Hamilton and District Extend-A-Family offers programs that provide respite and opportunities for fun and friendship with peers and volunteers in the community.

The Day PROGRAM:

Neurodivergent children, teens, and preteens are invited to attend a full day of activities that include physical activities, video games, arts and crafts, and board games. This program provides caregivers with a minimum of six hours of respite time. Physical activities may include swimming, yoga, martial arts, dance, or organized team sports.

The ASD/RECREATION Program:

Children, teens and preteens with an ASD diagnosis or another diagnosed developmental delay are invited to attend approximately 6 programs each month throughout the Hamilton area. The children and teens attend a wide variety of events that include bowling, swimming, visiting local attractions and attending movies.

Teen and Young adult Connections Club:

Youth aged 13-25 enjoy a social program that includes a meal together with peers, along with our friendly recreation staff. Participants share group experiences with office programs and outings in the community participating in fun activities like bowling, laser tag or visiting local attractions.

Apply or Learn More:

The BUDDY PROGRAM:

The Buddy Program encourages a one-to-one match between a volunteer and a neurodivergent child. The volunteer takes the child or teen on outings in the community for 6-8 hours each month. As with the Host Family Program, the child enjoys friendship and outings in the community with his volunteer while the child’s family benefits from additional respite.

1:1 PROGRAM Buddy:

A volunteer is matched with a neurodivergent child and the two attend our ASD/Recreation programs together. The volunteer makes arrangements with the child's family to meet the child at our group recreation programs and helps supervise and engage the child during the program. This is a fantastic opportunity for youth who wish to attend our group programs, but typically do best with 1:1 support.

Virtual Buddy Program:

Children and teens are matched with volunteers from the community and meet regularly over online platforms. Volunteers engage with the child or teen and share interests and activities, while caregivers can take some time for themselves.

Apply or Learn More:

THE SUMMER SUPPORT PROGRAM:

During the summer months, Extend-A-Family typically hires 4 college or university students who are studying in a related field to work one-on-one with 8-12 children each. The Summer Support Workers also assist at regular group events that are scheduled 2-3 times each week throughout July and August.

The HOST Family PROGRAM:

Volunteer families from the community are matched with a child or teen that has a developmental delay. The family provides the child with friendship and social experiences while giving the child’s family additional support and respite. The family agrees to provide a minimum of 8 hours of respite each month for at least a year.

The Holiday Hamper Program:

In past years, with the support of a generous community, we have been able to help the most disadvantaged families with hampers filled with food and/or food vouchers, warm clothing, gift certificates and toys. Unfortunately, we are not able to help all of our families.

If your organization or your workplace traditionally helps children and families over the holiday season, please consider reaching out to Hamilton & District Extend-A-Family. If you cannot donate an entire hamper, we welcome gift certificates at discount department stores and local grocery stores or a cash donation. If you would like to prepare a hamper, we can give you details—without violating privacy—of the gender, ages and sizes of the children in the family.

Please consider sponsoring a struggling family over this special time of the year.

Paused Programs:

Homework Club:

We invite youth between the ages of 12 – 17 years old (grade 6 – 12) to participate in the “Homework Club” during the school year. The club will assist with homework, as well as provide dinner and an opportunity to socialize and play games with our staff and volunteers. The “Homework Club” will run for 6 weeks at a time, and takes place at the Extend-A-Family facility.

Do you want to register your child with the Extend-A-Family organization?

Click the button below to access our easy complete online application or download the PDF application form.

Family Application

Name *

Name of child /teen.

First Name

Last Name

Gender *

Please select from drop down list.

Date of Birth *

Child / Teens date of birth.

YYYY

Address *

Child/teens home address.

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Resides with: *

Please select whom the child/teen resides with.

Mother

Father

Grandmother

Grandfather

Guardian

Other please explain:

If other, please explain.

Allergies? *

Please indicate if child /teen have any life threatening allergies such as nuts, shellfish, or penicillin)

What is the child/teen allergic to?

Does the child/teen have an EpiPen@ or puffer? *

If yes, under what circumstances?

Diagnosis *

please select the child / teens diagnosis. (select all that apply)

Autism

ADD

ADHD

Downs Syndrome

FASD

OCD

ODD

PDD

Tourette's Syndrome

Other please explain:

Any other diagnoses?

Please list child/teens other or additional diagnoses.

Prescribed medication

Please list prescribed medications.

Does the child/teen have any medical issues that we should be aware of? *

(example: seizures, mobility, or dietary restrictions, or none)

Dietary Restrictions?

Please describe any dietary restrictions. (such as: lactose, meat, nuts, etc...)

Mobility Restrictions? *

No, if yes, please describe.

Toileting needs? *

No; If yes, please describe.

Does the child/teen have a history of violent behaviour? *

If yes, please describe.

Please describe the violent behaviour. (For example: who, what when and where and how).

Is your child/teen a flight risk? *

For example: do they, or have they run away.

If yes; please explain.

Please explain the circumstances in which they have run away. (Why, who what when, and where).

Does your child enjoy social outings? *

If yes, please indicate what type of outings:

(For example: swimming, movies, playing with friends, going to a restaurant).

Name of Family Physician *

Provide the name of your child/teen's family doctor.

First Name

Last Name

Family Physician Phone Number *

(###)

###

####

Ontario Health Card Number

In the event of an emergency, please provide your child/teen's health card number.

Primary Contact Name *

Name of primary contact.

