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COVID-19 Resources and Activities

Home/Parents and Caregivers/COVID-19 Resources and Activities

Family Playing

Activities for Babies, Toddlers & Children

Art Gallery of Guelph

Due to the Province wide shutdown, the Art Gallery of Guelph is temporarily closed.

The Art Gallery continues to offer Schoolhouse Studio Sheets, a series of fun at-home art activities for kids and families inspired by works in the Art Gallery of Guelph’s permanent collection! Complementing curriculum guidelines, these activities encourage young people to apply creative processes to shape and communicate thoughts, stories and ideas.

City of Guelph, Recreation

What’s open:

parks and recreational areas, benches
playgrounds, play structures, and play equipment
off-leash dog parks
permanent washrooms (starting April 26), portable washrooms (starting April 30)

What’s closed:

sports fields, golf and frisbee golf courses, tennis courts, basketball courts and skate parks
baseball diamonds, soccer fields and other multi-use fields
picnic sites and picnic tables

This City of Guelph webpage has additional information about parks and trails.

The City continues to offer recreational programming ideas online. Activities can be done at home or in the backyard and include fitness, arts and crafts, healthy recipes, brain games, and water safety tips.

EarlyON Child and Family Centres

As of June 16, 2021, EarlyON Child and Family Centre locations in Wellington County and the City of Guelph will now offer outdoor programming while they continue to offer virtual services. For more information, please visit www.wellington.ca/EarlyON/

Firefly Friends Summer Camp

Everyone is welcome. Activities include games, crafts, music, outdoor play, group games and much more! Each week an exciting new theme promotes learning, exploring and creating fun camp memories. Parents have peace of mind knowing that their children are enjoying themselves under the guidance of KidsAbility staff. Learn more about Firefly Friends Summer Camp.

Guelph Public Library

In response to the Ontario Government’s COVID-19 province-wide shutdown, the Guelph Public Library will be temporarily closing all Guelph Public Library locations to the public. All locations will offer Curbside Services during regular library hours starting Saturday, April 3. No appointments are required and a selection of grab and go materials will be available for quick checkout.

Please note that the operating hours of the West End location have changed during the province-wide shutdown.

GPL is accepting library material returns in book drops at all library locations 24/7 (with the exception of West End Branch and Bookmobile).

GPL is also offering virtual programming, see the Growing Great Generations Events page for listings of these and other virtual events across the City of Guelph and Wellington County.

Shelldale Family Gateway

Shelldale Family Gateway is currently closed.
EarlyON programs will continue virtually, view the Growing Great Generations Events page for virtual activities from this and other EarlyONs.
Breakfast Club will resume when schools re-open for in-class learning.

Wellington County Library

As of April 19, 2021:

In accordance with provincial guidelines and restrictions, all Wellington County Library branches remain closed to the public. Pickup service is still available at all locations.

Take-and-Make kits, Story Time kits, and virtual programming is still available. Learn more at www.wellington.ca/winterprogramming.
To pick up holds, please contact your local branch and arrange a pickup time. Local branch staff will provide instructions for pickup.
Computer appointments will not be available at this time.
All drop boxes will remain open. Please return items when they are due to your local branch. Items that do not have pending holds may be renewed using the online catalogue, or by contacting your local branch.
Items returned to the library are being held in quarantine for 72 hours. They will still show on your library card as checked out until this quarantine period is over.
Room rentals are not available at this time.

Visit the Growing Great Generations events page to view WCL's virtual events for children.

Wellington County Museum & Archives

The Wellington County Museum & Archives is currently closed due to the Province wide shutdown.
Virtual WCMA offers a number of fun online activities inspired by their collection as well as virtual tours from each township.
The WCMA is offering a series of Special Events Activity Kits for all ages delivered right to your doorstep!

YMCA of Three Rivers (Guelph)

Visit the YMCA webpage for current member communications.

YMCA of Three Rivers is offering virtual programming so that you can stay healthy, even if you’re staying home. You can expect to find hundreds of virtual programs and resources for the whole family. Check out the Y's virtual Family and Kid Activities.

