Youth-specific help exists — use it
Most of what’s listed here is free, low-barrier (no health card or ID needed for many services), and youth-specific— staff are trained to work with 16–24 year-olds, not treat you like a kid or a full adult. A few programs stretch down to 12 or up to 29; noted where it matters, because “youth” funding bands in Ontario aren’t consistent.
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Cost of the services listed — free, low-barrier
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Youth crisis & help lines in one place
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One call to get unstuck — dial 2-1-1, 24/7
Three doors if you don't know where to start
Call 211 — free, confidential, 24/7, multilingual
A live navigator points you to the right agency for anything on this page. If you read all of this and still aren't sure who to call, this is the fastest way to get matched to a real worker.
Dial 2-1-1Walk into a Youth Wellness Hub
One front door into mental health, health, housing, education, and employment at once — no diagnosis, referral, or appointment needed to start.
Urgent tonight? Jump to the crisis lines
If it can't wait, go to the crisis & helplines table at the bottom before anything else. In danger to life, call 911.
Call or text 988
Why so many services overlap: the 'one-stop-shop' model
Toronto moved toward integrated youth services— housing agencies do mental health, mental health agencies do employment, and almost everyone does housing navigation. So you rarely need to find “the one right place.” You need to find one door that will walk with you — the front-desk worker is trained to navigate you internally or refer you out.Mental health & crisis support
You can self-refer to almost all of these. Look for “walk-in counselling” specifically — it means same-day, no waitlist (though a session may be short rather than ongoing therapy).
| Service | What it is | Ages | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario | Integrated walk-in mental health, substance use & primary care | 12–25 | Walk in — no referral or health card |
| Stella's Place | Peer support, clinical, employment, wellness & studio programs | 16–29 | Call 416-482-0081 x5 |
| CAMH Youth / Early Psychosis | Specialized treatment for youth experiencing psychosis | 16–29 | Self-refer; consults within ~2 weeks |
| Gerstein Crisis Centre | 24/7 free, confidential crisis support (mental health & substance use) | 16+ | Call anytime |
| Griffin / East Metro / YouthLink clinics | Free individual counselling, little-to-no waitlist for short-term support | up to 24–29 | Self-refer, walk-in hours vary |
| Good2Talk | 24/7 counselling & referrals for post-secondary students | Students | 1-855-242-3310 or chat |
| Kids Help Phone | Phone / text / online counselling | Children & youth | 1-800-668-6868, or text |
| Naseeha Muslim Youth Helpline | Culturally specific peer support | Youth | 1-866-627-3342 (Mon–Fri 6–9pm) |
| Black Youth Helpline | Multicultural youth helpline, multiple languages | Youth | 416-285-9944 / 1-833-294-8650 |
| Distress Centres of Greater Toronto | Emotional distress, isolation & mistreatment support | All ages | 416-408-4357 |
Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario
- What it is
- Integrated walk-in mental health, substance use & primary care
- Ages
- 12–25
- How to access
- Walk in — no referral or health card
Stella's Place
- What it is
- Peer support, clinical, employment, wellness & studio programs
- Ages
- 16–29
- How to access
- Call 416-482-0081 x5
CAMH Youth / Early Psychosis
- What it is
- Specialized treatment for youth experiencing psychosis
- Ages
- 16–29
- How to access
- Self-refer; consults within ~2 weeks
Gerstein Crisis Centre
- What it is
- 24/7 free, confidential crisis support (mental health & substance use)
- Ages
- 16+
- How to access
- Call anytime
Griffin / East Metro / YouthLink clinics
- What it is
- Free individual counselling, little-to-no waitlist for short-term support
- Ages
- up to 24–29
- How to access
- Self-refer, walk-in hours vary
Good2Talk
- What it is
- 24/7 counselling & referrals for post-secondary students
- Ages
- Students
- How to access
- 1-855-242-3310 or chat
Kids Help Phone
- What it is
- Phone / text / online counselling
- Ages
- Children & youth
- How to access
- 1-800-668-6868, or text
Naseeha Muslim Youth Helpline
- What it is
- Culturally specific peer support
- Ages
- Youth
- How to access
- 1-866-627-3342 (Mon–Fri 6–9pm)
Black Youth Helpline
- What it is
- Multicultural youth helpline, multiple languages
- Ages
- Youth
- How to access
- 416-285-9944 / 1-833-294-8650
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto
- What it is
- Emotional distress, isolation & mistreatment support
- Ages
- All ages
- How to access
- 416-408-4357
Walk-in windows close early
Most clinics stop taking new walk-ins a set time beforethe posted closing time. Call ahead or check the site so you don’t travel for a closed door.Housing & homelessness support
This is one of the most-developed parts of the youth system — because youth (16–24) are treated as a distinct, protected shelter population, separate from the adult system.
