Supports

Mental Health and Counselling Supports

Post-Secondary Accessibility Services

Crisis Lines

Abuse And Violence

• Assaulted Women Helpline
  1-866-863-0511 – 24 HOUR
• Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
  519-741-8633 – 24-hour crisis and support line.

Agency	Phone Number
Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) Helps people in Niagara who are in crisis and have a mental health concern	1-866-550-5205
Distress Centre Niagara Free, confidential 24-hour distress line	St. Catharines / Niagara Falls: 905-688-3711 Port Colborne / Wainfleet: 905-734-1212 Fort Erie: 905-382-0689 Grimsby / West Lincoln: 905-563-6674
Gillians Place Immediate phone support, emergency shelter or long-term support with creating a new, abuse-free life	905-684-8331 French services: 1-877-336-2433
Niagara Region Sexual Assault Centre 24-hour service	905-682-4584
ONTX Ontario Online and Text Crisis Services Available online or by phone from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily	Get chat or text support from ONTX.
Victim Services Niagara – Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario On-scene early intervention and crisis intervention to victims of crime and tragic circumstances	Crisis: 905-682-2626 Office: 905-688-4111 ext. 5084

Addictions

• Alateen
  1-800-352-9996
• Alcohol Abuse and Crisis Intervention
  1-800-234-0420
• Alcohol Hotline: Support and Intervention
  1-800-331-2900
• Gambling Craving Helpline
  519-824-1010 Ext: 2673
• National Drug Information Treatment and Referral Hotline
  1-800-662-4257

LGBTQ

• LGBTQ: Youth Hotline
  1-800-463-6273
  Distress Center: 519-745-1166
  Youth Crisis: 519-745-9909
• OUTline
  519-824-4120 Ext: 56358

Youth and Children

• Kids Help Phone
  1-800-668-6868
• Lesbian Gay, Bi, Transgender Youth Help Line
  1-800-268-youth
• The Distress Centre
  Crisis Line: 519-745-1166
  Youth Crisis: 519-745-9909

Adult Education – Returning to School

Prepare for college…at college with Academic Upgrading

If you do not have your high school diploma or you previously completed high school and need to refresh your skills, Niagara College’s tuition-free Academic Upgrading program can help you achieve your career goals.

Highlights

• Ministry-funded program that provides access to textbooks and potential financial support.
• Student advisors help you choose the courses that are right for you.
• Start dates every other week throughout most of the year (September to June).
• Opportunity to be assessed at intake then placed in the appropriate course and level you need to reach your goals.
• Choose to only take the courses required for admission to your chosen college program.
• Complete the requirements for the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Certificate, an equivalent to Grade 12 when applying for work or apprenticeship.
• Study in a college environment and enjoy the benefits offered to NC students including access to the library, gymnasium, cafeteria and health services.

Courses

Academic upgrading courses prepare you for postsecondary programs, apprenticeships, or employment. Pursue individualized programs in English, Mathematics, Science or Computer Applications.

Academic upgrading courses include:

• Communications – English
• Mathematics – From introductory math skills up to college entry level in business, apprenticeships, or technical math.
• Science – Physics, biology and chemistry to college entry level.
• Computer Fundamentals –  Learn and use common software applications.

You may also choose to earn the Academic and Career Entrance Certificate, which is accepted as equivalent to Grade 12 for employment and for apprenticeship registration.

Eligibility Requirements

This program is for students who:

• May not have a grade 12 diploma; or,
• Have a grade 12 diploma and need to upgrade their skills to apply for college; or,
• Lack specific courses/subjects needed to apply for a college program.
• Are 19 years of age or older.
• Are Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Convention Refugees.
• Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark score of 6, if English is not their first language.

How to Apply

This program has a continuous intake. For information about applying to Academic Upgrading please contact NC’s Academic Upgrading Office:

• Call: 905-641-2252 ext. 4418
• Email: academicupgrading@niagaracollege.ca
• Text: 905-933-3365

Visit the website for more details: https://www.niagaracollege.ca/liberal/program/literacy/#overview

Second Career

How to Apply

Are you eligible to apply for Second Career funding?
These are basic steps to assist you with your Second Career application. You are urged to attend an information session for detailed information about the Second Career funding process.

The Ontario Government determines who is eligible for Second Career funding. Follow these steps for information about your funding eligibility:

1. Make an appointment to speak with an Employment Counsellor at a Community Employment Service Provider, as only they can determine your eligibility to apply for the funding!
2. If you are eligible to apply for the funding, you and your Employment Counselor will discuss your employment and career goals, and determine the best related program to get the training you need.
3. Review the Program Information page to help narrow down the programs that you are interested in. Be sure to review the program admission requirements, as you must meet these requirements to obtain your Second Career Acceptance Letter.
   If you need Academic Upgrading to gain admission to a full-time program, you may be eligible to enroll in Academic Upgrading as part of your Second Career-funded training. Speak to your Employment Consultant about Second Career funding for upgrading. Visit Academic Upgrading to learn more about academic upgrading opportunities at Niagara College.

For general information about the Second Career initiative, visit the Ontario Second Career Government website.