Social & Community Services Organizations in Barrie

Since 1953, Empower Simcoe has been a cornerstone of support for individuals with intellectual disabilities, driven by a passionate volunteer Board of Directors. Founded by visionary parents as a compassionate alternative to institutional care, our nonprofit organization has evolved into a dynamic network of services that empower lives across the region. From early childhood programs to community living and comprehensive housing support, Empower Simcoe is committed to fostering inclusion, independence, and meaningful connections for all we serve. Empower Simcoe responds to community needs through inclusive supports and services that enhance the quality of all lives. As an organization dedicated to service, we work mindfully to empower individual goals, while treating everyone with respect and dignity. Our mission is to empower people to lead a full and inclusive life, by providing the highest quality of services. We are a welcoming organization that provides everyone with the opportunity to Be, Belong, and Thrive.

Glowing Hearts Charity (formerly known as Glowing Hearts Community Give & Get Centres) is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to disrupting the cycle of poverty by empowering children and youth to realize their full potential.

The Learning Disabilities Association of York-Simcoe (LDAYS), formally known as Learning Disabilities Association of York Region (LDAYR) is a charitable non-profit organization which was established in 1976. We provide leadership in Learning Disabilities advocacy, research, education and services, and strive to advance the full participation of children, youth and adults with Learning Disabilities (LD) in society.

Listening Post Barrie is an initiative of Burton Avenue United Church. We are community folks who show up with open hearts and a non-judgmental presence for people to be heard with compassion at various locations in Barrie.

Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. From our humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, we have evolved to be one of the world’s leading children’s charities, serving children in every community in Canada. With the help of generous donors and nearly 1,100 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants more than one wish a day in Canada.

March of Dimes Canada operates with the mission of maximizing the independence, personal empowerment and community participation of people with disabilities. We aim to provide solutions, through service, advocacy and research, to further equal opportunity, self-sufficiency, dignity and quality of life. As part of March of Dimes Canada, After Stroke is a national service offering support, education and community programs for stroke survivors, their caregivers, and families.

Morton Youth Services is a community based youth detention facility that provides youth justice services to children who have found themselves in trouble with the law. Morton Youth Services operates under the direction of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services to provide 24 hour custody services in a 10-bed facility.

Quality Connections Adult Day Services provides structured daytime care and support for adults in a safe, supervised, and inclusive environment. Our organization offers social, recreational, and wellness-based programs that promote independence, skill development, and community engagement for participants, including seniors and adults with physical or developmental disabilities. Our goal is to enhance the quality of life of each individual we serve by ensuring their physical, emotional, and social well-being through personalized attention and professional care. We operate with a commitment to safety, compassion, and compliance with all applicable health and care regulations.

Robin Hood Army Canada (RHAC) aims to serve and empower communities-in-need, and help eradicate homelessness in Canada through empathy, teamwork and awareness. The primary role of a Robin (volunteer of RHAC) is to deliver food, clothing and hygiene items to shelters in Ajax and Oshawa, to facilitate basic life skills workshops and create awareness. Volunteers are required on ongoing basis with most drives being carried out on weekends, and can devote time as convenient to them Volunteer roles include - -Robins deliver surplus or freshly prepared food from restaurants, events and homes, to homeless people, refugee families and shelters. They also deliver clothing, hygiene items or basic life skills workshops to people-in-need. During COVID-19 all pickups and drop-offs are contactless. -As a Robin, you can help from the comfort of your home – with social media, check-in calls, metrics, partnerships, IT, research, and looking at addressing some of the root causes of homelessness in your city. There is something for everyone to do. Volunteers are required to be over the age of 18. Once the registration form is submitted, our Onboarding Team will reach out to familiarize you with the needs, risks, actions, and expectations. This will help the volunteers decide if RHAC would be a good fit and vice versa. Please visit our website - www.rhacanada.com for futher details on what we do and how to join us.  

Samaritan House is a small non-profit in Simcoe County dedicated to supporting women and families as they rebuild their lives. The organization provides transitional housing for up to 18 months, giving women the time and stability they need to heal from abuse and regain their independence. Each woman is supported through one-on-one programming tailored to her unique situation, meeting her where she is and helping her set and achieve personal goals. This individualized approach ensures that by the time she leaves Samaritan House, she feels safe, confident, and fully prepared for long-term success. In addition to housing, Samaritan House also operates a community donation and resource center, offering food, clothing, and other essentials to those in need. Together, these services create a supportive environment where women can break free from the cycle of abuse and move forward with hope.

Seasons Centre for Grieving Children is a charitable organization serving Simcoe County and beyond. Since December 1995 Seasons Centre has been providing peer to peer support groups for our community’s children/teens and their families grieving the death, or life-threatening illness of an immediate family member. Participants are supported through the grief process by professional program staff  and trained volunteer grief facilitators in a safe, non-judgmental, home like atmosphere. One of the goals of our peer support groups is to provide participants with the essential skills to promote grieving in healthy ways; thus, building resiliency in our children. Our programs are unique and are designed to provide children with the opportunity to express their feelings in socially acceptable ways. During the group sessions various grief emotions and coping strategies are discussed in child friendly ways. Many of our participants have expressed that Seasons Centre is the only place where they have felt comfortable, understood, and not alone in their grief journey. Seasons Centre relies solely on the support and generosity of our community. There are no fees for our programs. Children can attend programs regardless of their family’s financial situation. Seasons Centre for Grieving Children is dedicated in Loving Memory of Samantha and Jessica Ramey.

WHAT IS SHOPPING ANGELS? Shopping Angels is a program designed to provide services to those populations deemed especially at-risk for the novel COVID-19 virus that is spreading throughout Canada. In addition to a Canadian branch, there are branches of Shopping Angels in all fifty states and Australia with close to 5,000 volunteers. To help ease the uncertainty, anxiety, and fear surrounding this pandemic, we are looking for volunteers to personally deliver groceries or other shopping necessities to those who may prefer to stay within the safety of their own home at no additional cost. Shopping Angels is a free delivery service for groceries and other necessities. At this time, we cannot guarantee to provide these items free of charge. Some local branches may receive local donations of items or may establish partnerships with local food banks/pantries and other organizations that provide these items free of charge. HOW DOES IT WORK? Both the volunteer and client fill out the google form to give us information on how close they are to each other, and we give that information to state coordinators. Volunteer application form: https://forms.gle/YgP35fUELGyrkMzH8 Request of services form: https://forms.gle/8Kf1FwUaw6Zce6gB9 The state coordinator(s) reaches out and asks if a volunteer can help, and then assigns the able and healthy volunteer to a client. The volunteer then receives an email regarding protocol and the client’s address. From here, the volunteer will reach out to the client to coordinate a shopping trip and delivery! For any questions and concerns, we can be reached at shoppingangelscanada@gmail.com.