Social Services

The Innisfil ideaLAB and Library offers a variety of social service resources providing in person connections for the community.

Contact Affordable Housing, Contact Community Services

CONTACT’s Housing Services provide assistance and resources to access programs for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including: utilities an rental arrears, rent deposits, rent supplements, subsidized housing applications, and much more. One-on-one supports are provided to individuals who are chronically homeless to obtain and retain permanent housing. www.contactcommunityservices.
ca

Lakeshore Branch, Tuesdays: 1pm-4:30pm

YMCA Newcomer Services

YMCA Newcomer Services, Free Online Settlement
Services for Newcomers in Canada. Our services gives immigrants all the help and support
they need to begin their new lives in Canada. We are now providing online and in-person service. If you require assistance, please call Susana Petrov at 705-797-2020 x23. www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka. ca/immigrant-services/
YMCA Newcomer Services Lakeshore Branch, Thursdays: by appointment.
English Conversation Circle
Lakeshore Branch, Saturdays: 1pm-2pm

SMDHU Breastfeeding Support Group

These free groups provide parents a place to talk, share experiences and encourage each other during their breastfeeding experience. Public health nurses offer support and answer your questions about feeding your baby, baby care, infant sleep, developmental stages, and parenting. They will also nurture parent-to-parent support and the sharing of experiences. 

www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/PP2B/Breastfeeding/BreastfeedingSupportGroups
Lakeshore Branch, Fridays, 10:30AM – 12:00PM

My Sister’s Place

My Sister’s Place is a not-for-profit organization that provides residential and outreach services for Women and their Children living with the consequences of violence and abuse. www.mysistersplace.ca/
Lakeshore Branch, Every other Thursday: 12pm-4:30pm

S.H.I.F.T, Support and Hope for
Individuals and Families Today

S.H.I.F.T’s Outreach Program is focused on prevention of homelessness, serving those living with low-income throughout South Simcoe. The goal of the program is to connect individuals, couples, and families to urgently needed supplies, services, and supports as well as provide emergency assistance to those at risk of or experiencing homelessness and/or food
insecurity (housed or otherwise).
www.shiftforgood.ca/outreach
Thursdays:
Cookstown Branch: 3:30pm
Stroud Branch: 4:30pm
Lakeshore Branch: 5:30pm

Troy Scott Community Fridges

The Troy Scott Community Fridges are a neighbours helping neighbours initiative to increase access to nutritious food for all Innisfil residents. Everyone is welcome to take food from the fridges and pantries at any time, in any quantity, as often as they need. The community fridges rely on donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. Every little bit helps! For details on locations and how to donate please visit: www.innisfil.ca/en/living-here/community-fridge.aspx

Lakeshore Branch: available during Lakeshore operating hours.

Cookstown Branch: Always open (fridge is located outside the Library)

YouthCALL

YouthCALL supports teens and young adults in getting connected with the local services to move
their lives forward successfully. If you’re looking to get connected to mental health supports, employment, housing, or for homework help, drop in and see the Youth Outreach Coordinator at the Lakeshore Branch.
https://cfssc.ca/youthcall/
Lakeshore Branch, every other Thursday 3pm-6pm.

Service Canada In Person Clinics

Government of Canada Programs and Services Clinic. Services Canada will provide assistance with applications for:

Dates and time:

Thursdays, March 21, April 23, May 23 from 10am-2pm

Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)

Employment Insurance CPP and Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) 

Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP) 

EarlyON

EarlyON programs offer families/caregivers with children prenatal through 6 years a wide range of early learning inquiry-based activities that enhance children’s social and developmental skills. They also support parents/caregivers in their roles in community with other parents and experts in early childhood. All programs are run through Empower Simcoe and more details can be found online:  www.empowersimcoe.ca/earlyon-child-family-centres/ Lakeshore Branch: Tuesdays 9:30am-11:30pm, Wednesdays 9:30am-11:30am, 1:30-3pm, 4:30pm-6:30m Cookstown Branch: Wednesdays 2pm-3:30pm Stroud Branch: Thursdays 10:30am-12pm

