How We Help

Learn more about the programs and services we offer to help individuals set goals and to achieve success.

Resource Centre & Activities

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Employment Services & Support

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Niagara's Mobile Closet

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Bike Me Up Niagara

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Welcome to Start Me Up Niagara

At Start Me Up Niagara, we offer services and programs to support people facing significant challenges such as poverty, homelessness, unemployment, disabilities, addictions and mental health issues.

Our goal is to provide opportunities for these individuals to help them increase their level of self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life. Our services range from daily drop in, community lunches, health care, income maximization, arts, garden, and employment development.

Together, we are working to build a community where all are included.

About SMUN   Our Services

  • I was able to provide a client with warm clothes when they were being discharged to an emergency shelter during the cold winter months. This client presented at the ED with very little belongings and the mini closet ensured that they were able to be properly clothed when they left. They expressed immense gratitude for this program.
    Anonymous
  • I am forever grateful for the work that Start Me Up Niagara does, and I cannot thank them enough. Your support and dedication have made a tremendous difference in our lives. Thank you all so much, your assistance is truly appreciated.
    Alicia Harper
  • The staff are welcoming and work well with community partners. I’ve had a drop-in centre worker work consistently with me over the last few months connecting me with my gateway housing worker and helping me remember my appointments.
    Brendan Butcher
  • Start Me Up is hope for the future. They provide help getting a place to live, help finding work, help getting food and clothes. Without Start Me Up, I would have no chance in life. Everyday I need and use the services here. Thank you!
    Dave Stewart
  • For the past six years, I have been Wayne's patron. He is unfailingly skillful as a techie, and he charges reasonable prices for new bikes. Moreover, he is good humored and welcoming. Bike Me Up is a positive, important aspect of St. Catharines. I assert the lion's share of the credit rests on Wayne's shoulders.
    Victor Fic

Resource Centre Details

Housing referrals, support and resources for people experiencing or are at risk of homelessness in Niagara. 

 Location

203 Church St., ON L2R 3E8 (Map)

 Weekday Hours

Monday to Friday  |  9:00AM - 12PM, 1PM - 4PM

 Weekend Hours (door service only)

Sunday | 11:15AM to 1:00PM

How To Help

Our dedicated volunteers, donors and supporters are dedicated to our mission to support and provide opportunities for individuals facing hardships in Niagara. ​If you're interested in getting involved, there are many ways to help. 

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News & Updates

Stay connected with the latest news and updates from Start Me Up Niagara. 

“Start Me Up’s Kitchen tackling food insecurity one child at a time.”

“Start Me Up’s Kitchen tackling food insecurity one child at a time.”

Posted May 6th, 2025 in Programs

The repercussions of food insecurity are profound. For many, school nutrition programs become a vital source of sustenance, sometimes serving as their primary or sole meal of the day.

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‘We need to rely on our community members to step up,’ as Niagara nutrition programs struggle to feed students

‘We need to rely on our community members to step up,’ as Niagara nutrition programs struggle to feed students

Posted Apr 16th, 2025 in In The News

“Every student, regardless of where they learn, deserves the same opportunity to access nutritious food.”

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Adopt-a-Row campaign puts fresh fruit and vegetables on tables of Niagara’s food insecure families

Adopt-a-Row campaign puts fresh fruit and vegetables on tables of Niagara’s food insecure families

Posted Apr 8th, 2025 in In The News

Sites at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre last year yielded onions, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and beets and peaches, plums, nectarines and apples.

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Support Our Work

Your donations go directly to frontline service and supports for our participants who experience homelessness and other mental health and addictions issues.

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