for their mutual aid program, to support immigrant workers struggling with the effects of COVID19
Toronto Bike Brigade.A group of volunteers on bikes ready to deliver supplies and friendship to vulnerable people on behalf of community organizations or individuals in need.
ACORN Support Network is looking for volunteers who are in a low-risk population of COVID-19 and have a car to be grocery drivers for the ACORN Support Network. Email [email protected] to sign up.
This collaborative community document lists MANY more Toronto-based groups, initiatives, and ideas for how we can support each other in this difficult time.