Skills to Thrive is an 8-week program where participants will leave with skills and knowledge to thrive. With guest speakers, slideshows, games, and hands on learning activities people will be engaged while learning and having a good time. The program will cover: Safety at Home and...
Starting March 1, 2024, more people in Ontario can get help with their electricity bills thanks to changes in the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP). This program gives monthly money back to help cover electricity costs. Now, families and individuals who make a bit more money...
Empower Simcoe is excited to announce its participation as a Community Champion in the #ITSTARTS campaign, an influential public awareness initiative aimed at proactively addressing racism and discrimination within Simcoe County. Running throughout March, this campaign is a collaboration with the County of Simcoe and...
Following the resounding success of its inaugural run, Empower Simcoe is excited to announce the return of its highly sought-after culinary course, ‘Cooking Up Capability.’ With overwhelming demand and glowing reviews from participants, the second offering of this empowering program is offered in Barrie and...
Calling all Unpaid Caregivers in Simcoe County. The 2024 Respitality Program is open for applications November 27 – December 31, 2023 What is Respitality? Respite + Hospitality = Respitality Empower Simcoe and our business and community partners recognize the significant impact Unpaid Caregivers have in providing exceptional...
Sibshop programs provide opportunities for brothers and sisters of children with special needs to obtain peer support and education within a highly recreational context. This Sibshop is open to all brothers and sisters (ages 8-13 years) living in Simcoe County who have a sibling with...
Empower Simcoe is delighted to announce a significant expansion of its Snoezelen Room offerings with the introduction of a specially curated space designed for children ages 0-7 at the Barrie EarlyON Child & Family Centre. This marks a milestone in our commitment to providing inclusive...
This session has been cancelled - please stay tuned for a new upcoming session to be announced shortly. Sibshop programs provide opportunities for brothers and sisters of children with special needs to obtain peer support and education within a highly recreational context. This Sibshop is open...
Empower Simcoe is thrilled to introduce our new “Cooking Up Capability” course, a Fee For Service offering designed to empower individuals with the skills and confidence to become more independent in the kitchen. This inclusive and adaptive course provides a supportive environment where participants can...
As part of its 10-point homelessness prevention strategy, the County of Simcoe has partnered with Empower Simcoe to support the region's vulnerable residents with the County's new Community Rent Subsidy Program. Beginning September 1st, this new program will provide rent subsidies for individuals and families...
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new online booking service, allowing people supported, families, and community members to easily reserve Empower Simcoe's Snoezelen Room. Located at 40 Fraser Court, Barrie, ON, this sensory environment offers a serene and therapeutic experience for individuals...
Join CEO, Dr. Claudine Cousins, as she talks about the Ministry's vision to transform the developmental services sector. Sessions Include: Tuesday, March 21st: 3:30 - 4:30pm Tuesday, March 21st: 5:30 - 6:30pm Wednesday, March 22nd: 10:00 - 11:00am REGISTER HERE Ontario Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services has announced the...
Empower Simcoe is very grateful for your outpouring of thoughts, prayers, and wishes of support toward the individuals impacted by the car accident on December 1st. Empower Simcoe Community Support Worker Melanie Smith is recovering now at home. Jeff Janes is currently at RVH, as is...
Please take a moment to watch this holiday message from Empower Simcoe Dr. Claudine Cousins. On behalf of everyone at Empower Simcoe, we wish you Happy Holidays and a joyous festive season. .post_image {display:none!important;} .single-post .post_content_holder {margin-top: 0px!important;}...
Empower Simcoe is very grateful for your outpouring of thoughts, prayers and wishes of support toward the individuals impacted by the car accident on December 1st. The condition of Community Support Worker Melanie Smith, Jeff Janes and the second individual supported by Empower Simcoe, whose...
We are very grateful for your outpouring of thoughts, prayers and wishes of support toward the individuals impacted by the car accident on December 1st. We know you share our concern for everyone involved, and we want to provide this update: The condition of the...
Join CEO, Dr. Claudine Cousins, as she talks about the Ministry’s vision to transform the developmental services sector. Sessions Include: Tuesday, March 21st: 3:30 – 4:30pm Tuesday, March 21st: 5:30 – 6:30pm Wednesday, March 22nd: 10:00 – 11:00am REGISTER HERE Ontario Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services has announced the...
On September 7th, local MPP Andrea Khanjin met with the members of Empower Simcoe to hear from them about the difference a $127,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is making. The organization's Resilience Communities Fund grant was awarded in the spring and has...
On February 22nd, Hydro One announced 24 Indigenous communities, charitable organizations and municipalities will each receive a grant of $25,000 from the Energizing Life Community Fund, which supports initiatives that promote physical, psychological and emotional safety across Ontario. Empower Simcoe's Respitality Program is privileged to be...
2022 will be a brighter year for caregivers in Simcoe County, thanks to a generous donation from Fern Resort to assist Empower Simcoe in the launch of its pilot Respitality Program. The program, implemented across Simcoe County, will facilitate sustainable relationships within the hospitality and...
Please enjoy the following 2021 Empower Simcoe holiday video from CEO Claudine Cousins, as she shares a message of gratitude, joy and hope. Stay safe, be well, and we look forward to an exciting 2022! .post_image {display:none !important;}...
In recognition of our agency’s strategic goals to educate and celebrate the different aspects of diverse cultures and traditions, CEO Claudine Cousins and Empower Simcoe’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council are pleased to unveil our agency’s Land Acknowledgement statement. A land acknowledgement is an act of...
Empower Simcoe is a fully accredited charitable, non-profit organization established in 1953 that is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. We provide supports and services to children, teens and adults of all abilities including people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. We have...
In 1999, a new committee within our agency was created to help promote the voice of people receiving support, to give them a forum to discuss concerns and to offer opinions about rights issues. Concerns and ideas were also shared with our agency’s Board of...
From Empower Simcoe President Jim McNamara, please see our Empower Simcoe Statement on protests in the United States: As the world continues to observe the events in the United States, we have been reminded once again of the abhorrent levels of racism, injustice, and inequality faced...
Please join Empower Simcoe in recognizing Tuesday June 18th as Infant and Child Development Day. This year's theme is 'Home is Where the Heart Is.' To commemorate the day, the Simcoe County Infant Development team at Empower Simcoe shares this story of Max, which will be...
The Board of Directors of Simcoe Community Services invite you to attend our 65th Annual General Meeting on Wednesday October 3rd at Lion’s Gate Banquet Hall, 386 Blake Street, Barrie. Schedule of Events 4:45pm Registration 5:00pm Business Meeting 6:00pm Keynote Speakers 6:30pm Gift of the Heart Awards 7:00pm Reception and Photos Light...
The Board of Directors of Simcoe Community Services are pleased to announce the appointment of Claudine Cousins as the new Chief Executive Officer of Simcoe Community Services, effective January 22nd, 2018. Claudine has over twenty-five years of leadership experience with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; Citizenship and Immigration; and Community and Social...
I am pleased to announce that Simcoe Community Services has received a 4 years Accreditation from the Council on Quality and Leadership. They have reviewed our Shared Values and Basic Assurances and have determined that we are 100 % in all areas. They spent time...