Your health and safety are our priority. While all in-person Toronto Writers Collective workshops are postponed until further notice in response to COVID-19, we are offering virtual workshops as listed below. We understand the importance of writing for our community, so we will continue sharing prompts, updates and workshops through digital means. Feel free to reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
Join us for Creative Writing Workshops
Hover over calendar details for more information. Scroll below calendar for more information about individual workshops. For addresses and more ifonformation on individual workshops please contact us.
Open Workshop – means it’s open to everyone and advance registration is not required
In-House Workshop – means it’s limited to attendees of the hosting facilities’ program and therefore not open to the public
a
TWC Virtual Workshop Partners
Centretown Community Health Centre: https://www.centretownchc.org
Centretown Community Health Centre is a nonprofit, multi-service Community Health Centre
that plays an active role in the community. Our programs and services provide an ingrained
presence in communities throughout the city so people can access the support that they need.
Family Councils of Ontario: https://fco.ngo
Family Councils of Ontario is a charitable organization that exists to build capacity, create meaningful collaborations and provide learning opportunities for a diverse membership of supportive families to improve the quality of life and provide a vibrant experience and best care for people in long-term care.
The Power Plant: http://www.thepowerplant.org
The Power Plant is Canada’s leading public gallery devoted exclusively to contemporary visual art. It is a vital forum for the advanced artistic culture of our time.
TWC Workshops
519 Church Street Community Centre: Open Workshop, 519 Church St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2C9 www.the519.org
The 519 is the hub of community life for the LGBTQ community, providing over 80 community-led programs that provide peer support and social, recreational, arts, and cultural opportunities. Open workshop
Alpha House: www.alphahousetoronto.ca/
Alpha House is an addiction recovery community addressing the needs of self-identified men and non-binary people aged 18 and up. At Alpha House we believe that recovery from addiction and mental illnesses must address every aspect of the individual. As a result, our programs address physical, mental, spiritual, and social needs, all in an effort to support the individual’s recovery from addiction.
Anishnawbe Heath Toronto: www.aht.ca
AHT aims to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal People in spirit, mind, emotion and body by providing Traditional Healing within a multidisciplinary health care model. Closed Workshop
Compass Program: Christ Church Mississauga: thecompass.ca
We provide a safe and welcoming place for people to come to for help. We offer immediate assistance with food, then work with clients offering practical and spiritual support to the challenges that often come along with a low income. Open workshop
Cota Health: www.cotainspires.ca/
Cota is an accredited, not-for-profit, community-based organization that has been supporting adults with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities for over 45 years. We provide person-centred supports that assist individuals to find inspiration and hope in their inherent strengths and support them to pursue meaningful change in their lives, as they define it. In-House workshop
Evelyn Gregory Library Open Workshop, 120 Trowell Ave, York, ON M6M 1L7 https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca
Following collaboration on the Write On! program, the Evelyn Gregory branch has continued an expressive writing workshop to provide writers an opportunity to hone their skills and receive feedback in a supportive environment, and network with other aspiring writers. Open workshop
Fred Victor Housing : Open Workshop, 145 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON M5C 1S1 www.fredvictor.org/housing
Fred Victor Housing provides responsive, accessible and innovative housing and services for men and women who have experienced homelessness and poverty or have lived in unhealthy or sub-standard accommodations. Open workshop
Friends and Advocates Peel: https://fapeel.org/
Friends & Advocates is a Community Adult Mental Health Organization, and has provided Social Rehabilitation services since 1986.
FAAP provides support to those who have experienced Mental/Emotional Distress resulting in Social Isolation. We provide members with opportunities to develop strong Communication, Interpersonal and Leadership Skills. In-House workshop
LOFT TAY www.loftcs.org
The LOFT Transitional Age Youth Programs (TAY) provides access to services on a voluntary basis for youth under 25 years who live with mental health, physical health and substance use challenges. We provide individual and group counseling, social drop-ins, case management/community support, a wide range of housing alternatives, and 24 hr phone and text support to our clients. We serve young people from a diverse range of gender, racial and cultural communities and make every effort to provide an equitable, non-judgmental environment for youth to receive support and build independence. Closed workshop
Main Street Library Toronto Public Library Open Workshop, 137 Main St, Toronto, ON M4E 2V9 www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/mainstreet
Mood Disorders Ottawa: https://www.mooddisordersottawa.ca/
MDO is a registered non-profit volunteer-run organization that supports people with mood disorders and their loved ones.
Mustard Seed, Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph Open Workshop, 791 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON M4M 1H6 http://www.csj-to.ca/mustard-seed
The Mustard Seed is a welcoming community space that provides opportunities for participants and volunteers to nurture mind, body and spirit, while developing life skills and creativity. Open workshop
MyToronto: https://mytorontocalendar.com/
The MYTORONTO program provides people affected by homelessness and poverty an opportunity to engage in artistic expression, make meaningful connections, learn new skills and gain extra income.
