Ontario Association of Young Parent Agencies

Ontario Association of Young Parent Agencies Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Ontario Association of Young Parent Agencies, Charitable organisation, Toronto, ON.

We work together to champion a comprehensive system of prevention, early intervention, and treatment services meeting the needs of adolescent mothers, their infants and children across Ontario.

Exciting news! The Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions is inviting feedback on their dra...
03/24/2026

Exciting news! The Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions is inviting feedback on their draft live-in treatment quality standards.
Do you have experience with live-in treatment? Accessing it, trying to access it, supporting someone seeking treatment, working in a live-in treatment program, or developing or implementing live-in treatment programs? If so, then consider participating in this important initiative.
šŸ’” Feedback options include an anonymous survey, consultation, track changes, voice memo, or email.
šŸ“… Deadline: April 10, 11:59 PM
Learn more: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SNG3QL6

03/12/2026

We are excited to announce our March Member of the Month!

Today, November 25th, is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.Nearly 1 in 3 women will ex...
11/25/2025

Today, November 25th, is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Nearly 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime ā€” a staggering reality that continues to demand urgent action.

Across Ontario, OAYPA member agencies are seeing this crisis reflected every day. More young mothers are reaching out for safety, and more complex cases are emerging as housing instability, immigration challenges, and systemic inequities compound the risks faced by young families.

Our members are responding to rising high-risk situations, growing mental-health needs, and the ongoing impacts of coercive control. Through trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and wraparound supports, agencies across the province are helping women and young parents rebuild safety, stability, and a sense of control over their lives.

Today and every day, OAYPA stands in solidarity with survivors ā€” and in partnership with the frontline workers who show up with compassion, skill, and courage. Ending gender-based violence requires all of us.

11/18/2025

A viral TikTok from Texas shows a young Black pregnant woman in visible, excruciating labour being kept in a hospital waiting area while staff focus on intake questions instead of urgent care.

This clip is hard to watch ā€” and itā€™s a painful reminder of what Black pregnant and parenting youth face across North America, including here in Canada.

In Voices Unheard: Healthcare Barriers and the Lived Experiences of Black Women in Canada (https://bwhealthinstitute.com/voices-unheard/) , Black women shared the painful truth:
ā€¢ 66% felt dismissed by healthcare providers
ā€¢ 42% delayed seeking care due to fear of anti-Black racism
ā€¢ 1 in 4 experienced thoughts of self-harm
ā€¢ Many faced trauma during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum

These are not isolated moments ā€” they are systemic patterns.
At the Ontario Association of Young Parent Agencies (OAYPA), Black maternal mental health remains a priority, and this video is another reminder of why the work cannot stop.

If you are a young Black parent or pregnant youth in Ontario, you deserve care that listens to you ā€” not dismisses you. You are not alone, and support is available.
Visit our website to find an OAYPA member agency near you for programs, mental health support, parenting resources, and community that you can count on.
Your voice matters.

Your story matters.
Your well-being matters.

šŸ§” September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We stand with Indigenous young parents, children, and famil...
09/22/2025

šŸ§” September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We stand with Indigenous young parents, children, and families.

OAYPA recognizes the ongoing impacts of colonialism and affirms our commitment to equity, justice, and collective healing.

šŸ§” Every Child Matters.

06/26/2025

This month's member of the month is.......

šŸŒˆSupporting Ontarioā€™s LGBTQIA+ Resources You Can Count On!Navigating life as a young LGBTQIA+ parent can come with uniqu...
06/06/2025

šŸŒˆSupporting Ontarioā€™s LGBTQIA+ Resources You Can Count On!

Navigating life as a young LGBTQIA+ parent can come with unique challenges. OAYPA recognizes this and we find it important to let you know that this Pride month and beyond it is important to support young parents and everyone that identifies as LGBTQIA+. Here are some resources in Ontario to support your organization and provide resources for helping LGBTQIA+ youth thrive.