Emergency shelter (16–24)
Covenant House Toronto
96-bed 24/7 crisis shelter for youth 16–24 (incl. designated crisis beds for young women who've experienced trafficking). Drop-in noon–6:45pm daily; health clinic needs no health card or ID.
- Address
- 20 Gerrard St E, Toronto
Call first to confirm a bed — especially in winter.
Eva's Initiatives
Eva's Phoenix (transitional 16–24). Eva's Place (emergency 16–24). Eva's Satellite (for youth dealing with substance use / mental health).
YMCA Sprott House
Residential living for up to 25 young people 16–24 with a year of support; also LGBTQ2S-focused. Application + interview process.
- Address
- Walmer Road, Toronto
Email sprott@ymcagta.org to start.
Youth Without Shelter
Emergency residence & referral agency for youth 16–24 in North Etobicoke — shelter, mental health, life skills, and housing support.
Call and press 0 for emergency shelter help.
Transitional & longer-term
- CTYS TRANSitional housing — semi-independent living, up to 50 residents, stay up to a year before 25. Call 416-364-4716.
- WoodGreen Youth Housing Navigator — helps youth 16–30 find & keep housing; short-term subsidies may apply. Drop-in Wed/Thu 3–7pm, 2206 Eglinton Ave E, 7th floor.
- Friends of Ruby Home & YMCA mYplace — 2SLGBTQ+-specific transitional housing (see identity-specific below).
- Massey Centre for Women — housing for pregnant & parenting youth: 416-425-6348.
How intake actually works
Try a youth-specific shelter directly
Covenant House, Eva's, and YWS can often be contacted straight away — you don't always have to go through central intake.Or call Central Intake for system-wide availability
416-338-4766 or 1-877-338-3398 — the single access point most agencies point to first for a bed anywhere in the system.Not ready for shelter? Use street outreach
YMCA Streets to Home (Trinity/Spadina) and the Covenant House drop-in offer food, laundry & medical care with no overnight stay required.
Employment, training & income
The youth employment system is genuinely large — dozens of overlapping programs. The trick is matching the barrier level you’re facing to the right program, not just picking the first name you hear.
