Common 211 Calls

 

I have no job and no money.  Where can I call to get financial support?
 
Alberta Works - Income Support provides financial benefits to individuals and families who do not have the resources to meet their basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter.  This assistance program is administered through Alberta Employment and Immigration (AEI). To apply for Income Support, call your nearest AEI office for an appointment. Contact info for these offices is available at 2-1-1 or you may call the Income Support Contact Centre in Edmonton at 780-644-5135 for more information.  You can also go to www.employment.alberta.ca and click on Family Supports to learn more about the Income Support program. 
 
 
I’m going through a rough time right now.  Where can I get food for my family?
 
You can call Edmonton’s Food Bank (Edmonton Gleaners Association) for information on getting a food hamper.  Their number is 780-425-4190.  This is a very busy line and you may have to phone several times before you get through.  They take calls from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Mon – Fri.  They will be able to tell you where and when you can go to pick up a food hamper.   Depots are located throughout the City.
 
You can also call the Food Assistance Program of the Salvation Army Community and Family Services at 780-424-9222.  Downtown location is 9620 – 101A Avenue. Phone between the hours of 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Mon - Thurs. Drop-in hours at this location are Mon – Thurs between 9:00 am - 11:00 am and 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.  You are asked to bring two pieces of ID for each adult and one for each child, a rent receipt, and an income receipt.  The Salvation Army is able to help with a food hamper once every 90 days.  To make an appointment at the Northeast location (1241 Hyndman Road) you must call 780-472-6743 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Tues – Fri.  
 
While both Edmonton’s Food Bank and the Salvation Army may be able to help if you need assistance with food, remember that once you access one for help, you cannot access the other within the same month. Also the Salvation Army program can only be accessed once every 90 days.
 
Wecan Food Basket Society provides families and individuals the opportunity to buy fresh produce and meat at reduced prices. There are over 20 depots around Edmonton, Leduc, St. Albert and Parkland County. For more information call 780-413-4525.
 
 
My family member misuses alcohol.  Where can we go for information and counselling?
 
You can contact Alberta Health Services Addictions and Mental Health (formerly AADAC), Adult Counselling and Prevention Services (ACAPS) at 780-427-2736. They are located at 10010 - 102A Avenue.  Open 8:00 am – 9:00 pm Tues – Thurs; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Mon and Fri. They provide assessment, treatment and referral for clients with alcohol, drug or gambling concerns as well as information, counselling and support for family members and friends.  You can view their website at www.aadac.com .  The 24 hr AHS Addiction Helpline is 1-866-332-2322. Youth Services is for youth 12 – 17 yrs at can be reached at 780-422-7383.
 
Alcoholics Anonymous is a self-help group for people seeking help with alcohol problems. Call 780-424-5900 or go to www.edmontonaa.org for information on the most convenient groups and times. Al-Anon provides help to families and friends of alcoholics; call 780-433-1818 or go to www.al-anon-edmonton.org for information on group meeting times and locations.
 
 
I want to donate some furniture, clothing and household items to families in need but I don’t want these items sold.  Who can I call?
 
Some places that take donations for families but may not resell these items are:
  • Bissell Centre accepts donations of new and gently used clothing, furniture, bedding, household goods, small appliances, personal hygiene supplies for free distribution or resale. Donations may be dropped off at Thrift Shoppe. Pick-ups may be scheduled for furniture donations. Call 780-471-6644 for pick-up or more info.
  • Edmonton Emergency Relief Services assists families who are victims of fires and natural disasters.   They also sell some items at low cost to others in need. all 780-428-4422 for pick-up and to confirm the need for some items.
  • Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Call 780-471-5577 and leave your name, phone no., area of the city you are calling from and information on the items you have to donate. A volunteer will call you back within a few days.
  • Unity Centre of Northeast Edmonton accepts furniture in good condition and other household items. Call 780.478.6521.
 
 
I am looking for anger management for my husband.  Where can he go?
 
There are many different variables that you will want to clarify in a request like this.  A few of the questions to ask yourself and the agency offering the service include:
 
  • Is there physical violence or emotional abuse connected to the anger?
  • Is the anger expressed primarily in a partner relationship?
  • Would your husband be interested in a group or one-on-one?
  • Do you need a sliding fee scale?
  • Does he need a “court approved” program?
“Anger management” courses and “couple counselling” are not appropriate for men who are abusive towards their partners. The following group programs are geared for men who are physically and/or emotionally and verbally abusive to their partners:
  • Changing Waysat the Edmonton Family Violence Treatment Education & Research Centre. 16 week group program for men. Call 780-439-4635 for more info.
  • Family Violence Teaching Circles for Men at Aboriginal Consulting Services of Alberta. Call 780-448-0378 for more info.
  • Reaching for a Good Life at the Family Centre. 16 week group program for men. Continuous intake with some flexibility in scheduling for different modules. Call 780-424-5580. 
Some not-for-profit agencies offer one-on-one counselling on a sliding fee scale as well as general anger management course for youth and adults. Dial 2-1-1 for referrals.
 
