Up Your Life Guide - Your Support Services Network

Disclaimer: Although every reasonable effort is made to present clear and accurate information, being listed does not indicate that the service is recommended or endorsed by Your Support Services Network (YSSN) or Up Hub. As this information is created and maintained by a variety of sources, both internal and external, we recommend that you contact the organizations directly as information can change periodically without notice.

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The Up Your Life guide, a collection of more than 400 community resource listings, tips, and other helpful information for people living in York Region, is now available as a free, downloadable PDF to anyone who needs it. The guide is also available in French.

The digital guide has direct links to websites and phone numbers for York Region community resources embedded within the directory, making it easy to navigate for people who are seeking services or need support.

The guide serves as a handy companion to Up Hub, York Region’s go-to digital and print community resource navigator for local services in mental health, addictions, and developmental disabilities. It’s also a peer-based platform for people to share their stories and uplifting experiences to help others.

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Up Your Life Guide

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With listings for food banks and pantries, emergency shelters and housing, clothing and furniture and much more, the Up Your Life guide is designed to connect people in York Region who need support to vital local services and resources. The updated edition has been revised to reflect changes to services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with new sections for youth, newcomers, abuse survivors, seniors, 2SLGBTQ+ folks, new mothers, First Nations, Metis and Inuit and other vulnerable groups.

“Seeking support can present a serious challenge when you’re struggling, especially for those of us who are members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We sometimes require specialized services that are unique to our lived experiences, but are often hard to find.

I know firsthand what it’s like to feel isolated and excluded, as well as the frustration of scrolling through various websites and making phone calls to countless organizations hoping to find the right resources to help me cope. I wish I had known about the Up Your Life guide back then; it would have made a big difference. But what I know for sure today is this: Should I find myself struggling in the future, there’s a resource I can turn to that will help me find support. And now you know it, too. I hope it serves you well.” – J.R.

History and Background

York Region on a Limited Budget was inspired by a group of individuals who wondered how they could eat and live better, but do so inexpensively. A committee was formed by people who were living on limited incomes. They were given an opportunity to research options for stretching one’s budget. In 1997, York Region on a Limited Budget was published as a result of their work.Since the initial production, Your Support Services Network (YSSN) undertook the task of updating and printing several revised editions of this booklet, often with the assistance of consumers. Ever growing in popularity, this booklet garnered the interest and generous support of valued community partners.In 2017, YSSN received support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to update this guidebook so that it better reflects the changing and diverse population of York Region. YSSN partnered with community members and people with lived experiences, alongside a group of community partners, to revise this book so that it is more inclusive and reflective of our community.

York Region financial assistance programs