Registration for the Empower Simcoe 71st Annual General Meeting and Gift of the Heart Awards, taking place Wednesday, September 11th at Liberty North, 100 Caplan Avenue, from 5:00 - 7:00pm, is now open. Please use the link below to register by August 30th, 2024. The Gift of...
What an incredible mix of students we have working at Empower Simcoe this summer! CEO Claudine Cousins recently welcomed these talented students for a tea and coffee meet n’ greet to learn more about each student's field of study, career aspirations, and to celebrate the...
Join us Friday, July 12th, at the Barrie Legion for an unforgettable evening of music with legendary local duo, Even Steven, presented by Superior Home Health Care in support of the Empower Simcoe Foundation. From classic rock and pop to country hits, you'll surely hear all...
The vibrant 'First Steps: Newcomer Parent and Child Programming' at EarlyON Child & Family Centres has officially kicked off, opening doors to a world of opportunities for newcomer families in our community. This exciting initiative, crafted by the minds at CFS Counselling & Wellbeing, CAPC...
Empower Simcoe is proud to announce the nearing completion and launch of its new Transition Program, a pivotal development designed to support individuals with developmental disabilities. This unfunded, transitional housing initiative aims to provide a nurturing environment that encourages independence through tailored skills development. Located in Orillia,...
Having a child with a disability understandably requires a substantial amount of time, energy, and resources, often affecting the family dynamic. Parents may not always be able to offer an equivalent amount of time to their other children who do not have special needs; moreover,...
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...
Empower Simcoe's recent "Cooking Up Capability" program is making waves by offering culinary classes to individuals with intellectual disabilities in Barrie and Orillia. “Learning basic life skills, like cooking, is essential to fostering independence as an adult,” Empower Simcoe CEO Claudine Cousins said. “It’s magical...
At Empower Simcoe, we stand by the belief that "Kids Belong Together," whether in physical classrooms or virtual learning spaces. Annually, we honor those remarkable individuals from the Simcoe County District School Board and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board who go above and beyond....
Empower Simcoe, along with other organizations in the Developmental Services (DS) sector, is advocating for sustainable funding for organizations that support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Empower Simcoe CEO Dr. Claudine Cousins recently met with Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey, Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin,...
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...
We look good in purple! On October 19, Empower Simcoe was thrilled to participate in the nationwide Light It Up! For NDEAM campaign in honour of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Every October, this initiative unites organizations coast-to-coast in illuminating buildings and landmarks in vibrant shades...
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...
Empower Simcoe, celebrating 70 years of support and service in Simcoe County, is excited to host a 70th Anniversary Summer Celebration on July 23rd. Get ready for an action-packed day of fun, entertainment, delicious food, and heartwarming memories. In this short video message from CEO Claudine...
Empower Simcoe is a non-profit organization that has been providing support and services to individuals with intellectual disabilities and developmental needs for 70 years. To celebrate this milestone, Empower Simcoe is hosting a 70th Anniversary Celebration Party on July 23rd from 1pm-5pm at Rounds Ranch...
Supports and Services Director Luke Lynn, Supports and Services Manager Michele Kapteyn, Program Associate Joan Crozier, and CEO Dr. Claudine Cousins visited Barrie and Fire Emergency Services to extend Empower Simcoe's heartfelt gratitude for the generous support of our Christmas Gift Hamper campaign. This past Christmas,...
Please join Empower Simcoe in congratulating Jackie and her sons Jaxon and Jett for sharing their artwork that graces our 70th Anniversary Empower Simcoe Thank You card. Jackie, Jaxon, and Jett love to express the importance of helping one another. No act of kindness is too...
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...
The totals are in! $16,000 raised at the 2022 Empower Simcoe Celebrating Community Champions Fashion Show! Our heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsors: Presenting sponsor - RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities Platinum sponsor - The Kiwanis Club of Barrie Silver sponsors - Just Junk, and Retired Teachers of Ontario...
The Empower Simcoe Regional Housing Support Services program is hosting a housing education course for anyone seeking housing or at risk of losing their housing. In this RentSmart course, students will learn about how to find rental housing, access community housing resources, build competencies as a...
Please join us in congratulating the 2021-2022 Empower Simcoe Gift of the Heart Award recipients. “The Gift of the Heart Awards recognize extraordinary individuals and organizations who have impacted the lives of the people and families supported by Empower Simcoe and our employees through their exceptional...
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...
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...
On June 10, the Empower Simcoe Foundation announced the #StaySafeOutside campaign, inviting donations to help make the backyards and patios of Empower Simcoe’s supported living homes more beautiful and enjoyable for the people who live there. [caption id="attachment_12674" align="alignright" width="450"] Ben, Travis, and Dave enjoy the...
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...
National Volunteer Week is April 19-25th! This year's theme is, "It's time to applaud this country's volunteers." At Empower Simcoe we give cheers to the commitment, dedication and selflessness of all our volunteers who help people we support engage in the community. They also assist us at...
Are you a family member supporting an individual with disabilities in Simcoe County? The Simcoe County Family Network was started BY families, FOR families. Please check out the Simcoe County Family Network page on Facebook. You can follow the page for current, relevant and local information. From the...
Empower Simcoe is privileged to be supported by many individuals who volunteer their time to enrich the lives of others without asking for something in return. They lend time and expertise on many of our Boards and Committees, spend time reading stories at the EarlyON...