Activities for Youth

Art Gallery of Guelph

Due to the Province wide shutdown, the Art Gallery of Guelph is temporarily closed.

Explore the current exhibitions, Sculpture Park, and permanent art collections online at MuseumatHome.

BHive (safe space for youth)

The BHive is a safe space for youth, offering programs and services that will build their social emotional competence, mental health and wellbeing, and educational engagement and employment readiness. Most of the programming and services offered are by community partners whose mandate is also to serve youth.

Visit the BHive page at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Centre Wellington website for more information.

Find out about upcoming Programs and Activities or watch previous BTogether Talk Series recordings.

City of Guelph, Recreation

What’s open:

parks and recreational areas, benches
playgrounds, play structures, and play equipment
off-leash dog parks
permanent washrooms (starting April 26), portable washrooms (starting April 30)

What’s closed:

sports fields, golf and frisbee golf courses, tennis courts, basketball courts and skate parks
baseball diamonds, soccer fields and other multi-use fields
picnic sites and picnic tables

This City of Guelph webpage has additional information about parks and trails.

The Good Food Work Experience

The Good Food Work Experience: the SEED, Everdale Farm, The County of Wellington-Ontario Works, Lutherwood Employment and 2nd Chance Employment have partnered to deliver this program for youth aged 18-29. During the program, youth have the opportunity to explore different aspects of the food system and discover new passions by participating in a three-week experiential learning opportunity at the SEED and Everdale farm. Youth who participate in the Good Food Work Experience are those who face barriers to employment and/or education/training.

Wellington County Library

As of April 19, 2021:

In accordance with provincial guidelines and restrictions, all Wellington County Library branches remain closed to the public. Pickup service is still available at all locations.

Take-and-Make kits, Story Time kits, and virtual programming is still available. Learn more at www.wellington.ca/winterprogramming.
To pick up holds, please contact your local branch and arrange a pickup time. Local branch staff will provide instructions for pickup.
Computer appointments will not be available at this time.
All drop boxes will remain open. Please return items when they are due to your local branch. Items that do not have pending holds may be renewed using the online catalogue, or by contacting your local branch.
Items returned to the library are being held in quarantine for 72 hours. They will still show on your library card as checked out until this quarantine period is over.
Room rentals are not available at this time.

Wellington County Museum & Archives

The Wellington County Museum & Archives is currently closed due to the Province wide shutdown.
Virtual WCMA offers a number of fun online activities inspired by their collection as well as virtual tours from each township.
The WCMA is offering a series of Special Events Activity Kits for all ages delivered right to your doorstep!

YMCA of Three Rivers (Guelph)

Visit the YMCA webpage for current member communications.

Child Protection and Family Support

Family and Children's Services of Guelph & Wellington County

Supports for families who are struggling or in an unsafe situation.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Family and Children's Services of Guelph and Wellington County (FCSGW) is open and continues to be available 24/7 to provide support to children, youth and families in the community and to respond to reports of concerns about the safety of a child or youth.

They can be reached at 519-824-2410 or 1-800-265-8300. By working together, FACS hopes to minimize the impact of this pandemic on the most vulnerable families and community members.

Children with Disabilities and Special Needs

KidsAbility

KidsAbility offers physio, occupational, speech and recreation therapy, social work, augmentative communication and specialized clinics.

KidsAbility continues to serve their clients. Visit their Contact Us page for: contact information, locations and COVID hours.

KidsAbility has compiled a list of therapy and community resources.

Wee Talk

Wee Talk is a partnership of agencies that provide speech and language services to families with preschool children in Wellington County, Dufferin County and the City of Guelph. Wee Talk services have been reduced due to COVID-19.

Please read this update on the Wee Talk program, posted September 8, 2020: Wee Talk services have been reduced due to COVID-19. For those who have already had an in-person assessment, one-time phone consultations with a speech pathologist have been offered when possible. Wee Talk has a large number of clients who have been waiting for services and, going forward, we will be contacting as many clients as possible to schedule virtual or phone appointments. There may be significant delays and/or sudden suspensions in service due to COVID-19 response, and we appreciate your patience as you wait to hear from us. If your child is receiving Wee Talk services at one of our partner agencies, please contact them directly (links are below). Otherwise, please call 1-800-265-7293 ext 4676 for more information.

