Waterloo Region is experiencing a shortage of doctors. We’ve included a list of clinics and health centres that serve people who do not have a doctor. Another option is the Ontario Telehealth information line. This phone line is answered by nurses who can answer your general questions and offer medical advice. To use this service call 1-866-797-0000.
Even though these services are helpful, you may still need to find a doctor. The Grand River Hospital has a Medical Resources Information Line at 519-749-4300 ext 2517, which is a recorded message that gives you the contact information for any area doctors accepting new patients. The Emergency Department of St Mary's Hospital has a similar written list that you can see by visiting the reception desk. Tthe College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario can also search their membership list for doctors currently accepting patients, call 1-800-268-7096. Finally, there is the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce that has a waiting list for patients. They will add your contact information to the list and when a new doctor moves to the area they may use this waiting list to develop their new case load.
700 Coronation Blvd, Cambridge
phone: 621-2330, 621-2333 (direct dialing)
835 King St W, Box 9056, Kitchener
phone: 742-3611 (switchboard), 749-4300 (direct dialing), 749-4300 ext 2517 (Medical Resources Information Line)
911 Queen's Blvd, Kitchener
phone: 744-3311
350 Hespeler Rd, Cambridge
phone: 624-2273
University Shops Plaza II, 13-170 University Ave W, Waterloo
phone: 725-1514
80 Queen St N, Kitchener
phone: 576-5000
phone: 1-866-797-0000
385 Fairway Rd S, Kitchener
phone: 748-2327
751 Victoria St S, Kitchener
phone: 745-2273
800 King St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-888-265-8338, 748-2222
5A-1400 Weber St E, Kitchener
phone: 748-6933
59 Frederick St, Main Flr, Kitchener
phone: 745-4404
Langs Park Plaza, 887 Langs Dr, Unit 1, Cambridge
phone: 653-1470
99 Regina St S, Waterloo
phone: 883-2000
10 Parkside Dr, St Jacobs
phone: 664-3794
52 Glasgow St, Kitchener
phone: 749-4318, 749-4300 ext 2623
60 Westwood Rd, Guelph
phone: (519) 837-1470
Due to an event or series of events, you may need to talk over your situation with a counsellor or volunteer listener. There are counselling programs that deal with a variety of issues such as family violence, couples therapy, parent and child problems, self esteem, and anger management. The Catholic Family Counselling Centre located in Kitchener, Shalom Counselling Services in Waterloo, and Lutherwood Counselling Centre in Cambridge are some examples of counselling organizations available within Waterloo Region. These counselling services are free or have fees based on your ability to pay.
There are also confidential listening services available to you. These are phone lines where you may talk over the issues you are having with trained listeners. Sometimes it’s helpful to talk out a problem with a non-judgemental, anonymous person. This type of service is often available 24 hours a day.
13 Water St N, Cambridge
phone: 623-6024
3-9 Wellington St, Cambridge
phone: 740-7782
Community Support Services of Ayr and North, 80 Stanley St, Ayr
phone: 632-9737
67 King St E, Kitchener
phone: 744-7645, 1-866-448-1603
1855 Notre Dame Dr N, St Agatha
phone: 746-5437
67 King St E, Kitchener
phone: 570-4595
400 Queen St S, Kitchener
phone: 743-6333
3B-219 Dufferin St, Toronto
phone: 1-800-463-6273, (416) 595-6111
49 Queen St N, Kitchener
phone: 744-6549
The COPING Centre, 1740 Blair Rd, Cambridge
phone: 650-0852, 1-877-554-4498
Kuntz House, 171 King St S, Waterloo
phone: 745-2195
23B Church St, New Hamburg
phone: 662-3092
Cambridge Place, 3-73 Water St N, Cambridge
phone: 622-0815
310 Charles St E, Kitchener
phone: 743-6071
480 Charles St E, Kitchener
phone: 884-0000
201-151 Frederick St, Kitchener
phone: 571-0121
crisis: 741-8633
35 Dickson St, Cambridge
phone: 622-1670
9 Avondale Ave S, Waterloo
phone: 886-9690
60 Arthur St S, 2nd Flr, Elmira
phone: 669-8651
67 King St E, 2nd Flr, Kitchener
phone: 570-3277 (EARS line for men), 1-800-553-3277, 744-7645 ext 320 (voicemail)
5420 Orchard Park, Hwy 6, Guelph
phone: 744-5594 (Community Links), 744-7645 (admin)
crisis: 745-1166 (Distress Line), 745-9909 (Youth Line)
University of Waterloo Student Life Centre, 200 University Ave W, Rm 2101, Waterloo
phone: 888-4569
439 University Ave, Ste 300, Toronto
phone: 1-800-668-6868, 1-800-268-3062 (donations), (416) 586-5437 (admin)
Box 32074 Preston Centre PO, Cambridge
phone: 658-6805
crisis: 658-6805
Kitchener
phone: 741-9184
crisis: 742-5894, 1-877-419-1517
Demand for accommodation is high and vacancies are low. If you are struggling to find housing and need some help, there are a number of groups that provide housing search assistance that you can turn to. Some of these services are for specific populations such as students, newcomers, and youth.
