PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Emergency Shelter and Housing Programs
The Residential Programs provide transitional housing, shelter, and supportive housing services for women, gender diverse individuals, and youth experiencing homelessness or involvement with the justice system. Programs operate using trauma-informed, harm reduction, housing first, and supportive case management approaches to help participants access stability, support, and community resources.
Program at a Glance
Who We Serve
Residential Programs support women, gender diverse individuals 18+, youth ages 16–24, and adults 24+ experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or involvement with the justice system.
Service Area
Programs are located in Barrie, Orillia, and Bracebridge and support individuals throughout Simcoe County and Muskoka.
Availability
Availability varies by program and referral process, with referrals accepted from community agencies, correctional services, hospitals, shelters, outreach staff, courts, police, and self or family referrals depending on the program.
What This Program Offers
- Transitional housing and shelter services
- Permanent supportive housing options
- Housing focused case management
- Mental health and harm reduction supports
- Crisis support and safety planning
- Court support services
- Weekly case management and life skills support
- Fully accessible supportive housing units
- 24-hour onsite support staff at Paula’s Place
- Community-based housing and homelessness supports grounded in trauma-informed and housing first principles
Joyce Kope House
Joyce Kope House is a 37-bed Community Residential Facility (CRF), transition home, and emergency shelter located in Barrie, Ontario. As the only Community Residential Facility for women and gender-diverse individuals north of Toronto, we provide safe, supportive accommodation and individualized services for adults aged 18 and over.
Read Our Story →
Our program supports women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness, transitioning from correctional institutions, or living in the community while under bail, probation, parole, or other forms of supervision.
Through a trauma-informed and person-centred approach, residents are provided with the stability, resources, and support needed to build life skills, strengthen community connections, and work toward their personal goals.
At Joyce Kope House, we are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where every individual has the opportunity to move forward with dignity, independence, and hope.
Alex's Place
Alex’s Place, operated by Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka, is a youth transitional home located in Bracebridge, Ontario. Alex’s Place has one current unit available and no waitlist. If you or someone you know is aged 16-24 and at risk of or experiencing homelessness, visit the link below for more information about Alex’s Place and how to apply or call us at 705-818-4405 for more details click the link below!
Read Our Story →
In 2019, two District of Muskoka staff members, Shawn and Leanna Kerswell, and their family experienced a tragedy when their son, Alex, died by suicide. He was a young man experiencing mental health issues, and their family could not access the help they needed. Leanna and Shawn (and their son Chris) want to ensure that Alex is never forgotten.
Since this tragedy, staff at the District have wanted to do something to support the Kerswells to honour his memory. In that spirit, District Council passed a resolution brought forward by staff to name the Home For Good youth housing facility “Alex’s Place” in honour of Alex. The Kerswells were extremely touched by this proposal when it was announced at District Council on Monday, March 21, 2022.
Paula's Place
Paula’s Place is a 14-unit permanent supportive housing program designed for individuals 24+ who are experiencing chronic homelessness and require onsite supports. The program is based in housing first, inclusion, and trauma-informed principles. Paula’s Place has 24hr on-site support staff. All occupants are assigned a case manager who meets with them weekly to provide support and resources that will assist with life skills and goal setting. All 14 units are fully accessible.
Read Our Story →
Paula’s Place is a collaborative project between Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka, The Busby Centre, and the County of Simcoe and seeks to support some of those in Simcoe County most affected by the affordable housing crisis.
Paula’s Place was named after the late Paula King. Paula was a co-founder and long-standing Executive Director of Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka. She was a visionary and local mentor to many of the leaders, both of our organization and the local social services sector. Paula understood and spoke to the connection between criminalization and homelessness long before our community was willing to listen. She taught us, and many others, to dig deep and think big when envisioning possible solutions to the criminalization of poverty, systemic oppression, and the growing rates of homelessness. She knew HOUSING was a solution. We felt it important to honour Paula as we forward the work and vision of Elizabeth Fry Society, a vision that she stated in 1989 and dedicated her life to. The interior of the building itself looks as though it has two distinct wings. Collaboratively, we also decided to dedicate each wing to two very special people who lost their lives to circumstances associated to poverty and homelessness.
The two wings of the building are being named “Diane’s Wing” and Lee Ann’s Wing”; two women, known to both Elizabeth Fry Society and The Busby Centre, who could have benefited from a supported housing program.
Referrals to Paula’s Place are received through the Simcoe County Coordinated Access System. For more information
Purposeful Integration Program (PIT)
This is a six-month transitional housing program designed to support adults (18+) who are being discharged from provincial institutions, including correctional facilities and hospitals, and are experiencing homelessness upon discharge. The program focuses on stability, safety, and progression toward permanent housing. Each participant will have a private, furnished room in a shared living environment, including communal kitchen and bathroom facilities.
Ethen’s Place
Ethen’s Place is a supportive Rapid Rehousing program for youth ages 16-24 who are experiencing homelessness in Simcoe County. This 6-month program provides a safe, structured and supportive living environment focused on helping individuals build independence, stability, and life skills for long-term success. Through individualized support, participants are encouraged to work toward personal goals related to housing, employment, education, and overall well-being. Each participant will have a private, furnished room in a shared living environment, including communal kitchen and
bathroom facilities.