My utilities are about to be cut off.  What are my options?
 
 The first thing you want to do is refer to your past utility bill statement to find out which broker company you go through.  Discuss with them about payment options.  By being up front with the utility company about your financial situation, they will usually negotiate a more affordable payment plan.  To phone EPCOR about your water or power bill, call 310-4300.  An example of a broker company for gas services is Direct Energy Regulated Services at 1-866-420-3174.
 
Low-income Albertans who have received a disconnection notice from their gas or power company and have no way of paying their overdue utility bills may be eligible for emergency assistance.  Emergency assistance can be provided more than once but the recipient must repay Alberta Employment and Immigration (AEI). Contact your nearest AEI office during the day or the Income Support Contact Centre after 4:30 pm. Support for seniors may be available through Alberta Seniors at 1-800-642-3853.
 
 
I need to register for the impaired driving course. Where can I do this?
 
The Alberta Motor Association runs Planning Ahead and the IMPACT Program for people charged with impaired driving. Planning Ahead is a one-day interactive educational course dealing with impaired driving, impaired driving laws, the effects of alcohol on the body and how to separate drinking from driving. The IMPACT Program is a weekend assessment program designed to help you reflect on how the use of alcohol and other substances is affecting your life. You are required to remain on site for the entire weekend. You can get more information about these programs by calling 780-430-8811 in Edmonton or 1-800-272-5698.
 
 
Where can I get information on health services?
 
A public service that connects you to health information over the phone is Health Link Alberta at 780-408-LINK (5465).  Health Link is a free, centralized service that can respond to your health-related questions, based on physician-reviewed information, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Find public health services and programs, register for pre-natal programs, register environmental health concerns and access immunization records by calling Health Link Alberta. 
 
 
I would like to volunteer.  Who can help me?
 
The Support Network’s 211 service offers a Volunteer Information and Referral Service to meet the immediate need for volunteer referrals in Edmonton.  By assessing area of interest, geographical area, and population served, a potential volunteer is provided with contact information for organizations that have volunteer opportunities matching their area of interest.  Access this service by dialing 211 if you’re within the City of Edmonton.  Outside of the city call 482-INFO (4636).  To further explore specific volunteer positions go to the Volunteer Edmonton website at www.volunteeredmonton.com and click on I Want to Volunteer. This will take you to a number of links including Go Volunteer at www.govolunteer.ca .   To search Go Volunteer, click on “volunteer opportunities” and then browse by location, organization or activity.
 
Organizations wishing to list volunteer roles need to contact publications@thesupportnetwork.com .  Our primary focus is on non-profit human and social services related to basic subsistence and survival, or help for people who may experience barriers to service.  Our secondary focus is on non-profit organizations providing other community services. The organizations listed will provide The Support Network with an overview of the work they do, current and accurate contact information, and volunteer roles.  The organization must accept the values, principles and standards of the Canadian Code of Volunteer Involvement.
 
 
I am recently separated/divorced.  Who can offer me support?
 
Depending on the support you are looking for there are a few different options available.  If you are looking for one-on-one support with a counsellor almost any counsellor will be able to help.  Get referrals to registered psychologists by calling the Psychologists Association of Alberta at 780-428-8255(TALK).
 
A few other suggestions for counselling are:
  • City of Edmonton Assessment and Short-Term Counselling at 780-496-4777. They provide short-term individual, couple, and family counselling in many areas including emotional issues due to separation and loss.  Primarily for those on low income.
  • Salvation Army Community and Family Services, Counselling Program, 780-412-2743, provides Christian-based individual, couple and family counselling.
  • The Minus One Club, 780-434-9284, is a social group for individuals who have been widowed, separated, or divorced for at least three months.
  • DivorceCare offers a Christian-based seminar/support group for people who are divorced or separated. Call 2-1-1 for local contacts. 
If there are children involved in the situation they are easily affected by the changes a divorce or separation can create.
  • Rainbows is a 12-week free support group for children grieving a loss due to separation, divorce, abandonment or death. To find out the times and locations of many of the Rainbows programs in Edmonton, leave a message with the Foundation for Families in Transformation at 780-448-1180.
 
Some resources related to custody, access and support are:
  • Family Justice Services, 780-427-8329, has information and programs for people going through separation and divorce and dealing with child custody, access and support issues. One program is Parenting After Separation (PAS). Register at The Family Centre by calling 780-413-9805. Another is Focus on Communication in Separation (FOCIS). FOCIS is a 6-hour class for separated parents of young children. It teaches how to reduce conflict through good communication and problem solving skills to ensure that the focus remains on the children. Call 780-644-5092 to register. (Parents do not register in this course together.)
  • The Family Law Information Centre provides information on family law matters such as child support, spousal support, child custody and access. They also provide a variety of free or low-cost information pamphlets as well as a commissioner for oaths for court documents.
 
 
I can’t afford a lawyer.  What are my options?
 