First Name

Last Name

Primary contact relationship to child/teen. *

For example: parent, grandparent, social worker, or guardian.

Primary contact address if different from the child/teen.

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Phone *

Primary contacts phone number.

(###)

###

####

Mobile Phone

Primary contacts mobile phone number.

(###)

###

####

Email *

Primary contacts email address.

Household Information: *

Who else lives in the child/teens home? (please list names, their relationship to the child and ages of each)

I am the parent or guardian of the above-named client and give consent to Hamilton & District Extend-A-Family to share information about this individual with Contact Hamilton and any other agency that has a relevant interest in their well-being provided staff members exercise discretion, document such correspondence, and honour confidential and personal details whenever possible: *

I have read and agree to the statement.

I acknowledge that the above-named client will be engaging in activities organized and/or arranged for by Hamilton & District Extend-A-Family and that these may be outside the scope of his or her daily routine. I acknowledge that participation in such activities may expose the above-named client to the possibility of injury. I grant Hamilton & District Extend-A-Family staff and adult volunteers the authority to obtain emergency medical treatment as necessary to ensure that the above-named client is protected from further harm or injury. I agree to waive and release Hamilton & District Extend-A-Family from all claims for damages that may arise, other than by negligence of Hamilton & District Extend-A-Family, or its employees, volunteers, and agents, as a result of this child’s participation in agency events. *

I have read and agree to the statement.

I give permission for this individual to travel with agency staff and/or adult volunteers to scheduled events. *

Yes

I grant Hamilton & District Extend-A-Family consent to use photographs or video footage taken by agency staff or volunteers to promote our agency via internet, social networking sites, agency newsletters, brochures, and other media: *

Yes

I have read this entire waiver and permission form, fully understand it, and agree to be legally bound by its terms. Participants release Hamilton Extend-A-Family, the board, employees and volunteers of all liability regarding 1) any injury to self or others and 2) any loss or damage to personal property. *

I have read and agree to the statement.

Name of Parent, Guardian, or Participant. * *

First Name

Last Name

Date of Application *

YYYY

Electronic Signature: By placing my name I acknowledge that I am electronically signing this document. I am signing this Agreement freely, voluntarily and competently and am at least eighteen (18) years of age and I am the Adult Participant, Parent or legal Guardian of the participant. I Certify that I have carefully examined this entire Waiver form and I determined that to the best of my knowledge and belief, the information provided is complete and accurate. *

Please add your name if you have read and agree to the statement.

Notes:

Thank you for submitting your membership application to Extend-A-Family!

A Family Coordinator will reach out to you to schedule a family intake, once we have reviewed your application (typically in 1-2 weekdays).

We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Recreation Information for individuals 18 years or older

Due to community need Hamilton & District Extend-A-Family has launched a Connections Club and a Virtual Buddy Transitions program for youth (18-24).

More 18+ information can be accessed in the PDF below. Hamilton & District Extend-A-Family offers this information for reference only. This list is not to be interpreted as advocating for any of the listed organizations. Please visit the Health Line Website for additional organizations and information.

Download Recreation Information Youth 18+ PDF

In-House Programs Pre-Screening Form

All participants must complete a pre-screening survey online each time prior to attending our programs. Participants will not be permitted to join in-person events until a parent/guardian has successfully completed the survey.

Name of Participant *

First Name

Last Name

Age of Participant *

Name of Parent or Guardian *

First Name

Last Name

Address *

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Best telephone number to reach you in the event of an emergency *

Permission to collect information electronically *

Yes

Have your child or anyone in your household felt hot or feverish in the last 10 days? *

Yes

Do you or anyone in your household have any of these symptoms: New or worsening cough? New or worsening shortness of Breath? Difficulty breathing? Sore throat or painful swallowing? Runny nose? *

Yes

Has your child had any symptoms of MIS-C including: Fever that lasted 24 hours or longer? Vomiting? Diarrhea? Pain in the stomach? Skin rash? Red eyes? Redness or swelling of the lips and tongue? Feeling unusually tired? Redness and/or swelling of the hands or feet? Headache that’s unusual or long lasting? *

Yes

Have you experienced a recent loss of smell or taste? *

Yes

Have you been in contact with any confirmed COVID-19 positive patients, or persons self-isolating because of a determined risk for COVID-19? *

Yes

Have you returned from travel outside of Ontario in the last 14 days? *

Yes

If you answered "yes" to travelling outside of Ontario - where did you travel to?

Is your workplace or the workplace of anyone in your household considered high risk? *

Yes

I give permission for my child/teen named as above to attend Hamilton & District Extend-A-Family events recognizing that there is potential risk in in-person events despite the precautions taken. *

Yes

Signature of Parent or Guardian *

Date of Signature *

YYYY

Thank you for Completing the Programs Pre-Screening Survey!

Please note: Participants will be asked to have their temperature checked using a contactless thermometer prior to entry.

Donate Now

Hamilton & District Extend-A-Family, 2-1022 Barton Street East, Hamilton, ON, L8L 3E4, Canada905-383-2885eaf@execulink.com

Send Mail to: 2-1022 Barton Street East, P.O. Box 47578, RPO Centre Mall, Hamilton ON L8H 7S7

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Hamilton & District Extend-A-Family welcomes individuals of all genders, sexualities, and racial backgrounds.

Registered Charitable Number 11895 1557 RR0001

Find us on Facebook.

Find us on Instagram.