| If you are… | Program | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 15–30, out of work & out of school | Toronto Youth Job Corps | Free full-time paid prep, 6–24 wks: workshops + a real community project |
| 16–29, complex barriers | Toronto Youth Partnerships & Employment | Mobile case management — a counsellor builds a stabilization plan with you |
| 15–29, need coordinated support | Youth Employment Partnerships | One-on-one support, mentorship & training/certification links |
| 15–29, multiple barriers | Youth Job Connection | 60 hrs paid pre-employment training, job matching, paid placements |
| 15–18, want summer work | Youth Job Connection Summer | 20 hrs paid workshops, job matching, placements up to 6 months |
| Newcomer, 15–30 | YESS (Youth Employment & Skills Strategy) | Skills development + labour-market navigation into steady work |
| Indigenous / Black / POC / 2SLGBTQ+, creative career | ArtWorksTO | Equity-focused workforce program for the creative industries |
| Recent grad, no field work yet | PEAC (JVS Toronto) | Workshops, mentorship & employer connections (grads of last 3 yrs) |
| Coping with a mental health condition | YES Lighthouse Project | Pre-employment sessions + 12 weeks of paid work experience |
| Interested in trades | YES2Trades | 8-week pre-apprenticeship painting/drywall training + safety certs |
| Aged out of child welfare | Youth Works (Children's Aid Foundation) | Employment counselling, job-readiness, credentials & referrals |
15–30, out of work & out of school
- Program
- Toronto Youth Job Corps
- What you get
- Free full-time paid prep, 6–24 wks: workshops + a real community project
16–29, complex barriers
- Program
- Toronto Youth Partnerships & Employment
- What you get
- Mobile case management — a counsellor builds a stabilization plan with you
15–29, need coordinated support
- Program
- Youth Employment Partnerships
- What you get
- One-on-one support, mentorship & training/certification links
15–29, multiple barriers
- Program
- Youth Job Connection
- What you get
- 60 hrs paid pre-employment training, job matching, paid placements
15–18, want summer work
- Program
- Youth Job Connection Summer
- What you get
- 20 hrs paid workshops, job matching, placements up to 6 months
Newcomer, 15–30
- Program
- YESS (Youth Employment & Skills Strategy)
- What you get
- Skills development + labour-market navigation into steady work
Indigenous / Black / POC / 2SLGBTQ+, creative career
- Program
- ArtWorksTO
- What you get
- Equity-focused workforce program for the creative industries
Recent grad, no field work yet
- Program
- PEAC (JVS Toronto)
- What you get
- Workshops, mentorship & employer connections (grads of last 3 yrs)
Coping with a mental health condition
- Program
- YES Lighthouse Project
- What you get
- Pre-employment sessions + 12 weeks of paid work experience
Interested in trades
- Program
- YES2Trades
- What you get
- 8-week pre-apprenticeship painting/drywall training + safety certs
Aged out of child welfare
- Program
- Youth Works (Children's Aid Foundation)
- What you get
- Employment counselling, job-readiness, credentials & referrals
If your immigration status doesn't fit
Most City / Employment-Ontario programs (TYJC, YJC) require citizenship, PR, or protected-person status. If that’s not you, ask specifically for YESS / newcomer-stream programs or a settlement agency — some serve broader populations.Identity-specific supports
Some of the strongest youth services are built around a specific community. If one of these is you, start here — the staff already understand your context.
2SLGBTQ+ youth
The 519 (519 Church St) runs youth groups & housing referrals. Friends of Ruby (489 Queen St E) offers free counselling, housing, a drop-in with groceries, and gender-affirming care referrals for ages 16–29. LGBT Youthline peer support: 647-694-4275.
2SLGBTQ+ guide →Indigenous youth
ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency (culture, life skills, wellness, 12–24). Native Youth Resource Centre (housing, education, employment 16–24). Anishnawbe Health for Traditional Healers & Elders. Hope for Wellness line, 24/7.
Indigenous guide →Newcomer & refugee youth
WoodGreen Youth Wellness Centre (settlement + mental health). CMHA Opening Doors (counselling + pre-employment). Settlement.org is the general portal that replaced NewYouth.ca in March 2025.
Newcomer guide →Legal rights & free legal help
Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY)
Legal aid clinic specializing in the rights of children & youth against the legal, education, social service & mental health systems. Serves low-income youth under 18, and homeless youth under 25.
Street Youth Legal Services (SYLS)
A JFCY lawyer who does regular drop-ins at shelters & youth services across Toronto — advice, referrals or representation without going to a downtown office.
- Legal Aid Ontario — certificates for low-income individuals; eligibility depends on issue & finances (legalaid.on.ca).
- Duty counsel — free Legal Aid lawyers at every courthouse who advise same-day (can't represent you at trial).
- Downtown Legal Services (U of T) & Osgoode's CLASP (York) — free student-run clinics for low-income clients.
- Right to a lawyer in Youth Court — guaranteed under the Youth Criminal Justice Act if you're under 20 at your first appearance. If Legal Aid denies you, ask the judge directly to appoint one.
