What we do
Programs/Groups
Bullying is a serious and complex issue with devastating effects for victims, bullies and bystanders. Research demonstrates that community and school based interventions can reduce the level of peer to peer bullying. The Bullying Prevention Program has been initiated by OCHC and is designed to address the issue of bullying within our communities. This program will operate with direct partnership with the Durham District School Board.
Please call 905-723-0036 extension 227 for more information.
Artscape is an art program being offered to adults/parents in the Glen Street Neighbourhood. This group will be an opportunity for adults in the community to explore various art mediums in a fun, encouraging and positive manner. Parents will be able to add to their own skill set which they can in turn share with others including their own children. Participants will learn simple techniques using various mediums such as clay, water color, oil pastel, face painting, poster design and fabric painting. Registration is required.
For more information call 905-723-0036 extension 241.
A 12-hour Red Cross babysitting certificate course will be provided for children aged 12-16 in the Oshawa area. The babysitting workshop enhances the skills and knowledge of the young people involved.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS RUN ONLY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.
For more information, please contact 905 723 0036 ext.225
This is an 8-week health promotion group for up to 15 women, which explores all aspects of body image, how it is created, and ways to develop and maintain a healthy image. The program's goal is to increase women" self-acceptance and decrease preoccupation with food and weight. Intended outcomes will be improved self-esteem and awareness of proper diet. To ensure access, free childcare will be offered to group participants.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 223.
Breastfeeding Buddies is an informal support group for nursing mothers. Its mission is to provide peer support for breastfeeding mothers, their children and their support persons. The group offers information, support and non judgmental guidance to help women have a successful and satisfying nursing experience. It is also a chance for breastfeeding moms to meet and share their experiences with other breastfeeding moms. Pregnant moms, children and support people are all welcome. Nutritious snacks and drinks will be available. No registration necessary.
The group runs on Monday and Friday mornings, from 9:30-11:30am. The group is held in Program Room 1B at the Oshawa Community Health Centre, 115 Grassmere Avenue, Oshawa, L1H 3X7
Contact info: 905 723 0036 extension 241 for more information
Challenge, Change, and Choices
A 20-week women's therapy group aimed at women experiencing difficulties in their lives. Currently they may be struggling with low self-esteem depression or anxiety. This program will provide an opportunity for acknowledging the impact of past trauma and other difficulties in an atmosphere of understanding and support.
For more information call 905 723 0036 extn 216
Community Education and Training
As part of our ongoing health promotion activities, Oshawa Community Health Centre responds to select requests for education seminars and training regarding an array of health issues.
For more information call 905 723 0023
The Community Kitchen Program is a six-week (three hours per week) nutrition program for parents and caregivers of children ages 0 through 6 years. The program would provide participants with the opportunity to plan, prepare, and cook nutritious and healthy meals on a budget. The program will promote healthy eating, the development of new skills and increased social networks.
Please call 905-723-0036 extension 224 for more information.
The Creative Circle offers an informal and welcoming gathering place for those who enjoy quilting and other creative work. Together, we work on a quilting project that is later donated towards a raffle or another charitable cause. Stitching instructions are provided along with the sharing of friendly conversation, innovative craft ideas, and a weekly show-and-tell.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 215.
Dad's VIP Group is an interactive drop-in program where Dads can attend with or without their children for free play time in the gym, crafts, discussion and dinner. This program runs once per week. Dads and children will have access to the gym and its equipment. Parenting discussion may be available as well as guest speakers and various projects to work on. This group will provide positive modeling, opportunties for discussion and growth, referrals and links to community resources as requested.
For more information call 905-723-0036 Extension 241.
G. L. Robert's Wellness Centre
Many of the youth we serve experience issues related to isolation and lack of supportive recreation programs that are free of charge. Girls, between the ages of 11 and 14 in particular, experience even greater issues of isolation and support services. Girls Hang Out is a registered Program operating at a host elementary school. The program operates once a week for a period of 7 weeks during 1st or 2nd semester of school. This program will offer both informal and formal discussions on various topics (self esteem, body image, anger management, etc.). This is a registered program (girls must pre-register) for up to 10 participants. Girls who register for this program must be willing to commit to attend all 7 sessions.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 227
Homeless Health Initiative/YWCA Health Care Services
Our part time Community Health Worker works closely with the homeless community and Cornerstone to provide direct service and develop programs that address the health needs of this population. In addition we will continue to provide clinical and outreach services to homeless populations through a partnership with the YWCA. Treatment of episodic illness, monitoring of chronic illness, health promotion and illness prevention, and counselling services are offered through this initiative. Please call 905-723-0036 for more information.
The LIT program will operate in conjunction with the VIK Summer Camp program. It will offer youth between the ages of 13 to 15 an opportunity to enhance their leadership, communication, and interpersonal and professional skills. Upon completion participants with receive a Leadership Certificate.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 228.
The Monday morning program will have three components, a preschool program for children 2.5 -4 yrs old, an activity group for children under 2.5 yrs old and a parenting support program. Programs will include structured playtime, crafts, a healthy snack and an interactive parent/child circle time. This program offers additional opportunities for parents to access parenting support, children to be involved in a structured program, and parents in the community to access a program that meets several of their needs
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext.224.
.The Nobody's Perfect Parenting Program is offered to parents with children 0 to 6. It is a discussion-based group that has 5 books that the participants get to keep once the program is completed. The program focuses on the needs of children, and their development in all areas, which are guided by the topics of the books, which are: body, mind, behaviour, parents, and safety. This program is a joint partnership between Family and Community Action Program, Oshawa Community Health Centre and the Ontario Early Years Centre.