Even if you have housing, you may still run into difficulties. As a tenant, you will want to learn about your rights and responsibilities. To do so you can contact the Landlord and Tenant Board, the Renters Education and Networking Together (RENT), and/or Waterloo Region Community Legal Services.
Subsidized housing is also known as rent-geared-to-income housing, Community Housing, and Ontario Housing.
Application forms are available for you to pick up at 7 Housing Access Sites across Waterloo Region. Each site has the same general application form that covers most of the subsidized housing locations within Waterloo Region. You may request specific housing locations, however, this may make your wait longer.
Once you apply, your application goes into a centralized waiting list. You can find information about the length of this waiting list and your position on it by calling one of the Housing Access Sites. Once on the list, call the Housing Access Sites if any of your contact information changes, so that they are able to contact you when your name reaches the top.
There are also some housing locations that are not part of this system. They have separate application forms and waiting lists. If you are interested in looking into these options, you can inquire at the Housing Access Sites.
Another option to explore is market rate housing. To find these places, try checking out the local newspapers and community advertising papers. Many of these papers are available at places such as the libraries and SPCKW/CICWR, or even online. Sometimes there are bulletin boards at grocery stores, laundry mats and other community places that advertise available apartment units. There are also internet web sites with housing listings that you could search for. If you do not have internet access, you can use it for free at one of the region’s community internet access sites.
There are also several companies that specialize in matching people with suitable rental properties. While some of these companies will provide the service to you for free, others may charge a finders fee. Always ask up front about any costs.
An additional house-hunting method that is often overlooked is networking. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for housing. Ask them to let you know as soon as they spot a sign in a window, or hear of someone giving up their apartment, so that you can call right away. Your church, your parent and child group, your self-help group and any groups or associations you are involved with, are valuable connections to the community and may be able to provide you with information.
Once you’ve finally found a place you can afford, you may find that you cannot afford to pay the first and last months rent upfront. This inability to pay upfront can greatly limit your housing options; however, there are places you can turn to for help. There is an organization in Waterloo Region called the Rent Bank that will help you out by loaning you your first and last month’s rent. To contact the Rent Bank, call The Housing Action Centre at 519-743-2460 (Kitchener) or 519-623-9380 (Cambridge).
Transglobe Property Management
phone: 519-310-7000
The Property Rental Centre
phone: 519-579-9413
Cambridge Place, 3-73 Water St N, Cambridge
phone: 622-0815
102 King St W, Kitchener
phone: 745-2531 (admin), 745-2593 (interpreters)
800 King St W, Kitchener
phone: 579-9622
200 King St W, Main Flr, Kitchener
phone: 1-888-332-3234
165 King St E, Kitchener
phone: 743-2460
99 Regina St S, Box 1633, Waterloo
Village 1, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo
phone: 888-4567 ext 35725 (off campus housing), 888-4567 ext 32679 (housing admin)
170 Victoria St S, Kitchener
phone: 743-0254
Cambridge Self Help Food Bank, 54 Ainslie St S, Cambridge
phone: 743-0254
1195 King St E, Cambridge
phone: 650-5437
50 Eby St S, Kitchener
phone: 570-2400
446 Kingscourt Dr, Waterloo
phone: 746-7921
618 King St W, Kitchener
phone: 742-3191
385 Fairway Rd S, Ste 201, Kitchener
phone: 575-4800
150 Main St, Cambridge
phone: 575-4800
Housing Access Sites
Cambridge Kiwanis Village Non-Profit Housing
1195 King St E, Cambridge, N3H 5N5
650-4403
Eby Village (House of Friendship)
50 Eby St S, Kitchener, N2G 3L1
578-5203
Shamrock Cooperative Homes Inc.
