The Help Centre

08/31/2026

It’s been another busy month at The Help Centre!

Service Volume and Complexity

Demand for The Help Centre services continues to increase, both in overall volume and in the complexity of support required. Staff are responding to more than 750 telephone calls per month, ranging from brief information requests to complex calls lasting 30 minutes or longer. The Help Centre is also seeing more than 75 drop-ins each month, with staff estimating that at least 35% involve a significant or immediate crisis.

These numbers represent only the initial point of contact and do not capture the considerable follow-up, advocacy, applications, referrals and coordination frequently required.

If you would like to help us in helping our Neighbours, please consider donating.

You can donate at at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-help-centre-of-northumberland/ or drop a cheque by our office in the Fleming Building.

08/19/2026

Come join us for our Annual Meeting to get a better sense of just how hard our agencies’ staff at, The Help Centre and Northumberland Community Legal Centre work everyday for Northumberland County’s most vulnerable neighbours ❤️❤️❤️

Plus, we will get to celebrate 35 YEARS of the Northumberland Community Legal Centre 🥳

08/19/2026

A fun event with our friends at HOPE next Friday 28 August 🤗

08/15/2026

08/05/2026

It’s still INCOME TAX SEASON!

Yes, many of us have filed our taxes, but for some they are still pulling their information together. That is why The Help Centre is continuing to offer its free Income Tax Program on WEDNESDAY mornings.

How busy is the Program? To date, we have:
* Processed more than 1,200 returns; and
* We have brought more than $3,000,000 (MILLION) back into the community in the form of tax refunds, rebates and grants 💰

Thank you to our Volunteers who help us in assisting our Clients, who in turn all work to support our local businesses 🤗

08/05/2026

Check it out: things to do in the County this fall 🤸‍♀️

📣 Our Fall 2026 Program Calendar Has Arrived! 🍂

Get ready for a season full of workshops, wellness programs, and community connections!

🍁 Our September–December 2026 Fall Program Calendar is now available!

🗓️ Registration opens Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM.

Browse the full calendar and download a registration form on our website:
🌐 https://chcnorthumberland.ca/events/

There are 3 easy ways to register:

📧 Email: [email protected]

📞 Call: 905-885-2626 ext. 280 and leave a voicemail

🏢 Drop off your completed registration form at our front reception. Registration forms are available online or you can pick up a printed copy at our front desk.

Programs can fill quickly, so be sure to mark your calendar and register starting August 12 at 9:00 AM. We look forward to seeing you this fall! 🍂

07/22/2026

“Consider This” is rebroadcasting some of its important episodes from earlier this year. If you missed, Kim Lauder speaking on the Seniors’ homelessness crisis in Northumberland County, here’s another opportunity.

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The Help Centre’s Executive Director, Kim Lauder, on “Consider This” speaking about homelessness and the Seniors’ Crisis in Northumberland County. (Type “Consider This” into your browser to find the interview.) Even if you only have 15 minutes to listen, the beginning alone of this interview will leave you wondering how you can help ❤️‍🩹

The Highlights:

* Increase in Seniors becoming homeless is growing in Northumberland County because of increased costs of food, transportation, medication, mobility aids, etc.;
* Just renting a ROOM in the County costs $1,000 per month, and comes with no Tenants’ Rights, ie eviction could happen at any time;
* Technology issues make accessing assistance difficult for some Seniors;
* Some Seniors are left to manage financial matters for the first time after the loss of a spouse

By “Seniors”, Kim is referring to those over 65 years of age, but also those in their 70s, 80s and even 90s! Some of these individuals no longer have living friends or family to help them navigate the system 💔

Kim offers some solutions:
* Working with other agencies to assist Seniors in need.
* Offering workshops to help avoid this happening to others in the future as they approach their “Golden Years”.

However, as Kim notes, “Solutions are limited and the crisis is strong”.

If you would like to help, please consider DONATING ❤️ via CanadaHelps: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-help-centre-of-northumberland/

Or, if you have ideas or solutions please reach out to us at: [email protected] ❤️‍🩹

07/15/2026

Respite from the heat 🥵 and smoke 💨 Drop in!

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: In response to the heat and poor air quality, the Town of Cobourg would like to remind residents that the Victoria Hall lobby is open to all members of the public who require temporary respite.

Cobourg currently falls under an Orange Air Quality Warning (high impact). Conditions may improve Friday (July 17) morning. Smoke from ongoing forest fires in northern Ontario is affecting air quality across many parts of the province, including our area. For current air quality information and health guidance, visit 👉https://weather.gc.ca/en/location/index.html?coords=43.963,-78.165

Those who require temporary respite from the outdoors may visit the Victoria Hall lobby (55 King Street West, Cobourg). Victoria Hall’s air exchange system is equipped with pre-filters and HEPA air filters. A warning that 100% of particles cannot be removed, however, air quality within Victoria Hall is monitored by sensors.
Wednesday - 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday - 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Learn more in our full public notice 👉https://www.cobourg.ca/news/posts/victoria-hall-available-for-temporary-respite-from-the-air-quality-and-heat/

Cobourg Public Library Cobourg Community Centre

07/14/2026

It’s hot out there 🥵 Here are some places in Cobourg to get cool 😎

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Please be advised that a Yellow Heat Warning has been issued for most of the region, including Cobourg, on Monday, July 13 with temperatures forecasted to last through to Wednesday or Thursday evening. The Town of Cobourg would like to remind residents to take precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses, and that municipal cooling centres are available for temporary respite from the heat and humidity. 🌞🌡

Town of Cobourg Temporary Cooling Centres are open this week during the following hours:

Victoria Hall, 55 King Street West, Cobourg
Monday to Wednesday - 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday - 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Note: Refillable water bottle stations are available inside Victoria Hall for public use.

Cobourg Public Library, 200 Ontario Street, Cobourg
Monday to Wednesday - 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday to Saturday - 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Cobourg Community Centre, 750 D'Arcy Street, Cobourg
Open daily: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

For more information, please read our full public notice 👉https://www.cobourg.ca/news/posts/heat-warning-in-effect-for-cobourg/

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