Community Supports
Stratford Public Library's commitment to your well-being stretches well beyond the confines of our shelves. We're also a place where you can find the resources, connections, and care that you need.
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Career Connect
Are you new to Canada, and looking for help finding work or adapting your skills for the Canadian job market? Or, do you consider yourself local, and want a change of career?
Drop-in for a chat with a Partners in Employment Career Counselor at the Stratford Public Library. Discuss your next steps, and how to build the career you love.
View our events page for dates and times
Questions? Email us at askspl@splibrary.ca or call 519-271-0220
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Community Volunteer Income Tax Program
Need help getting your taxes done? If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, you may qualify to have your taxes done for free through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. This program begins October 23.
We offer two options for filing returns:- Drop off your documents at the library, and the library and volunteer will mail your documents back after filing
- Attend a Zoom meeting with the volunteer who will complete your return
Contact Shauna Costache at scostache@splibrary.ca or 519-271-0220 x114 or complete the form below to get started.
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End Period Poverty
Everyone who menstruates deserves to have a safe, comfortable period. But, not everyone can afford the supplies they need. Since October 2023, the Huron-Perth Period Poverty Task Force has been stocking all library washrooms in Huron and Perth Counties with the supplies needed to get you through your day. If you can't find what you need, let us know, your feedback will help us improve!
We want to learn if this is a service that people have been using. Please take this anonymous survey. All thoughts, comments, and ideas are welcome.
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Settlement Services
Settlement Workers from the YMCA of Three Rivers are available in the Library to support newcomer and immigrant needs by providing information in areas including orientation to library programs, citizenship, housing, education, English Language Assessment and referrals to community resources. Services are offered remotely, by phone or in person.
Visit our event page for dates and times
Contact Information:
- To connect with a Library Settlement Worker email Lily Yin, lily.yin@ytr.ymca.ca or call 548-255-1239
- For all other inquiries email newcomersperthcounty@ytr.ymca.ca or visit the YMCA website for more information
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Snack Stop
Whether your study session's gone marathon, you forgot part of your lunch, or your budget is getting stretched by inflation, we've got you! SPL's Snack Stop stocks both snack foods and non-perishables that are free and available whenever the library is open. Please help yourself!
Want to support Snack Stop? Make a financial donation.
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Social Worker Drop-in Hours
A Social Worker from Family Services Perth-Huron is available at the library twice per month. Services include brief individual and family counselling, as well as referrals to other community resources:
- 1:1 support with interpersonal relationships, life stress, and transitions
- Senior and caregiver supports
- Men's and women's programs and groups
- Sexual abuse survivor supports
- Youth supports
- Counselling and developmental services support
- Violence against women supports
- Help with government documents
- Referrals to various community partners such as Housing/Addiction and Mental Health/Employment services
No appointments are required and services are first-come, first-served.
