Community Support Services

We are here to help you find the support you need - whether it is a service we provide, another agency provides, or to help you problem-solve. See more information about our services below, and contact us by phone at 705-457-2941 or by text at 705-457-0016 (Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM) or anytime at infocc@hhhs.ca.

Access to Food

Food Banks & Free Frozen Meals

All Haliburton County food banks (Central Food Network, Minden Food Bank, and Haliburton 4C's Food Bank) are open and can assist anyone who is in need of emergency food - you do not need to be an existing client. Pre-packed boxes of food are being made up and placed outside the door for people to pick-up to minimize contact between people.

SIRCH Community Services is offering 'Lunch is On Us', a free, hot take-out lunch every Wednesday from 11:30 AM - 2 PM at 49 Maple Avenue in Haliburton, while supplies last.

Download the Haliburton County FoodNet “Food for All” brochure to find free and low cost food in our County, and to get in touch with our local food banks. Please note that some food programs such as community suppers and the Diner's Club have been temporarily cancelled.

Grocery Gift Cards for Youth & Families with Children

Point in Time, in partnership with Food 4 Kids and other funders, is providing gift cards for groceries and gas, as well as phone cards and a limited number of refurbished phones for  youth and families with children in need. Call 705-457-5345, text 705-306-5199, or email info@pointintime.ca.

Local Grocery Stores

Local stores are implementing safety precautions and some are offering online or phone orders for pick-up or delivery. Store hours may have changed, and some stores have created senior shopping hours. Contact your local store directly for more information.

• Todd’s Independent (Haliburton)
  • 705-455-9775
• Haliburton Foodland
  • 705-457-2242
• Minden Dollo’s Foodland
  • 705-286-1121
• Wilberforce Foodland
  • 705-448-2811
• Haliburton Supplements and Bulk Food
  • 705-457-1456
• Agnew’s General Store
  • 705-448-2211
• Abbey Gardens
  • 705-754-4769
• Eagle Lake Country Market 
  • 705-754-2538
• Minden Easton’s Valu-Mart
  • 705-286-6032
• West Guilford Shopping Centre
  • 705-754-2162

HHHS - Community Support Services

The Community Support Services Response Team was activated in early March 2020 to ensure our community needs are met during this time, and continues to operate today (as of February 2022). While some CSS programs have been paused or have moved online, services still available include:

• Arranging for frozen Meals on Wheels to be delivered to your home
• Medical transportation - non-urgent transportation for medical appointments continues to be provided through our volunteer driving program. Please provide as much advance notice as possible when requesting a trip.
• The Emergency Response System - providing personal buttons to alert emergency contacts (and EMS if necessary) if a client is in distress
• Friendly Visiting & Security Checks - can be done daily via phone or as requested/required by clients and caregivers, and the CSS team is exploring options to provide virtual connections to reduce social isolation
• Virtual Balanced Fitness classes combining gentle seated and standing strength, balance, and light aerobic exercise for older adults. Click here to visit the YouTube page for videos.

All program teams (such as Mental Health, GAIN, Diabetes Education, Supportive Housing, and Hospice Palliative Care) continue to intake and support clients.

Contact HHHS - CSS by phone 705-457-2941 or by text at 705-457-0016 (Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM), or by email at infocc@hhhs.ca anytime.

Getting Connected in Haliburton County

Access to Free WiFi

There are a number of free wireless internet hotspots throughout the County of Haliburton. Residents are asked to continue practicing safe physical distancing. Click on the municipality name below to download a list of locations:

• Algonquin Highlands
• Dysart et al
• Highlands East
• Minden Hills

Access to Internet-Capable Devices

Do you know of any Children, Youth or Families in Haliburton County who are in need of phone or internet? Call Point in Time at 705-457-5345 ext. 301 for details.

Access to the Internet

People receiving financial help through Social Services might be able to get help with their internet costs. If having an internet connection would help you follow through in your employment plan, your Caseworker might be able to help with that cost. To find out more, contact your Caseworker at Social Services.

Need Support to Get Connected?

Contact HHHS - Community Support Services to let us know if you are in need of technology, internet access, or training in order to get online and connected. Contact us by phone at 705-457-2941 or by text at 705-457-0016 (Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM) or anytime at infocc@hhhs.ca.

Other Local Support Services

EarlyON Child and Family Centres continues to offer weekly programs, activities, and resources for families, caregivers, and their children (ages birth to 6) online. Please check their Facebook page or visit www.oeyc.ca for up-to-date information on all programs, or call them at 705-324-7900.

Point in Time is continuing to provide parenting support, Infant and Child Development, Resource Teachers, youth justice and additional supports to children, youth and parents. Visit pointintime.ca, their Facebook page or the Facebook page for the Haliburton County Youth Hub, or contact them at 705-457-5345 or info@pointintime.ca

A Place Called Home has closed their office to the public, but continues to operate their shelter and some outreach activities. If you are experiencing homelessness or are working with individuals experiencing homelessness, contact A Place Called Home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 705-328-0905.  You can also email info@apch.ca for more information.