Find helpful resources and free webinars to support children at home.

Developmental Services

Access Information and Referral (AIR)

The centralized intake and referral point for all developmental disability services for infants, children and youth in Guelph and Wellington County.

Visit Access Information and Referral (AIR) for more information.

Phone: (519) 824-4015/Toll-Free: 1-877-216-1116

HERE4KIDS

Parents can call HERE 4 KIDS at 1-844-454-3711 to speak with a service coordinator about linking to services for challenges relating to their child’s speech, movement, play, behaviour, learning, and/or development.

EarlyON Child and Family Centres

Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington

Visit the Community Resource Centre EarlyON for team contact information, virtual drop-in and registered programming, visit CRC's Facebook page or YouTube Playlist.

Guelph Community Health Centre

Guelph Community Health Centre EarlyON for team contact information and virtual programming.

Shelldale Family Gateway

Shelldale EarlyON team contact information.

Learn more about Shelldale's EarlyON Virtual Program and Video Activities.

Emergency Food Support

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guelph-Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination has updated their Emergency Food Access Guides.

Emergency School-Age Child Care

In response to the closure of local schools, Wellington County is offering a targeted emergency child care program for school-aged children.

The program was announced by the county on April 7, the same day schools in the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health region moved to online-only learning.

Aimed at parents who are essential workers, the program is funded by Wellington County and Guelph so there is no cost to families.

To register for the Guelph-Wellington Emergency Child Care program families must:

reside or work in the County of Wellington or the City of Guelph;
be actively working in a job identified on the list of eligible workers;
need child care for at least two full days each week;
need child care immediately; and
receive eligibility approval by the Children’s Early Years Division, County of Wellington.

For more information visit www.wellington.ca/WellingtonGuelphECC.

Employment Support

2nd Chance Employment

2nd Chance Employment provides personal, customized services for people who want to find employment or explore their training and career options. Unlike trying it on your own or using a temp service, they guide, assist and support you throughout the process. And it works! Most clients find jobs or enter education or training to move towards their goals. The agency serves youth, students and adults out of all our locations across Guelph and Wellington County. All services are free.
2nd Chance is now offering virtual workshops via ZOOM and on their YouTube channel.

Learn more about the programs available for youth: Ways 2 Work, Youth Job Connection Summer Program or Youth Job Connection.

Lutherwood

Visit Lutherwood's Youth Job Connection or the COVID-19 Online Employment Portal. Virtual paid workshops are running continuously to build skills, awareness, goals, resumes, interview preparedness and job search techniques for the job that is right for you.

Events

Find a current list of events for children, youth and families being offered virtually or throughout Wellington County and in the City of Guelph.

Families with New Babies

Born to Read

The Born to Read initiative strives to introduce literacy to all infants born in Guelph. When infants are exposed to regular early literacy experiences they develop essential pre-reading skills which act as building blocks for when children learn to read. Each new family will receive a Born to Read literacy bag which includes:

An environmentally friendly bag
A board book generously donated by the Friends of the Library
A pamphlet about the importance of literacy in the first years of life
A pamphlet about Guelph Public Library's system-wide storytimes.
A Connections magazine
A mock library card with membership registration instructions
A Footprints of the Future information package

For more information, visit the Guelph Public Library website.

Support for Families with New Babies

Public Health is partnering with local EarlyON Child and Family Centres to support families with new babies during COVID-19. New parents may be asked by their hospital or midwife if they would like Public Health to share their contact information with EarlyON centres. EarlyON staff will then provide a follow-up phone call to families to offer social support, information about early parenting, and connections to local resources. EarlyON Centres are experienced providers of support for local parents and caregivers of children aged 0-6. This phone call is in addition to the telephone support through Public Health that some families receive after the birth of their baby when referred by their midwife or hospital nurse to the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program.

