Support and Resources

Delicious news!

Mingles Café has welcomed a new caterer iLove2cook! Chef Jeanne of iLove2cook says “We understand the desire to offer wholesome and nutritious food options. Our company is dedicated to providing a great food experience by offering good service, good value, cleanliness, and high-quality food."

Mingles is open from 9 am-2 pm for freshly made sandwiches, salads and baked goods. Hot meals will be available on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30am-1:30pm. Printed menus are available to pick up at the 55+ Recreation Centre.

Cash only.

If you reside in the Town of Whitby and are age 65 or older or an individual with disabilities, the Town provides a free windrow and sidewalk snow clearing program. Registration for Winter 2025/2026 closes October 31, 2025.

The program provides service for:

• Windrow clearing created by the snow plow after a 10 cm snowfall and
• Municipal sidewalk snow clearing on the front and side of your property – after a 5 cm snowfall
• Crews strive to start clearing windrows and sidewalks after the main roads and side roads are cleared, about 36 hours after the end of a snowfall.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for windrow clearing program, you must be either:

• Resident of the Town of Whitby, and 65 years or older, and have no able-bodied people under the age of 65 living in your home, or
• Certified by a medical doctor to be disabled with no able-bodied people living in your home under the age of 65

View the Windrow and Sidewalk Clearing Program FAQs or call us at 905-668-1424.

Register online for the Windrow program

Whitby 55+ Recreation coordinates income tax return preparation for low income seniors from March 1 to April 30 each year. Basic returns will be processed by 55+ Centre volunteers who have been trained by Revenue Canada.

This volunteer service is designed for seniors with an income of less than $35,000 or a couple with a combined income of less than $45,000.  

This Program is currently being run as a Drop off Clinic - Those qualified drop off their tax information to the front desk of the 55+ Recreation Centre only. Volunteers work on tax forms at home and call participants to review any information. Participants will then receive a call when their tax forms are completed and ready for pick up.

For more information contact 55Plus@whitby.ca, or call 905-668-1424. 

The Town of Whitby offers property tax relief programs to help low-income seniors.

If you need information about abuse, support and safety, these resources can help.

• Senior Safety Line
• Durham Regional Police Services
• Crimestoppers
• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• Durham Elder Abuse Network (D.E.A.N.)
• Distress Centre Durham Resource Centre

If you’re looking for general information, try these resources:

• Resources in Durham Region
• 211 Ontario
• Seniors Information Line

For information about seniors’ day programs, explore these resources:

• Community Care Access Centre
• Community Care Durham

If you need financial support, these resources can help:

• Advocacy Centre for the Elderly
• Durham Community Legal Clinic
• Income Tax Clinics – Whitby 55+ Recreation Centre – 905-668-1424
• Low Income Seniors
• Ontario Securities Commission

If you are looking for health and caregiver support services, explore these resources:

• Central East Health Line
• Durham Hospice
• Foot Care Services
• Home at Last Program
• Home Help
• Meals on Wheels
• Respite Care Services – Caregiver Relief

If you need information about housing, these resources can help:

• Ontario Co-operative Association
• Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corp
• Landlord and Tenant Board
• Durham Region Subsidized Housing
• Ontario Housing Supply Action Plan

For mental health assistance, consult these resources:

• Distress Centre Durham Resource Centre
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Canadian Mental Health Association Durham Branch
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
• Community Care Durham
• Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
• Durham Region Hoarding Coalition

Mindful Aging: Mental Wellness Workshops for Older Adults is a series of 4 workshops designed to promote mental health, reduce isolation, and enhance the overall wellbeing of older adults.  Through interactive sessions on topics such as brain health and memory, coping with life transitions (retirement, loss, changes in living arrangements), and mindfulness, participants will gain practical tools to support their ability to adapt to stressful situations and promote awareness.  This initiative introduces appropriate supports to address the unique mental health needs of older adults.  This project was funded by the Government of Ontario’s Senior Community Grant Program, in partnership with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. 

Mindful Aging: Finding Wellness Through Expression

Facilitated by PeaceLove.org, this creative wellness workshop combines mandala art and poetry to promote mental wellness, emotional healing and self expression. Participants create mandala - symbolic circular diagrams - and incorporate poetry into their designs to connect with their inner selves, find a sense of centre, and foster a state of calm and self-understanding. No art or writing experience needed!  To follow along with the exercise, have a piece of 8.5” x 11” paper and coloured pencils, pens or crayons available. Filmed October 21, 2025.  Video: Mindful Aging: Finding Wellness Through Expression (46 minutes, 27 seconds)

Mindful Aging: Self Care and Emotional Wellness

Explore emotional wellness in later life, including life transitions, grief, loneliness, and changing health. Learn how to identify your personal self-care needs and build simple daily habits for physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Gain practical tools to strengthen emotional resilience and cope with life’s challenges.  Filmed November 27, 2025.  Video: Mindful Aging: Self Care and Emotional Wellness (1 hour, 19 minutes, 26 seconds)

Mindful Aging: Dementia Care

Learn what dementia is and how changes in the brain can affect behaviour, communication, and daily functioning. This workshop explores practical strategies for responding to behavioural and communication changes, building meaningful interactions, and supporting quality of life for people living with dementia, as well as those who care for them. Filmed January 23, 2026.  Video: Mindful Aging: Dementia Care (1 hour, 38 minutes, 02 seconds)

Mindful Aging: Mindful Habits for Meaningful Living

This interactive workshop, designed specifically for adults age 55+, introduces simple, practical, but impactful techniques to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being. Participants will explore guided breathing exercises, gentle awareness practices, and easy-to-apply strategies for cultivating calm in everyday life. No prior experience is necessary. The session encourages participation, reflection, and connection in a safe setting. Participants will leave with tools they can confidently use at home to promote self-awareness, mental clarity, and relaxation. Come discover how small moments of mindfulness can make a meaningful difference in your daily routine, relationships, and overall wellbeing. Presented by Angelique Benois, MScN, Psychotherapist, Director of Nurturing Our Wellbeing. 

Here are some resources related to 55+ transportation:

• Accessible Parking Permit
• Community Care Durham
• DriveTest Centre
• Durham Region Transit
• Durham Region Transit Specialized Services
• GO Transit
• VIA Rail
• Senior Driver Renewal Program