For more information, please contact 905 723 0036 ext.224
This popular drop-in program invites women to learn how to care for themselves in positive and pro-active ways. A host of qualified presenters teach practical tools and resources that can be used on a day-to-day basis to improve personal well-being. Childcare is provided, and schedules for upcoming sessions and topics are available both at the Centre and on our web-site.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 215.
A Parent Advisory Committee has been established with the purpose of providing input into our Early Years programs and workshops. The Parent Advisory Committee will include individuals who either are the parents or caregivers of children 0 to 6 years of age, and other concerned community members. They will meet every 4 to 6 weeks or more often as needed. Childcare will be provided.
For more information, please contact 905 723 0036 ext.224
The topics of the workshops will be determined based on ongoing assessment of need and interest. The goal of the topics will be to enhance parental knowledge of early childhood development and positive parenting strategies. With the guidance of the Parent Advisory Committee, workshops will held twice a month at the 115 Grassmere Ave. from Sept. to June. Childcare will be provided.
Childcare is provided, however you need to call ahead (905 723 0036 x224)
The positive parenting group is a six week program for parents and caregivers of children ages 2-12. Parents are given the opportunity to share their experiences and to learn from one another. Facilitators will offer participants a variety of activities that will allow them to build on their existing skills in order to increase their parenting capacity.
Please call 905-723-0036 extension 224 for more information.
Now in its 19th year of operation, the objective of this program is to ensure healthy childhood development by addressing the health determinants of parenting and early child development. Preschool Program is designed to enhance the social, cognitive and emotional development of children. It provides parents with support, parenting resources, and respite from constant childcare. Our newly expanded preschool initiative now runs throughout the school year at over five outreach locations.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext.230 or 233
The South Oshawa Teen Council is a group of dedicated youth who fundraise and provide support to initiatives that improve the south Oshawa community. We will continue to aid and assist these youth of south Oshawa toward growth in life skills, and build upon the partnerships and sponsors currently associated with youth.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 228.
Please view our calendar link for Oshawa Community Health Centre's upcoming "Special Events."
Summer School Readiness Program
The Summer School Readiness Program will be a structured program designed for children entering Junior Kindergarten in September. Children will attend the program Monday through Thursday from 12:30 pm until 3:30 pm for six weeks from July until August. This program will be open to a maximum of 10 children (that will be referred by OCHC staff and/or community services agencies i.e. Durham Infant Development etc.), and will be planned, implemented and evaluated by two Oshawa Community Health Centre Early Years Staff.
Please call 905-723-0036 extension 227 for more information.
The purpose of this program is to provide a positive, cooperative early years program for children and their parents throughout the summer while the Preschool Program is not operating. Participants will have the opportunity to play interactive games, explore their environment and do crafts. This program will operate on a drop in basis at outdoor locations in south Oshawa.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 224.
The Teen Cuisine program aims at providing a fun environment for youth to come together, learn to prepare a healthy meal that they can enjoy and also take for lunch the next day. Youth 11 to 18 years are invited to participate. The program runs every Monday evening excluding statutory holidays) from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm in the kitchen at the South Oshawa Community Centre located at 1455 Cedar Street, Oshawa.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 227
The objective of this summer camp is to provide a structural, supervised camp experience for children in Oshawa. Accessibility will be ensured through a low registration fee. This program will continue to meet the need for recreational and social programming for children, as well as summer employment for 8 youths. Plenty of spaces available for kids to experience a great program that offers songs, arts & crafts, sports, marsh studies, theme days and field trips.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 228.
The agency will continue to support volunteer opportunities including recruitment, orientation, and recognition of volunteers. Current volunteer positions include board members, student placements, administrative assistants, program and childcare assistants, etc.
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities please call 905-723-0036 Extn. 228.
Young Women's Health Action Group
The Young Women's Health Action Group, (YWHAG), is a 15 week psycho-educational group for female students of G.L. Roberts C.V.I. The group is aimed at girls with alot of stress in their lives. Topics covered in YWHAG include, stress, problem solving, dealing with feelings, family and relationship problems, loss and grief and dealing with anger.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 216.
The Youth League, one of the city's largest youth recreational programs, will continue to provide Oshawa youth (7-19 yrs) free access to recreational, social, educational, and leadership opportunities. Programs are currently offered 7 days/nights per week throughout various schools in the city and our offices at 115 Grassmere Ave. Service partnerships with local schools remain a priority of this program. Proper nutrition is also addressed by offering free healthy snacks at designated locations.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 228.
Youth League -H.E.A.R.T. (Homework, Education, Activities & Reading Together)
Through this program, we aim to promote literacy and literacy skills in a relaxed, youth-friendly environment.
The program runs Monday from 6:00-8:00 for grades 1-3 and Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 for grades 4-6. A healthy snack will be provided every week. Each session opens with a sharing circle aimed at building a team dynamic and fostering oral communication skills amongst participating youth. This is followed by a story-telling activity where facilitators and youth participants take turns reading passages from the “Story of the Week”. We then do a group activity including story-writing, educational work sheets, games or crafts. At the end of each session 25 minutes will be set aside to help with individual homework needs.
This is a registered 10 week program, space is limited, call (905) 723-0036 ext. 228 for more information.
Youth Workshops and Community Health Projects
Forums and information sessions offering youth an opportunity to be involved and participate in informative and educational workshops/sessions on topics that affect them locally and region wide.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 225.
Youth to Youth is a program model, used throughout the world, to empower young people to mobilize on community issues of importance to them. Youth are trained to facilitate the program with younger children aged 7 to 13 years old. The children decide how they will research and take action on their topic. Youth to Youth runs throughout the year at various local schools.
For more information, please call 905 723 0036 ext. 225.