Sexual & reproductive health
No OHIP or referral needed
Toronto Public Health sexual health clinics and most youth-focused clinics do not require OHIP, a referral, or a specific immigration status. Care is free and confidential.Toronto Public Health Sexual Health Clinics
Free, confidential, pro-choice, harm-reduction-informed. No referral or health card. Multiple locations; the condomTO program also gives out free condoms.
Planned Parenthood Toronto
Sexual health clinic for youth 13–29 — comprehensive services including primary care and medical abortion, free regardless of OHIP.
Hassle Free Clinic
Free STI/HIV testing, PrEP/PEP. No appointment needed for routine testing.
- Address
- 66 Gerrard St E, Toronto
Evergreen Centre for Street Youth
Health & dental services for homeless / street-involved youth 16–24 — free, confidential, no OHIP required.
Also: Teen Health Source (youth-run info line, 416-961-3200), HQ Toronto (health centre for gay/bi men, two-spirit, trans & non-binary AMAB people), and the Sexual Health Infoline Ontario (1-800-668-2437, anonymous).
Food, basic needs & education
Food & basics
- Friends of Ruby drop-in — groceries Mon–Fri, no appointment; laundry daily.
- Covenant House drop-in — food, laundry, clothing, showers; no overnight stay required.
- 211 Ontario — searchable database of food & clothing banks by neighbourhood.
- Many Community Health Centres run informal food cupboards — ask at intake even if it isn't advertised.
Education
- TDSB alternative / adult programs — credit recovery & GED-equivalent options; ask a Student Success office or youth worker.
- WoodGreen Youth Education Program — school-day treatment for youth 12–17 with significant school challenges.
- Academic upgrading is bundled into many employment programs (TYJC, YESS) for anyone needing a Grade-12 equivalent first.
Getting in the door: what nobody tells you
The practical stuff that makes the difference between bouncing off a system and actually getting help.
“I’m [age] and need [a youth shelter / walk-in counselling / help with X] today. Is there space, a waitlist, or somewhere you can point me to next?”
Quick-reference: crisis & helplines
| Situation | Line | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency — danger to life | 911 | 911 |
| Suicide / crisis, any age | Kids Help Phone | 1-800-668-6868 |
| General distress / crisis, 24/7 | Gerstein Crisis Centre | 416-929-5200 or via 211 |
| Post-secondary student mental health | Good2Talk | 1-855-242-3310 |
| 2SLGBTQ+ peer support | LGBT Youthline | 647-694-4275 (Sun–Fri 4–9:30pm) |
| Indigenous crisis support | Hope for Wellness | 1-855-242-3310 |
| Muslim youth support | Naseeha | 1-866-627-3342 |
| Black youth support | Black Youth Helpline | 416-285-9944 |
| Sexual assault / abuse (women) | Assaulted Women's Helpline | 1-866-863-0511 |
| General service navigation | 211 Ontario | Dial 2-1-1 |
| Sexual health questions | SHILO | 1-800-668-2437 |
Peer worker tips
- Verify age cutoffs before referring — 16–24 is common but boundaries differ program to program.
- Youth may avoid the adult system for safety reasons; don't default them to adult shelters without asking.
- Use the one-stop-shop model on their behalf — one warm handoff beats three cold referrals.
- Call with the young person when you can; first contact with a shelter or clinic is intimidating alone.
- Keep Covenant House, YWS, and Central Intake numbers together — beds move fast and second options matter.
Sources
All sources accessed July 2, 2026. Service details change often — call first to confirm hours, intake, and availability before travelling.
- Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario — YWHO
- Services for Youth — Covenant House Toronto
- Where We Are — Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth
- Get Help Now — Youth Without Shelter
- Justice for Children and Youth — JFCY
- Sexual Health Clinics — Toronto Public Health
- Youth Employment Programs — City of Toronto
Reflects publicly available program information as of mid-2026. Hours, eligibility, and intake change — always confirm directly with the agency before showing up, especially for shelter bed availability.