Meeting the needs of Halton

The Oakville Distress Centre has been serving the community

for over thirty years. It was established in 1974 as the result

of a Needs Assessment Study which indicated the necessity for a

service to provide immediate, confidential, emotional support by

telephone for those in distress or crisis. 

At first, the centre was open only on Friday and Saturday

evenings, as the demand for the service grew, we extended

our hours. Currently, we operate seven days a week. 

We are a United Way Member Agency and we are funded by The United Ways of Oakville and Milton, Service Clubs, and Churches and by private donations.

We believe we also fill a critical role in our area, by referring people with obvious need to professional help or to other agencies. Our computer database is comprised of hundreds of support services in Halton, Peel, and the GTA.  However, the majority of our callers need only an empathetic ear, emotional support and some assistance to begin to solve their own problems.

The fact that we are immediately available, completely confidential, and anonymous, encourages troubled people who may fear face-to-face encounters, to use our service. We are

a unique service in that we use trained volunteers in front-line work with people in crisis.

At present, the centre has one staff person - the Executive