VON SMART Program

The VON Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together (SMART) program offers community members over 55 and adults living with disabilities opportunities to improve their strength, balance, and mobility through low-impact exercise classes. If you are looking for support to exercise more or decrease your risk of falls, SMART classes may be for you. These free classes are offered by fitness professionals and trained volunteers, and registration happens through the local VON Office in Barrie. https://von.ca/en/sites/simcoe-county?seniors-group-exercise-programs-smart#location

Lakeshore & Cookstown Branches

Alzheimer Society of Canada – Care Partner Support Group

Supporting a family member or friend diagnosed with dementia can be a new experience. This group is for care partners of persons living with dementia in early, middle and late stages, regardless of their living arrangements. In this safe environment, you can pose questions, share your insights and lessons learned. You are not alone.

Lakeshore Branch, every 3rd Thursday 1:30-3pm of the month.

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Thursday, June 20, 2024


The services and resources listed below are available for residents in our region. Don’t forget to visit 211 to find more resources!

FOOD

The Barrie Food Bank is currently offering prepackaged grocery hampers, they are location at 42 Anne Street South, Unit 2, Barrie (behind Pioneer Pools)

Food Service Hours:
Monday and Friday 1:00 to 4:30pm
Wednesday 10:00am to 7:00pm
Thursday 1:00  to 7:00pm

Barrie’s Little Food Pantry

Burton Street United Church, 37 Burton Ave. Barrie
Collier Street United Church, 112 Collier Street, Barrie
Grace United Church, 350 Grove Street East Barrie
St. Margaret’s of Scotland Anglican Church, 161 Hamner St. West
Trinity Anglican Church, 24 Collier Street, Barrie
Westside Evangelical Lutheran Church, 510 Ferndale Dr. North

Troy Scott Community Fridges

There are three Troy Scott Community Fridges across Innisfil.

Located inside during the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library Lakeshore Branch – available during operating hours.

Located outside the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library Cookstown Branch – available 24/7

Located outside the Innisfil Recreation Complex – available 24/7

FINANCIAL

Ontario Works – Delivered by the County of Simcoe

  • Financial and employment assistance
  • Financial assistance includes:
    • Support for those caring for a minor child to whom they are not related
    • Vision, dental, and other benefits
  • Immediate financial assistance is available for those with immediate needs

HOUSING

Affordable Housing Support – Delivered by the County of Simcoe

  • Rent supplement or housing allowance
  • Funds to help with home repairs
  • Funds to aid in constructing a second suite in order to create more affordable housing in the County

Housing Retention Program – Delivered by the County of Simcoe

  • Financial support for those at risk of losing their housing or electricity because they are in arrears

Emergency Shelters in Simcoe County

  • Short-term overnight shelter for those who are homeless

Domicialiary Care Assistance – Delivered by the County of Simcoe

  • Residential care housing for low income, vulnerable seniors and those with special needs

Salvation Army – Barrie Bayside Mission Centre

  • Shelter for adult men (21+), including services such as food, laundry, showers, and computers
  • Collaborates with Barrie Housing Support Services to help find more stable housing

Blue Door Shelters

  • Three separate shelters for families, males (27+), and male youth (under 27) in Newmarket
  • Assists with searching for housing and connecting with landlords.
  • Provides counseling and case management

Youth Haven

  • Emergency shelter for youth ages 16-24, as well as transitional housing
  • Option to speak to a youth worker if needed
  • Provides necessary items such as clothing, toothbrush, and toothpaste, etc.
  • Provides drop-in health care clinic once per week for homeless youth

Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie

  • Shelter for women and their children, with each family receiving their own room to sleep in, as well as shared spaces
  • Collaborates with the Safe Pet Program for those who want to take their pets with them
  • Also offers transitional housing, legal assistance, support groups, and a crisis telephone line
  • Good resource for women planning to leave abusive situations.

Elizabeth Fry Society of Simcoe County – Joyce Kope House

  • Shelter for women coming from the legal system, mental health system, homelessness, etc.

Belinda’s Place

  • Emergency shelter, transitional housing, drop-in services, and aftercare for women, located in Newmarket

The Busby Centre

  • Operates the Emergency Shelter Program, including intake for all locations. Their Outreach Van can be called to meet people living on the street to offer assistance, and they provide assistance with housing. 

