Local resources. Inspiring stories. Good advice.
Whether it’s physical, financial, professional or pyschological, obstacles come in all shapes and sizes. And no matter who you are, everybody goes through tough times in their lives.
Lifestyle Citizens’ founder Josh Martin was 28 year old when he experienced his biggest obstacle yet: an aggressive form of leukemia. He survived, and although it was a gruelling ordeal, having cancer taught him a lot about resilience and overcoming whatever obstacles life throws at us.
Inspired by his journey, the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook is a free collection of real-life stories, practical advice and local resources in the Brantford community geared at helping people overcome obstacles.
Download your free copy of the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook [PDF 2.0 MB]
Looking for a print version of the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook? Purchase your copy here ($20)
Community Resources
One of the most important lessons Josh learned from his health crisis was the importance of community. Whether it was accessing peer support programs, using the Cancer Society’s shuttle service to get to appointments or tapping into educational materials from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, community resources played a big role in his success.
Whatever obstacle you face in life — personally, professionally or otherwise — be sure to consider the resources available in your community. Fortunately, the Brantford area boasts all kinds of organizations and programs focused on helping folks overcome a variety of obstacles.
Below, you’ll find information about some of them. This listing is by no means exhaustive, but it will hopefully give you a flavour of the kinds of resources available in your own backyard.
Mental health
Mental Health Emergency Crisis Line
The Brant Mental Health Crisis Response System
519-759-7188 or 1-866-811-7188
24 hours a day/7 days a week
http://www.bchsys.org/hospital/services-list/mental-health-addiction/crisis-response/
Canadian Mental Health Association
Brant Haldimand Norfolk
https://bhn.cmha.ca/
Therapists in Brantford
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/on/brantford
Anxiety therapists in Brantford
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/anxiety/on/brantford?sid=1539689864.9194_9408
Depression therapists in Brantford
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/depression/on/brantford?sid=1539689864.9194_9408
Grief therapists in Brantford
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/depression/on/brantford?sid=1539689864.9194_9408&spec=14
Rosewood House
(mental health & addictions)
http://www.rosewoodhouse.on.ca/
Physical health
Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton Halton
https://www.alzhn.ca/
Canadian Cancer Society – Hamilton Brant-Norfolk Community Office
http://www.cancer.ca/en/about-us/contact-us/hamilton-wentworth-on/?region=on&utm_source=VanityURL&utm_campaign=Cancer.ca&utm_content=hamilton
Palliative care services
http://www.bchsys.org/hospital/services-list/complex-continuing-care/palliative-care/
Seniors Guide to Services
http://www.brantford.ca/residents/family/Pages/SeniorsGuidetoServices.aspx
Family & individuals
Brantford food banks and cupboards
http://www.feedbrant.ca/component/bdirectory/?task=viewdirectory&cid=12
Local resource centres
http://www.brantford.ca/residents/support_services/Pages/EmergencyShelter.aspx
Nova Vita Women’s Shelter
519-752-4357 (24 hour crisis line)
Victim services
(crisis and after hours)
519-756-7050
Housing Resource Centre
519-759-3330
Youth Resource Centre
519-758-9644
Salvation Army Booth Centre
519-753-4193
Brantford Welcome In Resource Centre
(homeless men and women)
226-250-0120
Housing Resource Centre
(homeless men, women & families)
519-759-3330
Laurier Brantford YMCA
https://www.ymcahbb.ca/Join-the-YMCA/Laurier-Brantford-YMCA/How-to-Join
Learning disabilities services
http://www.hnhbhealthline.ca/listServices.aspx?id=10728
Employment & financial
Brant Employment Centre
https://www.st-leonards.com/locations/brant-employment-centre
Career Link Community Employment Centre
http://careerlink.ca/
Ontario Works Income Support & Employment Services
http://www.brantford.ca/residents/support_services/Pages/FinancialEmploymentServicesPage.aspx
Services for New Canadians
Immigration portal
http://www.brantford.ca/residents/Pages/NewcomerConnectionsBrantfordBrant.aspx
Newcomer Connections Brantford Brant
http://www.newcomerconnections.ca/En/Arriving/AfterYouArrive/ServicestoHelpYou/Pages/default.aspx
YMCA Immigrant Services – Brantford
https://www.ymcahbb.ca/Programs/Categories/Community-Initiatives/Immigrant-Services
Helping others overcome obstacles
Want to help others in your community overcome obstacles? Here are some local opportunities to consider:
Volunteer Brantford
http://www.brantford.ca/residents/Volunteer/Pages/VolunteersDirectory.aspx
Blood donor clinics
(for nearby clinics, search “Brantford”)
https://www.blood.ca/en
Habitat for Humanity Brant-Norfolk
http://habitatbn.org/
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grand Erie
https://granderie.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/