Healthy Beginnings
The Stop's prenatal and perinatal program for pregnant people and new parents provides expert information, practical support, warm meals, access to healthy food and parenting supplies, and a welcoming community at a critical stage in a mother's life.
Food and nutrition are an important part of Healthy Beginnings.
Register Now
Want to feel confident, connected, and cared for throughout your pregnancy? Looking for guidance, community, and support on your journey to parenthood?
Sign up for Healthy Beginnings, The Stop’s prenatal and perinatal program— open to people at any stage of pregnancy, who live within our catchment area (see map).
This is a free, weekly program.
Sessions run:
Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The Stop Community Food Centre
1884 Davenport Road
For details, email healthybeginnings@thestop.org or call (416) 652-7867.
About the Program
Healthy Beginnings provides a welcoming, in-person space where pregnant people and new parents can come together each week to learn, share experiences, build relationships, and receive practical support. The program helps people who are navigating pressures and barriers such as financial difficulties, adjusting to life in a new country, or experiencing other circumstances that can make pregnancy and early parenting more challenging.
Participants have access to:
- A nutritious meal to enjoy together each session.
- Food vouchers to purchase fresh produce, dairy, and prepared foods at The Stop’s Good Food Market.
- Food hampers and other food supports.
- Nutrition information and health resources to support both parent and baby.
- Educational workshops from our partner agencies with dietitian, nurses, and lactation consultants.
- Childminding, interpretation and transportation supports.
Growing Together Podcast
Tune in to learn more about Healthy Beginnings and how we support expectant and new mothers across our community.
Episode 1
Introducing Healthy Beginnings
Episode 2
Food Security & Community Impact
Episode 3
Registering Your Baby After Birth
Every year:
expectant and new mothers supported
food hampers distributed
of grocery store gift cards provided
The Stop's Healthy Beginnings helps parents feel confident and connected.
Frequently Asked questions
Anyone who is pregnant and lives within our catchment area (see map).
Participants can join at any stage of pregnancy and stay six months post-partum.
No. All Healthy Beginnings services, workshops, events, and supports are free.
Services are offered in English. Support is available in Spanish and Portuguese.
Yes. The Stop welcomes newcomer and refugee families and works to connect them with settlement, community, and family support services.
Yes. The Stop encourages all family members, caregivers, and partners involved in parenting and child development to participate.
Yes. We share child development information and resources and referrals to community-based supports and services.
Yes. Healthy Beginnings works with community agencies and provides referrals for settlement, mental health, counselling, midwives, dietitians, and early child development.
Yes. Healthy Beginnings works with community agencies and provides referrals for settlement, mental health, counselling, midwives, dietitians and early child development.
Yes. Children up to 4 years old are welcome. Our programming is family-friendly to support both parents and children.
Yes. Protecting participants' privacy and confidentiality is a priority. We strive to provide services in a safe, supportive environment.