446 Kingscourt Dr, Waterloo, N2K 3R9
746-7921
Waterloo Regional Homes for Mental Health Inc
618 King St W, Kitchener N2G 1C8
742-3191
YWCA Lincoln Road Apartments
155 Lincoln Rd, Waterloo, N2J 4S7
747-2200
155 Lincoln Rd, Waterloo
phone: 747-2200
Running out of money is a frustrating and stressful experience. If you find yourself out of work you can contact the Service Canada office to see if you qualify for Employment Insurance. If you don’t qualify, you may want to apply for social assistance (also called Ontario Works) by contacting the Waterloo Region Social Services Department.
If you are a senior, you could check the financial assistance programs that are available specifically for seniors.
You can also explore this guide to find ways to keep your costs down or to increase your educational and employment opportunities.
During times of financial strain it can be tempting to use credit to cover your basic needs. Unfortunately, this strategy sometimes gets you trapped in a circle of paying one credit card with another. How do you decide which bill to pay when they are all past due? Credit counselling may be helpful to you and is available through the Catholic Family Counselling Centre in Kitchener. They will help you with debt consolidation, negotiations with creditors, and getting the most out of your money.
409 Weber St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-800-277-9914, 1-800-277-9915 (French)
409 Weber St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-800-277-9914, 1-800-277-9915 (French)
409 Weber St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-800-277-9914, 1-800-277-9915 (French)
409 Weber St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-800-277-9914, 1-800-277-9915 (French)
409 Weber St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-800-277-9914, 1-800-277-9915 (French)
409 Weber St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-800-206-7218 (Employment Insurance), 579-1550
Cambridge Place, 73 Water St N, Cambridge
phone: 621-7150 (Employment Centre), 1-800-206-7218 (Employment Insurance)
400 Queen St S, Kitchener
phone: 743-6333 ~ 1-800-743-4140
Cambridge Place, 73 Water St N, Ste 605, Cambridge
phone: 623-1230, 1-888-214-0738
385 Fairway Rd S, Ste 200B, 2nd Flr, Kitchener
phone: 886-4700, 1-800-441-9820
170 Victoria St S, Kitchener
phone: 743-0254
Cambridge Self Help Food Bank, 54 Ainslie St S, Cambridge
phone: 743-0254
99 Regina St S, 2nd Flr, Waterloo
phone: 883-2100, 883-2010 (caseworkers)
crisis: 883-2230 (after hours)
You can stretch your money a little further by buying what you can at thrift shops and second hand stores. These stores sell items at low cost and there are many locations throughout Waterloo Region. If you are looking for furniture and appliances it is a good idea to call ahead. You can also check out your neighbourhood’s community centre as many of the community centres have clothing exchange programs.
Some clothing programs are geared to particular needs such as the Children's Needs Distribution Centre. Other programs are seasonal and provide free winter clothing.
If you have a stove, washer or other large appliance that needs repair you can contact the House of Friendship's Appliance Repair Project at 519-742-8327.
15 Scott St, Kitchener
phone: 579-3990
crisis: 1-800-550-4900
1348 Weber St E, Kitchener
phone: 894-0628
52 Main St, Cambridge
phone: 620-9719
135 Highland Rd W, Kitchener
phone: 745-9461
50 Bridgeport Rd E, Waterloo
phone: 886-6226
37 Market Lane, Box 1652, Kitchener
phone: 744-2794, 744-0833 (Drop In)
242 Queen St S, Kitchener
phone: 742-2788
563 Highland Rd W, Kitchener
phone: 584-0818
1436 Victoria St N, Kitchener
phone: 578-4800
328 King St W, Kitchener
phone: 742-8622
phone: 883-2290
48 Arthur St S, Elmira
phone: 669-1129
97 Victoria St N, Kitchener
phone: 569-7566
Cambridge Self Help Food Bank, 54 Ainslie St S, 2nd Flr, Cambridge
phone: 622-6550 ext 104
Box 1837 Stn C, Kitchener
phone: 742-8327
1-300 Gage Ave, Kitchener
phone: 745-4215
Getting to the resources you need often requires transportation. In Waterloo Region we have a public bus system called Grand River Transit or GRT. To use the bus you may pay with cash (exact change only), bus tickets, or a monthly pass. For more information on fares, routes, and how the system works you can check out the GRT website at www.grt.ca or call them. You should also ask about reduced fares for seniors and students if applicable.
