Outreach and Support Groups
The safety and health of our community members is one of the City's top priorities. The City of Oshawa is leading change by finding new and innovative ways to help those who are unsheltered and most vulnerable in our community. Through partnerships, we reach out to service providers and other cities to find local, compassionate solutions.
Mayor's Task Force on Community Safety, Security and Well-Being
The Mayor's Task Force on Community Safety, Security and Well-Being brings together community stakeholders to identify and propose opportunities to address community safety, security and well-being issues facing the city.
If you see it, report it!
The "If you see it, report it" campaign calls on community members to non-criminal and nuisance related issues to Service Oshawa and criminal activity to Durham Regional Police Service to make a safer community.
Unsheltered Outreach
Working together with Durham Region's Primary Care Outreach Program, community service providers, the Durham Regional Police Service mobile response team and the City's Municipal Law Enforcement team – there is continuous contact with unsheltered residents.
Visit the Finding Help webpage for information on emergency shelters and for contact information on how to report debris / discarded needles in a City park, trail, greenspace or facility to report illegal activity in our public spaces.
On Point Program |
The On Point program facilitates the removal of used needles and drug paraphernalia from parks, trails and greenspaces. The program provides employment and support to individuals working under the program who have experienced mental health issues, addiction or living unsheltered. We are measuring the success of the program. As of March 31, 2021:
On Point is being partially funded through the Community Homeless Prevention Initiative (C.H.P.I.). The initial funding amount for this project is $104,400:
Please do not pick up a used needle with your hands. For more information on how to protect yourself if you find a needle on City or your own property see information below on safe needle disposal units. To report illegal activity (e.g. drug use, thefts, vandalism, aggressive behaviour), please contact Durham Region Police Services at 905-579-1520 or [email protected]. |
Welcoming Streets |
Providing targeted street outreach services to vulnerable individuals, as well as education and training to businesses in our downtown. Through this initiative, community-based outreach workers serve as a point of first contact and help connect those who are vulnerable to services that they need while providing support, education and training to downtown businesses. |
Safe needle disposal units |
The City in collaboration with John Howard Society of Durham Region, provides and installs safe needle disposal units in priority City parks and greenspaces. The John Howard Society of Durham Region monitors the units and takes care of the proper disposal of the sharps collected as part of their Project X-Change program. The units are located in:
To report a discarded needle or sharp found in a City park, please contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311. Be safeCommunity members are reminded that if a needle or sharp is found on your property:
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Resources
Below are just some of the many active service organizations and service groups in our community.
- Back Door Mission for the Relief of Poverty
- Carea Community Health Centre
- CAMH: The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- Cornerstone Community Association Durham
- Durham Outlook for the Needy
- Feed the Need Durham
- Gate 3:16 Outreach Centre
- John Howard Society of Durham Region
- Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
- Pinewood Addiction Services
- Salvation Army
- Simcoe Hall Settlement House
- The Refuge Youth Outreach Centre
- United Way