Community, Health, Respect
Mental health support through café work and community
Come visit us at our new location
Metropolitan United Church
56 Queen Street East,
Bond Street Entrance
Monday through Thursday
11:30 - 2:30
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Trinity Square Café, a registered charity since 1981, we support adult clients living with mental health conditions.
Through community and connection, we help clients heal on their own terms, in their own time. Participation in weekday café shifts in our downtown Toronto home-style café helps clients develop valuable interpersonal and employability skills.
How We Work
Trinity Square Café is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH) to provide a recovery program for people who are living with mental illness.
The café's program model emphasizes an individual’s potential for living a full life.
.jpg?alt=media&token=017fa525-8115-4d54-b0b6-8eb212af1cc3)
Inside the Café
Trinity Square Café is located inside the Metropolitan United Church at the corner of Queen Street and Church Street.
Led by Executive Director Lesley Norton, the day-to-day café team includes a social worker, program staff and program participants.
Our delicious menu varies daily based on seasonal ingredients.
Testimonials
"After receiving a brain injury, my life was shattered. Everyone was a stranger. I faced a judge every month who would decide whether to keep me or throw me back. The Trinity Square Cafe & Crew swooped into my life and were able to help me keep my head above water long enough for me to re-learn how to tread. And I did. I learned life's lessons again in a friendly, warm and encouraging atmosphere. (My jokes never stopped being inappropriate because I was comfortable!). I give a huge gold star and much credit to Lesley and her gang at the Cafe. They gave me hope when I was down, and never, ever once yelled at me for anything. It was my way back to the world, and I am forever grateful."
C. Gordon
Former Program ParticipantI was being pushed towards paid employment through a career counsellor. In 2011, I told my counsellor that I wanted to be part of the community and needed to stop looking at paid employment for now and he highly recommended the program at Trinity Square Cafe. In time, this program has changed my life for the better. It took me time to trust everyone and to feel comfortable. Now, in 2019 I am still an active participant and have accepted that it’s okay to tell Cafe staff and Lesley that I feel anxious and/or depressed. This program is now my chosen adopted family. I always feel safe and welcome here and I can be who I am. I know the Cafe staff and Lesley will always listen to me and try their best to help me feel better. I feel better now that I’ve stopped looking for paid employment and I’ve accepted that not being in paid employment doesn’t mean you can’t contribute to society. Trinity Square Cafe is an excellent program for individuals living with mental health issues as they focus on the the positive... what you do well in and are always encouraging participants and listening to us. There aren’t many programs like Trinity. I’ve been blessed to have come to this program. I’ve learned that mental health is different for every person and you can live with this through encouragement, support and patience. I thank everyone at Trinity Square Cafe for all their ongoing support through the years.
Stacey
Former Program ParticipantQuote