Sometimes affording the bus can be a problem; there are some agencies and government programs that may be able to give you bus tickets so that you can get to your job, a shelter, or some appointments.
Sometimes, though, you are simply unable to take the bus and need someone to drive you to an appointment. There are programs that have volunteer drivers who help seniors and disabled adults shop or attend medical appointments.
It is also important to look at the resources and connections that you already have. Do you belong to any sort of group, church, or association that could help out? Perhaps you have a friend, family member, or neighbour who would be willing to trade favours or skills with you, for example you could exchange babysitting for a ride to your doctor.
Another option, for those who occasionally need the use of a vehicle, is Grand River CarShare. This is a car sharing cooperative that you can join and then sign out a car whenever needed. There is a membership fee; however, they have an interest free loan available to help you pay this fee if the initial cost is a problem.
301-750 Baseline Rd E, London
phone: 1-866-522-2122
241 Duke St W, Kitchener
phone: 886-8888
A-28 South St W, Elmira
phone: 749-0784, 669-3023
420 Weber St N, Waterloo
phone: 772-8787
3-29 King St E, Kitchener
phone: 578-1895
13 Industrial Dr, Unit C, Elmira
phone: 669-4533, 1-800-461-1355
35 Dickson St, Cambridge
phone: 623-9380
165 King St E, Kitchener
phone: 743-2460
First United Church, 15 Wellington St, Cambridge
phone: 622-3136
2300 Sheppard Ave W, Ste LL 105, North York
phone: (416) 663-5544
185 King St S, Waterloo
phone: 579-6930
250 Strasburg Rd, Kitchener
phone: 744-8570 (same day inquiries), 744-2241 (future bookings), 585-7597 ext 7290 (registration)
Grand River Transit South Terminal, 35 Ainslie St S, Cambridge
phone: 585-7597 ext 7290 (admin)
73 Arthur St S, Elmira
phone: 669-5139
Sometimes when dealing with a problem there does not seem to be any group or program that can help you meet your basic needs. Though this is very frustrating, you can try to change things by contacting your government representatives and raising awareness about the issues you are dealing with. This push for government action may lead to the development of a program to address those issues. Furthermore, your government representatives may know about a program which could help you with your situation.
Gary Goodyear MP (CPC)
1425 Bishop St, Unit 3, Cambridge
phone: 624-7440
Karen Redman MP (Lib)
105 King St E, Ste 2, Kitchener
phone: 741-2001, (613) 995-8913 (Ottawa)
Harold Albrecht MP (CPC)
153 Country Hill Dr, Unit 2, Kitchener
phone: 578-3777
Andrew Telegdi MP (Lib)
22 King St S, Waterloo
phone: 746-1573, (613) 996-5928 (Ottawa)
Gerry Martiniuk, MPP (PC)
410 Hespeler Rd, Unit 2, Cambridge
phone: 623-5852, (416) 325-8451 (Queen's Park)
John Milloy, MPP (Lib)
1770 King St E, Unit 6C, Kitchener
phone: 579-5460, (416) 314-7824 (Queen's Park)
Elizabeth Witmer, MPP (PC)
Constituency Office, 375 University Ave E, Waterloo
phone: 725-3477, (416) 325-1306 (Queen's Park)
Cambridge Place, 73 Water St N, Cambridge
phone: 623-1340 (switchboard)
200 King St W, Kitchener
phone: 741-2286
1171 Greenfield Rd, RR 4, Cambridge
phone: 621-0340
Waterloo City Centre, 100 Regina St S, Waterloo
phone: 886-1550
4639 Lobsinger Line, RR 1, St Clements
phone: 699-4611
60 Snyder's Rd W, Baden
phone: 634-8444, 1-800-469-5576
69 Arthur St S, Elmira
phone: 669-1647, 664-2613
150 Frederick St, 2nd Flr, Kitchener
phone: 575-4585