Social Support & Counselling
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Helping Families Thrive
At MRCSSI, we believe every family deserves access to compassionate, culturally informed support. Our Social Support and Counselling programs help newcomer families navigate challenges, connect with services, and strengthen their well-being. Thanks to our funders and partners, we’re able to respond to complex needs and provide meaningful care for individuals and families in our community.
By The Numbers (2024)
- 370 referrals for clinical support were made last year, reflecting the urgent need for responsive counselling.
- Dozens of families at risk of homelessness and violence accessed our crisis support services.
- With the support of United Way of London and Middlesex, outreach extended to hundreds of newcomer families in London and Elgin.
referrals for clinical support were made in 2024, reflecting the urgent need for responsive counselling.
Evidence-Based, Culturally Informed Programs
If you require immediate assistance,
dial 9-1-1
How to Get Help
If you or your family need support, MRCSSI is here to walk alongside you.
- Contact us by email at intake@mrcssi.com
- Intake Interview – A member of our team will connect with you to learn more about your needs and match you with the right supports.
- Program & Support Connection – We’ll connect you with counselling, community services, or specialized programs that best fit your family’s situation.
You are not alone — help is just a message away.
Connecting Families to Services
With funding from United Way of London and Middlesex, MRCSSI provides yearly outreach to cultural and linguistic communities. This helps newcomer families access community-based and mainstream services they are eligible for, often serving as the first point of contact for those in need.
Supporting Settlement and Integration
With funding from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), we provide continued support to newcomer families as they settle into life in Canada. These services focus on overcoming barriers to stability, integration, and mental well-being.
Responding to Growing Needs
The demand for social support has grown significantly in both volume and complexity. Families facing homelessness and high-risk situations are at greater risk for violence and instability. Our team works with urgency and compassion to meet these needs, ensuring no family is left without support.
Access to Expert Consultation
Our clinicians benefit from consultation with specialists in child, youth, and adult mental health:
- Dr. Sohail Makhdoom (CPRI) supports our team on child and youth cases.
- Dr. Mohamad Elfakhani and his team (London Health Sciences Centre) provide expertise on adult mental health.
This collaboration strengthens our ability to respond to the increasing demand and complexity of cases in our community.
Impact Story
A woman had to flee from home due to safety reasons, leaving her 3 children and husband back home. Since she came to Canada, she was struggling mentally due to the impact of trauma she experienced back home from the government and leaving her children behind.
We continue to support this family related to child protection and domestic violence.
This story, exemplifies the profound impact that community support and advocacy can have on those in need, showing that even the most challenging problems can find a path to resolution when people come together with empathy and determination.
Here’s how we helped.
1
We made calls, referrals, wellness checks, and advocacy through the MP’s office to help speed up the immigration process for her to reunite with her family.
2
We facilitated psychiatric services to get mental health support, and we provided faith-based support.
3
Also, we provided advocacy for housing when the family arrived. We worked collaboratively with the church group to reunite the family.