York Community Services is a community-based charitable organization offering primary health care, legal services, counseling, case management, housing assistance, and community support to residents of Central West Toronto (former City of York). With over three decades of experience serving the community, YCS is a trusted partner in the delivery of broad community-based care. Over 15,000 individuals receive services at YCS annually.
As one of the largest health and social service agencies in York, YCS has a multi-cultural staff of 50 people and more than 200 volunteers. Staff and volunteers offer services in several languages, with special programs available to newcomers from the Caribbean, Latin American, Vietnamese and Somali communities. All services are provided free of charge under one roof and one administration.
Services are targetted to:
YCS was started as a demonstration project in 1973, incorporated in 1975 and received permanent funding in 1983. Major funding is provided through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Ministry of Community and Social Services, Legal Aid Ontario, City of Toronto and Health Canada. YCS was approved as a member agency of the United Way of Greater Toronto in 2007.
Integrated, multi-disciplinary services. As a multi-service agency, YCS is structured to assist people with complex problems. We employ a team of doctors, nurses, counsellors, social workers, housing workers, lawyers and legal workers to collaborate in the care of disadvantaged individuals and families. For example, a single mother having difficulty coping might be offered individual or family counseling, assistance with emergency housing, medical care, legal advice and information on income support and life skills training.
This integrated approach is especially valuable where there are increased health and social risks associated with barriers such as language, culture, race, disability, poverty, social isolation or age.
Health Programs include a full family practice, perinatal programs, psychiatric aftercare, community mental health, chiropody, family planning and preventive health care. Our health team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, mental health nurses, community health workers, case coordinators, a chiropodist, and support staff.
Counselling and Case Management Programs offer information on community resources, crisis intervention, individual, family and marital counseling, support and advocacy for adults with developmental disabilities, seniors’ case management, workshops, information and counselling for newcomer groups, and assistance and co-ordination of services for the frail elderly. Staff include social workers and counselors.
Legal Services provide summary advice, brief service and representation with a focus on income maintenance, woman abuse, tenant issues, disability entitlement and immigration and refugee matters. Services are provided by lawyers and community legal workers employed by the Centre. Legal Aid Ontario provides duty counsel for consultation two evenings a week. Our Housing Help Centre helps low-income people find and retain stable housing. In addition, the Centre offers access to the Rent Bank program, Share the Warmth grants, crisis referral to shelters and a Housing Search Clinic. A Streets-to-Homes program provides intensive follow-up support and case management services for individuals housed directly from the street. Health Promotion encompasses a wide variety of activities including community development, research, public education and health education programs. Services include outreach to newcomer populations and information on community services, employment and education. Activities range from individual services to community presentations and participation in efforts to make changes in public attitude or public policy. Group Programs focus on skills development, peer support, community integration and enhancing personal capacity. Programs include community kitchen groups, parenting classes, drop-ins for pregnant women and new mothers, culture-specific support groups, art and social groups for adults with disabilities and a community garden.