Heat Bank Haliburton County is still operating with services available by phone, text, and email. Wood deliveries are occurring, but recipients are asked to remain in their houses while volunteers unload the wood. Contact Tina Jackson at 705-306-0565 or heatbank@centralfoodnetwork.org.

The YWCA’s Women’s Centre of Haliburton County is closed to the public, but support appointments continue to be available by phone at 705-286-1942 and HERS (Haliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace) remains open. Confidential crisis and supportive assistance is also available by phone or text 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reached at 1-800-461-7656 or by text at 705-991-0110. Call or text if you are concerned about your safety and your children's safety, are ready to leave and wonder if there is a safe place to go, would like to find out more so you can refer a friend or family member, or if you would like to speak to someone about your options.

The John Howard Society of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton has closed their offices, but are available by phone (leave a message and it will be returned) at 705-328-0472 ext. 931 or by email at lpowers@jhscklh.on.ca.

The Community Legal Clinic - Simcoe, Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes is operating. If you are not already a client, please contact intake staff at 1-800-461-8953, ext. 34. Current clients can contact Lisa Loader, Staff Lawyer by calling or texting 705-879-3610 or by email at loaderl@lao.on.ca.

Community Living Trent Highlands has closed all outreach programs, including family support services, in Lindsay, Haliburton & Peterborough until further notice. Local families can contact Tim Tofflemire at 705-455-2995, by text at the same number, or by email at ttofflemire@clth.ca.

The Brain Injury Association is supporting clients remotely by phone, text, and email, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Voicemail is being monitored at 705-741-1172.

Canopy Support Services are available by phone or text. Contact them at 1-888-616-3456 for more information, or if you are receiving Adult Protective Services, reach out to your Adult Protective Service Worker (APSW) via phone, text or email.

Fleming College Academic Upgrading locations are closed, but services are continuing as best as possible. Students or potential students can call 705-457-4562, text 705-243-3136, or email marion.willemsen@flemingcollege.ca.

The Fleming CREW Employment Centre office at 49 Maple Ave, Haliburton is currently closed, but Employment & Training Consultants are helping job seekers and employers remotely Monday to Friday, between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Contact them to schedule an appointment by phone at 705-457-2020, by text at 705-243-3136, or by email at flemingcrew@flemingcollege.ca.

Canadian Hearing Services is providing virtual services by phone, email, or through the Ontario Telemedicine Network for the Deaf and hard of hearing, including mental health counselling, employment services, hearing care counselling, and general support. Contact them at 1-866-518-0000 or for TTY, at 1-877-215-9530.

Kawartha Haliburton Children's Aid Society has closed their Haliburton and Lindsay offices, but staff continue to deliver services and remain focused on ensuring the safety, protection and well-being of children and youth as well as strengthening families. Face-to-face contact is being limited, but if required, screening questions will be asked in advance of any meeting with a child, youth, or family. Contact them 24/7 at 1-800-661-2843.

Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lake, Northumberland, Haliburton is offering supports online and through the phone or by email. All staff are working remotely, and phone messages will be responded to within 2 business days. Contact them at 1-800-765-0515 or by email at info@alzheimerjourney.ca.

As of December 26, 2020, the Haliburton County Public Library is offering curbside service at all branches during operating hours (click here for a listing of hours and instructions) and online programs through Facebook and on YouTube. The Administration Centre remains closed to the public, but can still be reached at 705-457-2241 or info@haliburtonlibrary.ca.

The Pregnancy Care & Family Support Centre remains open, with COVID screenings done by calling/texting 705-457-4673 or emailing hope@haliburtonpregnancycentre.ca. Their Clothes Closet is fully stocked with sizes newborn to 3, and they carry diapers in all sizes as well as formula. When available, items such as cribs, strollers, high chairs, play pens, exersaucers, bouncy seats are also offered.

Local Wellness Resources

While practicing physical distancing, it's important to stay active and socially connected. Here are some additional local resources developed to help Haliburton County residents manage their well-being during this time.

• Holness Yoga - Online classes, with proceeds being donated to HHHS (plus a free breathing exercise available to download)
• Keep Moving With Jane - Balance training & exercises for older adults.
• Music From Home - Acoustic music from artists near & far.
• Haliburton Folk Online - Live streaming concerts of local artists, hosted by the Haliburton County Folk Society.
• Activities for All Ages - Online programming from the Haliburton County Public Library.
• Haliburton Yoga - Online yoga and meditation practice from Lynda Shadbolt.
• Virtual Balanced Fitness - Combining gentle seated and standing strength, balance, and light aerobic exercise for older adults from HHHS - Community Support Services.

Other Local Volunteer Supports

Neighbours Helping Neighbours is a volunteer COVID-19 support network offering support throughout Haliburton County. Over 25 eager volunteers can assist with outdoor chores (lifting heavy items, raking, piling wood), pick-up and delivery (shopping, mail, takeout food, or food from local organizations), and phone or email check-ins. For more information, contact bonnieroe08@gmail.com or call 705-286-2414.