Barrie Community News

With survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) facing a shortage of longer-term housing options, thousands of Canadians across fifteen communities will come together this fall for the fourth annual Royal LePage® Shelter Foundation™ Night Light Walk™, presented by TD. As Canada's largest event series dedicated to supporting women's shelters, the fundraiser brings together families, frontline advocates and Royal LePage REALTORS® to raise funds for second-stage housing and transitional shelters for women and children escaping abuse.

Myles Dininio set out from Newfoundland on April 1 and reached Vancouver on Aug. 22, completing a cross-country journey aimed at raising awareness about mental health and funds for Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Thanks to the dedication of runners, walkers, donors, volunteers and partners, the CIBC Run for the Cure has been a powerful engine for improving breast cancer outcomes, raising $558 million for the cause to date. Funds raised are invested in the most promising research, clinical trials that save lives, advocacy and compassionate support programs that provide care, comfort and vital connections to those affected by breast cancer in Canada.

As October 2026 begins, KidsConnectHope would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful volunteers who have joined our growing community across Canada. From Toronto, North York, Alliston, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Bolton, Concord, and London in Ontario to Calgary, Edmonton, and Fort Saskatchewan in Alberta, individuals from different communities are coming together with one shared purpose: bringing hope, happiness, and encouragement to children facing difficult moments in their lives. Your willingness to participate in our initiative represents something truly meaningful. Every volunteer who joins KidsConnectHope contributes to a growing movement built on kindness, compassion, creativity, and the belief that even the smallest thoughtful action can make a positive difference.

Barrie community members showed up once again for Smile Cookie week, helping drive this year’s fundraising total forward one cookie, one smile, and one act of generosity at a time. Barrie’s Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign raised an astounding $210,443.96 in support of RVH and Hospice Simcoe - Seasons Centre, helping fund compassionate care for local families at every stage of life.

A bridge housing project on Tiffin Street is being described as a national test case and is expected to begin welcoming residents next week as part of efforts to address homelessness in Barrie. Called the “Bridge to Stability” upon its launch in February, it acts as a feeder system, allowing those suffering from chronic homelessness to be sheltered while also receiving support through the HART Hub initiative.