On June 27th, Empower Simcoe CEO Dr. Claudine Cousins was named Chair of OASIS (Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs) at its Annual General Meeting.[caption id="attachment_20129" align="alignright" width="450"] Claudine...
June 17-21 marks Developmental Service Worker Appreciation Week!Let's take the time to recognize, celebrate, and thank all our essential Empower Simcoe support staff for their resilience, dedication, and commitment to...
June highlights both Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), recognizing the significance of Indigenous history, heritage, resilience, and the diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples...
Journey to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion and the work my division at the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is doing to help improve services for people with developmental...
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 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...
Shine on Empower Simcoe!The celebration of Community Living Month 2024 kicked off with a vibrant display of support and solidarity at Empower Simcoe offices in Barrie and Orillia on the...
We're thrilled to announce that registration for our Summer Adventures Program for high-school aged youth opens on May 9th! Get ready for a summer packed with growth, fun, and adventure....
This May, light up your world in blue and green to support inclusion and community living. Join us on Wednesday, May 1st, as we participate in Community Living Ontario's Shine...
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...
We're thrilled to announce the upcoming 'Focus on Families - Virtual Series,' a trio of information-packed sessions designed to support families and caregivers. Highlighting our strong partnership, we're especially proud...
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...
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...
The ultimate adventure is unfolding this week with our annual March Break Bash! Aimed at high school students from grades 9 to 12, this dynamic camp is set to make...
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...
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...
Drum roll, please! The results of the 2023 Empower Simcoe Communications Survey are now available, marking a significant milestone in our journey towards enhanced communication and community engagement. We extend...
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...
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...
Congratulations to Empower Simcoe artists Raymund Concon and Joel Pisano for sharing their inspiring and creative artwork that graces our 2024 Empower Simcoe Thank You card.According to Raymund, his watercolour...
Empower Simcoe is committed to continuous improvement and effective planning in support services. To achieve this, the Strategic Plan Committee - Goal Planning is conducting a survey to gather valuable...
Fall is a busy time for conferences in the developmental services sector. These are important opportunities for dialogue and for sharing ideas. Ministry representatives are pleased to have participated in...
The 2023 Empower Simcoe Fashion Show was a spectacular fusion of elegance and inclusivity that brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds to celebrate talent and creativity. Amidst the glitz and...
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...
Welcome to an immersive journey of self-expression through movement, music, and dance! The ‘Ex-press Yourself’ course by Empower Simcoe is a unique blend of melody and motion, designed to unleash...
Empower Simcoe is developing a new communications strategy and we need your input to better understand how you receive information. Aimed at people supported, staff, family members, and community members...
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...
Calling all Unpaid Caregivers in Simcoe County. The 2024 Respitality Program is open for applications November 27 – December 31, 2023What is Respitality? Respite + Hospitality = RespitalityEmpower Simcoe and...
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...
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...
The Barrie Chamber of Commerce is proud to congratulate Empower Simcoe CEO Dr. Claudine Cousins as the recipient of its first Leadership in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award.Presented at the...
In partnership with Creative Cafe, Barrie, the Empower Simcoe Artisans’ Card Contest is once again open for art submissions from the people and families supported by Empower Simcoe.The winning entrant’s...
Are you currently receiving services from Empower Simcoe and would like to learn more about how to empower your voice and advocate for people with intellectual disabilities?Then the Empower Simcoe Believe...
The totals are in. $35,000 raised at the 2023 Empower Simcoe Celebrating Community Champions Fashion Show! Photos below. This year’s show at the Heights of Horseshoe in front of a sold out crowd...
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...
Light It Up! spotlights the many ways people who have a disability contribute to businesses and their communities, helping companies be successful and competitive. Empower Simcoe is thrilled to announce its...
Our next 70th anniversary Empower Simcoe event is one week away!The Empower Simcoe Celebrity Slo-Pitch game hosted by the Barrie Bay Cats is scheduled for Thursday October 5th. Come out...
The 2022-2023 Gift of the Heart Awards were handed out during Empower Simcoe's 70th Annual General Meeting on September 20th.“The Gift of the Heart Awards recognize extraordinary individuals and organizations...
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...
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...