Check out these links to the FAQ documents for both Guelph and Wellington County as well as Dufferin County.

Financial Assistance

Emergency Assistance

You may be eligible for short term financial support if you are in a crisis or emergency situation and you don’t have enough money for things like food and housing. If you are not already receiving support from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, you can apply for emergency assistance online. You can also call County of Wellington Ontario Works office to apply over the phone. Please call the office at: 519.837.2670 (press’1’) or Toll Free 1.800.265.7294 or TTY 1.800.855.0511.

Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program Emergency Benefits

If you receive OW or ODSP and are facing additional costs related to the COVID-19 outbreak, you can access one-time emergency benefits. Emergency benefits for COVID-19 related expenses are the same for both programs: up to $100 for single individuals and up to $200 for families. This funding can be used to meet a broad range of needs, for example: cleaning supplies, transportation, food or clothing that you may require due to COVID-19. Please call your caseworker.

Other Assistance for COVID-19

The Canadian government offers various benefits to support people during COVID-19:

Health Information

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health

Please visit the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health website for information about:

Current COVID-19 related Public Health Measures and Restrictions
Face Coverings
Pre-Registration for your COVID-19 Vaccine
School Immunization Clinics

Helplines

Access Information and Referral (AIR)

The centralized intake and referral point for all developmental disability services for infants, children and youth in Guelph and Wellington County.

Visit Access Information and Referral (AIR) for more information.

Phone: (519) 824-4015/Toll-Free: 1-877-216-1116

HERE 24/7

HERE24/7: is your front door to the addictions, mental health, and crisis services provided by 11 agencies across Waterloo Wellington.

Call HERE 24/7 at: 1-844-437-3247 or 519-821-3582

TTY: 1-877-688-5501

HERE4KIDS

Supports parents in the City of Guelph or Wellington County who are looking for support with their child’s development. Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington is proud to be the host agency of HERE 4 KIDS. Parents can call HERE 4 KIDS at 1-844-454-3711 to speak with a service coordinator about linking to services for challenges relating to their child’s speech, movement, play, behaviour, learning, and/or development.

KIDS HELP PHONE

Need help now? You can reach a professional counsellor at Kids Help Phone 24/7 by calling:

1-800-668-6868.

ONTARIO 211

To navigate Ontario's network of human services quickly and easily, visit Ontario 211 or dial 2-1-1.

Internet Expansion, Computer & Hotspot Lending Programmes

Guelph Public Library

The Guelph Public Library has a large variety of technology available for customers.

The Available Devices and Hardware page offers information on devices that can be used or borrowed from the library, including what is offered at the Tech Bar. Accessible computers are offered at all branches.

Wellington County Public Library

Hotspot Lending Programme

The Library offers 70 hotspots available for loan across the County.

Chromebook Lending Programme

Upper Grand District School Board students have access to 80 Chromebooks. All you need to get started is your UGDSB login, and a valid Wellington County Library card.

Ask staff at your local branch for availability.

iPad Lending Programme

The Library offers 70 iPads, each available for a 7 day loan.

Internet Expansion

Learn more about expanding internet connectivity in Wellington County.

LGBT Youth

Trans Drop-In is now being offered online (for those aged 16 and up).

Mental Health Services & Resources

Community Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington

Increasing boredom and frustration in families are very real challenges for parents right now. Young children, teenagers, and youth need different kinds of support as they experience ‘cabin fever’ in their own unique ways. Get information, strategies and tips on how to help yourself and your families through COVID-19.

Family Counselling and Support Services for Guelph-Wellington

All services, programs and Walk-In Clinics offered by Family Counselling and Support Services for Guelph-Wellington continue to be available virtually.

Good2Talk

Good2Talk is a free, confidential service for post-secondary students in Ontario, available 24/7/365. By calling 1-866-925-5454, post-secondary students in Ontario can receive professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being.

Post-secondary students can also access free, text-based support through Good2Talk’s partnership with Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone. By texting GOOD2TALKON to 686868, students can chat with a trained volunteer Crisis Responder.