Many people find the price of lawyers is out of reach. As a result, the Legal Aid Society of Alberta, 780-427-7575, was formed to assist individuals who cannot afford legal assistance in criminal and family law.  Alberta Law Line, a project through The Legal Aid Society of Alberta provides a centralized, easy-to- access source of legal information, resource referrals, and summary advice for Albertans through their toll free number 1-866-845-3425 or direct from Edmonton 780-644-7777. Hours of operation are Mon – Fri, 9:00 am – 4 pm except for Wed which is 9:00 am – 2:30 pm.
 
Edmonton Community Legal Centre, 780-702-1725 tries to fill in the gaps that Legal Aid Society of Alberta doesn’t cover such as landlord and tenant disputes and income support and AISH applications and appeals.
 
Another resource is Student Legal Services of Edmonton at780-492-2226. They provide free legal information, assistance, and education within certain areas of civil, family and criminal law to the low-income community in Edmonton.
 
 
My mother can’t live by herself without help anymore. Who can we call?
 
The single point of entry for an Alberta resident to receive in-home assistance is Home Care.  General inquires can be made by phoning the Community Care Access line at 780-496-1300 (24 hours a day).  This service provides health and support services based on assessed needs for people who wish to remain in their homes.  Short-term acute services are provided to people on discharge from the hospital and long-term services are available to seniors and persons with disabilities.  Services include nursing, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, social work, physical therapy, homemaking, personal care, companionship, and driving services.
 
You may also check the Yellow Pages under Home Health Services and Nurses & Nurses’ Registries for other agencies providing in-home assistance. 
 
To find out about seniors’ housing in Edmonton you can contact SAGE (Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton) at 780-423-5510. They publish a Seniors Housing Directory with information on both private and public facilities.
 
 
What is available in Edmonton for low cost or subsidized housing?
 
Unfortunately the need for lower cost housing is greater than what is available, which creates waiting lists that can easily be six months to over a year long.  While this seems daunting it is still important to explore all of your options because applications are dealt with case by case.
 
Some places to try include:
  • Capital Region Housing has waiting lists and no emergency housing. However they do have the largest number of subsidized housing units in Edmonton. For information on their various programs you can listen to recorded information on the Application Information Line at 780-428-8200 or call 780-420-6161.
  • homeEd (City of Edmonton Non-Profit Housing Corporation), in cooperation with the provincial and federal governments, provides affordable rental accommodation to the public. For rental inquiries call 780-474-5706.
  • SAGE (Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton) has information on subsidized housing for seniors over the age of 55.
  • Boyle Street Community Services, 780-424-4106 has a housing registry to assist low-income individuals and families to find and maintain decent, affordable housing.
 
 
It is really difficult for me to access the labor market to find a job.  Is there anyone who can help me?
 
To find out information on the labor market you are thinking of entering, phone the Career Information Hotline at 780-422-4266.  Or contact your closest Alberta Employment & Immigration Labor Market Information Centre: City Centre 780-415-4900; Southside/Argyll Centre 780-644-2888; Northside/Fort Road 780-422-9440; West/Meadowlark 780-415-8116. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada also offers information for job seekers at 1-800-206-7218.  
 
DECSA (Distinctive Employment Counselling Services of Alberta) provides training and help with finding and maintaining employment for people with disabilities and women leaving abusive relationships. Call 780-474-2500. They also have a Labour Market Resource Centre for anyone to use.
 
A number of agencies have employment programs geared towards youth. Bill Rees YMCA, 780-429-9622, helps youth up to 19 with career planning and 15-30 year olds may participate in a pre-employment program. Youth Connections, 780-415-4968, assists 16-24 year olds with career preparation and planning. It is a program of the Bredin Institute. 
 
 
I am having a hard time handling my teenage child.  Who can help?
 
As children grow older their response to your parenting style may change.  Many people find that parenting becomes difficult when their children reach the teen years.  As a result many agencies try to help provide information, options, and counselling to help.
 
There are four Parent Link Centres in Edmonton. They provide various programs for parents as well as information and referral for parenting resources. Each Parent Link Centre is run by a community agency (noted in brackets below).
  • Aboriginal Parent Link Centre (Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society):  780-481-3451
  • Mill Woods Parent Link Centre (Mill Woods Family Resource Centre):  780-413-4521
  • North East Edmonton Parent Link Centre (KARA Family Resource Centre):  780-478-5396
  • West Edmonton Parent Link (Jasper Place Child & family Resource Society):  780-489-2243
 
The Boys and Girls Club has a support group for parents experiencing challenges with their children or teens.  Contact the Parent Talk program number at 780-481-1235 for more information. 
 
The Family Centre offers 2-day workshops on parenting for various ages and stages, including Getting to “Yes” With Your Teen, Parenting Challenging Children and Succeeding as a Blended-Family. Call their Education Services at 780-917-8205.
 
 
NB: The referrals listed here are meant to be examples of some of the services available in the community of Edmonton.  This is by no means an exhaustive list.  For more information, dial 211 (780-482-4636 if you are outside of Edmonton in an area not covered by 211).

Last updated: March 22, 2010