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 years 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 our way.

Inspired by his journey, the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook is a free collection of real-life stories, practical advice and local resources in the Huron-Perth community geared at helping people overcome obstacles.

Download your free copy of the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook [PDF 4.0 MB]

Looking for a print version of the Overcoming Obstalces 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 Huron-Perth 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

Huron Perth Helpline and Crisis Response Team
http://www.connexontario.ca/directory/program/15127
1-888-829-7484

Canadian Mental Health Association – Huron-Perth
http://www.cmha-hp.on.ca/
1-888-875-2944

ConnexOntario Health Services Information
Mental Health Helpline
Information Line: 1-866-531-2600

Huron-Perth Centre
(counselling service for children and youth)
http://www.hpcentre.on.ca/

RGA Psychological and Counselling Services
http://www.rgapsych.com/

Local therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/on/stratford

Local anxiety therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/anxiety/on/stratford?sid=1542053139.0515_12130

Local depression therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/depression/on/stratford?sid=1542053139.0515_12130

Local grief counselling
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/grief/on/stratford?sid=1542053139.0515_12130

Physical health

Alzheimer’s Society – Huron County
http://alzheimer.ca/en/huroncounty

Alzheimer’s Society – Perth County
http://alzheimer.ca/en/perth

Canadian Cancer Society – Huron-Perth Community Office
http://www.cancer.ca/en/about-us/contact-us/huron-perth-on/?region=on&utm_source=VanityURL&utm_campaign=Cancer.ca&utm_content=huronperth

Directory of nearby physiotherapists
https://opa.on.ca/physiotherapists/

Long-term care homes for seniors
https://www.huroncounty.ca/homes-for-the-aged/long-term-care/

ONE CARE Home & Community Support Services
(home-based care services for seniors and people with disabilities)
https://www.onecaresupport.ca/

Family & individuals

Family Services Perth-Huron
(counselling, family support services, hospice, financial literacy and more)
https://familyservicesperth-huron.ca/

Connect YOUth – Perth-Huron
(directory of local resources for youth)
https://connectyouthperthhuron.ca/#

Perth County Elder Abuse Committee
Victim Services: 1-866-376-9852

Meals on Wheels
(low-cost meals for seniors)
1-877-502-8277

Food Banks – Huron and Perth
https://www.southwesthealthline.ca/listServices.aspx?id=10572&region=HuronPerth

Huron County Food Bank
http://www.huroncountyfoodbank.org/

Huron Women’s Shelter (Goderich)
(emergency shelter, housing, support, counselling and advocacy for women)
http://huronwomensshelter.ca/

Optimism Place (Stratford)
(women’s shelter and support services)
24-hour crisis line: 519-271-5550 or 1-800-265-8598
https://www.optimismplace.com

Emily Murphy Centre
(providing safe transitional housing and supportive services to abused women, with or without children)
https://emilymurphycentre.com/

YMCA of Stratford-Perth
https://www.ymcastratfordperth.ca/

YMCA of Goderich-Huron
http://ymcaswo.ca/p/437/l/569/orgid/22853/t/YMCA_Home

Resources for children with special needs
https://www.southwesthealthline.ca/libraryContent.aspx?id=247

Children’s Aid Society – Huron-Perth
(519) 271-5290 or 1-800-668-5094​
http://www.h-pcas.ca/

Employment & financial

The Centre for Employment & Learning
http://www.thecentreforemploymentandlearning.ca/

Employment assistance programs
(Huron County)
https://www.huroncounty.ca/ontario-works/employment-activities/

Credit counselling/financial literacy
(Family Services Perth-Huron)
http://familyservicesperth-huron.ca/credit-counselling/

Services for New Canadians

Multicultural Association Perth Huron
(settlement and support services)
http://www.maph.ca/

Huron County Community Portal
https://www.makehuronhome.ca/

Opportunity Lives Here
(resources for newcomers to Perth County)
http://opportunityliveshere.ca/newcomers/

Helping others overcome obstacles

Want to help others in your community overcome obstacles? Here are some local opportunities to consider:

I Volunteer Perth-Huron
(local volunteer opportunities)
https://www.ivolunteerperthhuron.ca/

Habitat For Humanity – Huron County
http://www.habitathuroncounty.ca/

Blood donor clinics
(search for nearby clinics by location)
https://myaccount.blood.ca/

Big Brothers Big Sisters
North Huron – https://northhuron.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/
South Huron – https://southhuron.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/
Listowel – https://listowel.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/