My Sister’s Place

  • My Sister’s Place is a not-for-profit organization that provides residential and outreach services for Women and their Children living with the consequences of violence and abuse.

S.H.I.F.T Support and Hope for Individuals and Families Today

  • Safe, respectful, and welcoming overnight accommodations are provided along with meals and supports to those experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity in South Simcoe. 

ADDICTION

Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre – Residential Withdrawal Management

  • Detox centre for those 16+ to safely withdrawal from substances

Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres

  • Methadone and Suboxone treatment for those experiencing opioid addiction

Connex Ontario – Online Searching Database

  • Allows you to search for addiction treatment in Ontario by type of service, location, targeted population, and targeted gender.

MENTAL HEALTH

Canadian Mental Health Association – York and South Simcoe

  • Provides a variety of mental health services to youth and adults in-person and over the phone
    • Assertive Community Treatment Teams provide comprehensive and community-based support
    • Bounce Back provides support for depression/anxiety over the phone by working through exercises meant to address specific issues
    • Mental Health and Justice programs supporting those with mental illness in the criminal justice system
    • Many other programs

CMHA York and South Simcoe-Youth Services

  • Choices Program: 10-week program for teens to encourage positive decision-making.
  • MOBYSS: Mobile walk-in clinic so youth can access care in different areas of the community; includes nursing assessments, counseling, pregnancy/STI testing, etc.
  • Youth Wellness Program: Provides individual and group counseling, as well as psychoeducational groups for youth.

EMPLOYMENT

Agilec

  • Provides assistance and training for career changes, returning to work, working with a disability, and searching for a job in general

CONTACT Community Services

  • Assists with job training and searching

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Early ON Child and Family Centres

  • Drop-in centres for play/social engagement
  • Registered programs for specific age groups with activities designed to engage and encourage learning and encourage the development of motor skills
  • A variety of parenting programs including nutrition, raising resilient children, discipline, etc.
  • Developmental assessment and referral to appropriate services

Childcare Fee Subsidy – delivered by the County of Simcoe

  • Financial support for childcare for low-income families

New Path Youth and Family Services

  • Provides a variety of mental health services to youth: walk-in clinics, group counseling, outreach for teens, etc. They also work alongside schools to provide services.

Kinark Child and Family Services

  • Provides community-based individual, group, and family counseling
  • Works with Ontario Autism Program to provide services for youth with autism
  • Works with youth experiencing mental health issues in the criminal justice system
  • Provides childcare services

RVH  Children Development Services

  • Locations in: Bradford West Gwillimbury, Barrie, Alliston and more
  • Support and programs for children who may be experiencing issues that will affect their development:
    • Preschool speech and language
    • Occupational therapy
    • Infant hearing
    • Blind low vision
    • Feeding clinic
    • Neonatal follow-up clinic

Seasons Centre for Grieving Children

  • Programs for children and teens who have experience the loss of a loved one or who have a loved one with a terminal illness
  • Programs for parents who have lost a child
  • Programs for parents who have lost spouse/life partner and are raising a child under 18

2SLGBTQ+ RESOURCES

Fierte Simcoe Pride

  • Safe and inclusive communities within Simcoe County that support and unite people of all genders, sexes and sexual identities
  • Monthly Social Events 
  • Events and Activities that celebrate or acknowledge key dates for people of diverse sexes, gender and sexual identities
  • Fierté Simcoe Pride Festival

The Gilbert Centre

  • The Gilbert Centre runs a program called, QT Youth Connection which is a drop-in and social space for LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-24 
  • Provides social and support services to empower, promote health, and the individuals and families from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) communities of Simcoe Muskoka
  • They are a place for youth to connect with each other and to community. They also hold special events such as tea parties, picnics, cooking classes, movie nights, education presentations, guest speakers, and more

LGBT Youthline

  • A toll-free Ontario-wide peer-support phone line for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual 2-spirited, queer and questioning young people
  • The LGBTQ line offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support through their telephone, text and chat services.
  • It also provides online peer support through the online forum and email response

Innisfil Pride

  • All about the inclusion and support for 2SLGBTQIA+
  • Great ways to connect through social media and events where everyone can be themselves