Supporting Our Youth (SOY) ā€” Education, health, and social support (sherbourne.on.ca)

Pflag Canada ā€” Peer support and advocacy (pflagcanada.ca)

Egale Canada ā€” National human rights organization with youth programs (egale.ca)

Gay-Straight Alliance Network ā€” Creating safe school environments (gsanetwork.org)

YouthLine ā€” Peer support across Ontario (youthline.ca)

If you know of a young parent looking for support, these organizations offer resources such as safe spaces, and community connection. Together, we can build stronger, more inclusive futures. šŸ’œ
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As we recognize Childrenā€™s Mental Health Week, OAYPA reaffirms a core belief that guides everything we do: Mental Health...
05/02/2025

As we recognize Childrenā€™s Mental Health Week, OAYPA reaffirms a core belief that guides everything we do: Mental Health Mattersā€”for every child, every young parent, and every family.

This yearā€™s theme, ā€œVoices Unheard, Stories Told: Centering the Diversity of Ontarioā€™s Infants, Children & Youth,ā€ shines a light on the persistent barriers many families face when accessing care. For young parents who face unique challenges, from navigating systems to balancing care. parenting and education, all while supporting their childrenā€™s mental wellness, these barriers can be even more complex.

Thatā€™s why our 2024ā€“2027 Strategic Plan focuses on building a comprehensive system of prevention, early intervention, and treatment services. We are committed to working with government and partners to ensure timely, equitable care and early supports for young parents and their infants and children across Ontario.

Join us in breaking the stigma, starting the conversations, and pushing for accessible mental health supports so young parents and their children can thrive.

šŸ“š Happy International Children's Book Day! šŸŽ‰Today, we celebrate the magic of books and the joy of reading! Whether itā€™s ...
04/01/2025

šŸ“š Happy International Children's Book Day! šŸŽ‰

Today, we celebrate the magic of books and the joy of reading! Whether itā€™s a bedtime story, an adventurous tale, or a heartfelt picture book, stories have the power to spark imagination, build attachment, and shape young minds.

To all the parentsā€”especially the amazing young moms out thereā€”thank you for nurturing a love of reading with your little ones. šŸ’–

āœØ Whatā€™s your childā€™s favorite book? Share in the comments below! ā¬‡ļøšŸ“–

04/01/2025

We are excited to announce our April Member of the Month!

Fresh Start Support Services

The Ontario Association of Young Parents Agencies (OAYPA) invites you to join us for a webinar that will highlight a new...
03/24/2025

The Ontario Association of Young Parents Agencies (OAYPA) invites you to join us for a webinar that will highlight a new policy brief developed by Wilfrid Laurier University, offering research-driven insights and recommendations to improve support systems for young parents and their children.

Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
Time: 12:00 -1:30PM
Location: Virtual (Teams)

Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/bfJ1VtJ46K

Presenters:
- Alexandra Burman, MSc Candidate, Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University
- Hannah Denberg, MSc Candidate, Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University
- Dr. Melody Morton Ninomiya, Associate Professor, Health Sciences, Wilfred Laurier University

Panelists
- Ekua Asabea Blair, President, OAYPA; President/CEO, Abiona Centre For Infant & Early Mental Health
- Gillian Thompson, Nurse Practitioner, Young Families Program, SickKids
- Jane Kenny, Vice President, OAYPA; Executive Director, Rosalie Hall
- Promise U Now, Young Parent and Researcher
- NK, Young Parent

What to Expect:
- Presentation of Key Findings ā€“ Learn about the challenges young parents face and policy gaps that need urgent attention.
- Expert Panel Discussion ā€“ Hear from researchers, sector leaders, young parents and service providers.
- Interactive Q&A ā€“ Share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions.

03/21/2025

Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Ontario Association of Young Parent Agencies stands in solidarity with all communities and proudly celebrate the diversity of our young parents and their children.

One of the core pillars of our strategic plan is dedicated to reducing disparities and promoting equitable access to services by actively working to dismantle racism, anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, and social inequality affecting young parents and their infants/children. We believe that every young parent deserves support, empowerment, and a community where they feel safe, heard, and respectedā€”no matter their race, background, or identity.

Our young parents and their children represent a rich mosaic of cultures, traditions, and experiences that make us stronger together. By embracing this diversity, we create an inclusive future where every family can thrive, grow, and reach their fullest potential.

Letā€™s continue to amplify the voices of young parents, uplift their stories, and work towards a world free from racial discrimination.

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Toronto, ON

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