HERE24/7

HERE 24/7 is your front door to the addictions, mental health, and crisis services provided by 11 agencies across Waterloo Wellington. Call HERE 24/7 at: 1-844-437-3247 or 519-821-3582, TTY: 1-877-688-5501.

Minto Mental Health

Mental Health Resources in Minto & Surrounding Areas

On this site you will find resources to help you stay mentally fit and healthy, as well as provide access to a variety of services that anyone can turn to for help in Minto and surrounding areas.

Outreach Services

East Wellington Community Services

Face to face sessions are by appointment only, and can be booked by calling the appropriate worker. Social distancing measures are in place and strictly adhered to, and face coverings are required to enter the building. All clients entering the building will be screened for COVID-19.

Phone, video, and text, support is available during business hours by contacting the Outreach Worker, and “porch visits” can be arranged if the client is unable to attend the office.

Outreach services offers community support services to all community members of East Wellington. Our compassionate and energetic outreach team includes hard-working and empathic outreach workers that can provide support and direction in many areas;

System navigation (health care, social services, legal/justice, government benefits, etc)
Assistance in connecting to mental health, addictions, housing/homelessness, employment, education, immigration, abuse/trauma/grief counselling, and health care services
Support in accessing services (i.e. referrals, connecting with services with transportation and/or 1:1 support, assisting with applications and phone calls)
Direct access to transportation program, food security, income tax clinics, adult day programs, and youth services
Support while navigating through difficult times, and i.e. grief, trauma, stress, etc.

For more information on outreach and other services, visit: East Wellington Community Services.

Parenting

Online Prenatal and New Parent Program

The Online Prenatal and New Parent Program continues to be offered by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. The program is free to individuals and families who are pregnant or have a new baby and live in Wellington County, Dufferin County or the City of Guelph. The online program provides information about having a healthy pregnancy, labour and birth, medical interventions, caring for a newborn and breastfeeding.

Parent Outreach Workers

Parent Outreach Workers are available to all parents and caregivers of children between birth to 18 who live in the Brant, Two Rivers, Grange Hill East or Onward Willow Neighbourhoods. The goal of the Nurturing Neighbourhoods Initiative is to provide one-on-one support to families who may be experiencing challenges at home. The Parent Outreach Worker is available to provide support in a variety of areas, including:

Assisting with referrals
Helping to access community programs
Accompanying to appointments
Advocacy with other agencies and services
Assistance with subsidies for recreational programs for families
Working with families to problem solve and prioritize issues
Building community connections
Helping to find strategies and appropriate supports to address issues related to health, housing, food, employment, parenting, child behavior, finances.

For more information about this program please visit:

Ressources pour les familles francophones

Franchement famille

Franchement famille: Le Conseil scolaire Viamonde profite du long congé de la fête de la famille pour lancer une nouvelle plateforme de contenu, inspiré par les réalités, les enjeux, les passions et les intérêts des familles francophones de l’Ontario.

Gym Y

Activité physique virtuelle au Gym Y pour les enfants.

Le coin d'apprentissage

Le coin d'apprentissage: Afin d’approfondir les connaissances à la maison, consultez notre rubrique comportant des ressources en lignes, des services proposés par des organismes extérieurs, des fiches pratiques et tutoriels.

Substance Misuse Resources

Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy

The Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy has put together a list of substance misuse treatment, recovery and supportive services that are local and currently operating or running virtually.

For information about safer substance use, see:

Tips for Reducing COVID-19 Risks for People Who Use Substances

Youth Shelter

Shelter for Youth (16-24)

How to access local shelter services:

Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 4:30pm call 226-962-3574

Monday to Friday - 4:30pm to 7:00am call HERE 24/7 1-844-437-3247

Weekends - call HERE 24/7 1.844.437.3247

No Phone? Go to Royal City Mission (50 Quebec St.) meals Monday to Friday at 11:00am and tell staff you need shelter.

Housing and Emergency Shelter Support

Visit the Wellington County website for more information regarding Housing and Emergency Shelter support during COVID-19.