Progress Place www.progressplace.org
Progress Place is a recovery centre for people living with mental illness such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Depression and Anxiety. Combining a comprehensive network of services that includes ePrmployment, education, recreation and housing, our innovative approach to psychosocial rehabilitation is progressive and world-renowned. Mental illness need not be an obstacle to fulfilling one’s dreams. We are committed to helping people stay out of hospitals, achieve their personal goals and contribute to the communities they live in. Closed workshop
Na Me Res www.nameres.org
The Na-Me-Res team meets the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional needs of our clients wherever they are on their journey. We are traditional Elders & teachers, case managers, counsellors, client care and support workers, street outreach workers, housing support and aftercare workers, Registered Nurses, Oshkabaywis (spiritual helpers), and a life skills coordinator. Na-Me-Res also partners with psychiatrists, doctors, and many other community service providers. In-House Workshop
Peel Recovery West: https://cmhapeeldufferin.ca/programs-services/recovery-west/
At Recovery West we believe that everyone in recovery from mental
health issues should have support from their peers and a variety of opportunities throughout their journey in recovery. This program promotes Mental Health Recovery through groups, activities and vocational services with a focus on peer support. In-House Workshop
Renascent Health – Graham Munro Centre www.renascent.ca
Renascent facilitates recovery, education and prevention relating to substance addictions through a continuum of programs and services for individuals, families and organizations. All people affected by substance addictions will be guided with hope, tools and living examples, to achieve a life of physical, mental and spiritual health. In-House workshop
Other locations: Punanai Treatment Centre and Paul J. Sullivan House, Whitby
Sandy Hill Community Health Centre: https://www.shchc.ca/
Sandy Hill CHC is a not-for-profit health and social services organization serving a diverse community in the Sandy Hill and Old Ottawa East Communities. Some of our programs have the capacity to serve the greater Ottawa region.
CreativeHub 1352: www.creativehub1352.ca/
A unique and exciting heritage space in Mississauga filled with memories and possibilities. A multi-disciplinary creative hub to connect, create, collaborate across the arts, heritage, culture, the environment and technology. A space for innovation, visual arts, performing arts, community events, community gardens, environmental stewardship, community development and more. Open workshop
Street Haven: www.streethaven.org
The Street Haven Learning Centre provides free educational and pre-employment services for women. We deliver programming that is flexible and women-centred. Open
Write On! Internally generated workshops
Mentored workshops in conjunction with the Toronto Public Library at various locations in the city to provide resources to unheard people within our society. The material created in the workshops will be a published and online anthology in April.
YWCA: https://www.ywcatoronto.org/
We help women and girls flee violence, secure housing, find jobs, establish their
voices, enhance skills and develop confidence. We offer a range of housing options,
employment and training programs, community support programs, girls’ programs and
family programs; we also engage in systemic advocacy.
On hiatus at this time:
FJC Refugee Centre – Closed Workshop https://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/
KGO Adult Learning http://www.kgoadultliteracy.com
The KGO Adult Literacy Program is a grassroots, volunteer-run literacy program that assists adults ages 21 years and older in the Kingston-Galloway-Orton Park community with their reading, writing and math skills.
Mississauga Central Library www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/centrallibrary
Sistering Open Workshop 962 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M6H 1L6 www.sistering.org
Sistering is a multi-service agency for at-risk, socially isolated women in Toronto who are homeless or precariously housed. Open workshop
S. Walter Stewart Library, Toronto Public Library www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/swalterstewart
St Stephen’s Community House (Temporarily Canceled) Open workshop, 91 Bellevue Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2N8, www.sschto.ca
STAR www.stmichaelshospital.com/programs/mentalhealth/star
This program provides a safe and welcoming environment that helps people discover or rediscover activities that are meaningful to them. It also provides opportunities for people to develop the skills they need to secure or maintain stable housing.
STAR has partnered with community organizations to offer a range of free classes from skills training to arts-based recreation. The classes are designed to support people as they make the transition to housing and work to recover their mental health.
The Toronto People With Aids Foundation http://www.pwatoronto.org
The Toronto People With AIDS Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that exists to engage people living with HIV/AIDS in enhancing their health and wellbeing through practical and therapeutic support services and broader social change, and inspire them to live into their dreams and discoveries.
Workman Arts www.workmanarts.com/about
Workman Arts is an arts and mental health organization known internationally for its artistic collaborations, presentations, knowledge exchange, best practices and research on the impact of the arts on the quality of life of people living with mental illness and addiction.
Wychwood Open Door www.wychwoodopendoor.org
A day-time drop-in centre serving homeless and socially isolated people in Toronto’s mid-town St. Clair West community since 1986. Wychwood Open Door exists to reduce social isolation, boost nutrition and help develop life skills among homeless and socially isolated people. We believe that no one in our neighbourhood should go hungry or without basic support systems.