NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE CARES
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Friday marked the launch of Barrie Cares, a community-led non-profit born from a shared vision: a Barrie where everyone has a safe and stable place to call home.
We recognize that homelessness is a complex issue with deep roots in our community, and we're committed to addressing it through compassion and collaborative action.
"Homelessness isn't just a statistic; it's a reality for our neighbours, friends, and family members,” shares Rowley Ramey, board chair at Barrie Cares. "We believe that by uniting the strengths of our community, we can create lasting, effective solutions and build a brighter future for everyone."
Our collaborative approach
Our ethos is simple: together, we can achieve more. We're breaking down silos and bringing everyone to the table – businesses, individuals, service providers, and governments – to coordinate and implement effective solutions that address the root causes of homelessness.
• Uniting Stakeholders: Through our innovative public-private-nonprofit collaborative model, we harness the strengths of each sector to maximize our collective impact.
• Empowering Solutions: We advocate and help secure resources for programs that provide essential services, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, mental health support, addiction treatment, job training, and assistance securing permanent housing.
• Inspiring Change: We raise awareness within our community, challenging stigma and fostering a community of compassion and understanding.
Partners and members
We are proud to have already convened critical collaborators, including Georgian College, Royal Victoria Health Centre (RVH), Barrie police, County of Simcoe, and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Simcoe County Branch.
"Each day we provide compassionate care to our community, and we are mindful of the complex set of barriers and struggles some of our most vulnerable community members face," says Gail Hunt, president and CEO of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. "Homelessness is a key social determinant of health and a barrier to equitable access to care for some of our community members. Our ability to affect change and improve health outcomes is through strong collaboration and shared responsibility among our dedicated and focused community partners. We all have a role in ensuring that every person has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. Barrie Cares is an essential partner in the effort to raise awareness, foster understanding, and inspire action, and we are honoured to support its commitment to build a more inclusive and caring community for all."
Insp. Valarie Gates of the Barrie Police Service adds: "I am honoured to be a part of this collaborative effort. The combined efforts of Barrie Cares will undoubtedly foster positive change within our community. Together, we will discover innovative and inspiring ways to connect our most vulnerable citizens with the essential services they need. Every individual here is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of all community members, with the hope that through the synergies created at this table, no one will ever feel alone."
Our members represent a diverse cross-section of our community, all united in the goal of addressing homelessness. For a full list of our members and partners, please visit our website.
First steps
We are committed to driving real change. Our initiatives are designed to address the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness and the systemic issues that contribute to it.
• 2024 Homelessness Enumeration: Barrie Cares proudly partnered with Simcoe County on their 2024 Homelessness Enumeration. This crucial initiative provides a comprehensive snapshot of homelessness in our community, allowing us to gather essential data and inform the development of data-driven solutions.
• HART Hub Endorsement: Barrie Cares is proud to be a primary partner in the County of Simcoe's application for a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Barrie. We believe this initiative aligns with our mission to address the complex needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction, offering a pathway to recovery and stable housing.
Barrie Cares is more than an organization; it's a call to action for our entire community. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on homelessness and build a Barrie where every individual feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
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