Strategic Vision 2022–2025
Inspiring Positive Change
Preventing and reducing homelessness and criminalization through services and advocacy, ensuring people have access to the supports they need to live a healthy and healing life.
Welcome
A Message from Our Executive Director & Board Chair
Meaghan Chambers
Executive Director
Linda Reid
President of the Board of Directors
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Simcoe Muskoka first opened its doors in 1989. Since that time, we have strived to, and continue to, serve and support those in our community. Our staff, volunteers, and Board members are dedicated to preventing and reducing homelessness and criminalization through services and advocacy.
We have experienced dramatic growth and continuous change over the past few years. This has helped to clarify and prioritize our purpose and define how we want to contribute to those we serve. These changes are also the impetus for updating our Strategic Plan.
We brought together staff, Board members, community stakeholders, funders, and service users to create a Strategic Plan that is inclusive, impactful, and sets the foundation for our organization for years to come.
We have learned from our experience, specifically during the past two years of a world-wide pandemic, the importance of community and collaboration. With increases in marginalization, victimization, and criminalization, our services continue to be needed for so many.
We hope that you see in this Strategic Plan a committed organization working to ensure people have access to the supports and services they need to live a healthy and healing life.
Who was Elizabeth Fry
Elizabeth Fry (Gurney) was born into a family of Quakers in 1780 in England. Her mother’s father, the Scottish theologian Robert Barclay, played an important role in defining early Quaker beliefs.
It was fortunate for all concerned that Quakers believed in the equality of women (250 years before women won the vote), otherwise Elizabeth Fry’s unusual talents in the area of prison reform might never have been realized.
Her insight, persistence, organizational ability and her willingness to see a “divine light” in every person resulted in striking reforms taking place in the manner in which women and children were treated in London’s Newgate Prison.
She was a strong proponent of humane treatment for prisoners and regarded by many as a leading expert in prison reform.Most of her life was spent in England, although she did visit Ireland and continental Europe.
She also offered advice to the Americas, Russia and Australia. She died in 1845 at the age of 66 years.The first Canadian Elizabeth Fry Society was established in Vancouver in 1939. The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS) was originally conceived of in 1969 and was incorporated as a voluntary non-profit organization in 1978.
Today there are 24 local member societies across Canada.
Who We Serve
We serve youth and adults accessing services and supports in Simcoe County and Muskoka who are at risk of or experiencing criminalization and homelessness, with expertise in service delivery for women and gender diverse individuals.
Our Approach
A solution-focused organization that operates services which are inclusive, client-centred, and trauma-informed, delivered through harm reduction, justice reform, and housing-focused approaches.
Our Impact 2021–2022
1,927
Total Unique Individuals Served
Joyce Kope
House
457
Provided Shelter and transitional support.
Correctional Programs
338
Group program sessions
Rural & Remote Programming
227
Rural and remote programming participants
Safe Independent Choices
195
1:1, group, and workshop
Joyce Kope
House
457
Provided Shelter and transitional support.
Correctional Programs
338
Group program sessions
Rural & Remote Programming
227
Rural and remote programming participants
Safe Independent Choices
195
1:1, group, and workshop
Youth Justice Programs
- Extrajudicial Measures: 102
- Extrajudicial Sanctions: 57
- Restorative Justice: 16
Trustee & Transitional Home
- Simcoe Youth Trustee Program: 101
- Muskoka Youth Trustee Program: 14
- Alex Place Youth Transitional Home: 6
- Reporting Centre: 33 individuals on parole
Direct Accountability
310
Program participants supported through accountability
Post-Incarceration Program
45
Individuals discharged from Central North Correctional Centre
Restitution Distributed
$45,744
Rural and remote programming participants
Our History
Tracing our roots from Elizabeth Fry’s 18th-century prison reform work to our community in Simcoe Muskoka today.
1780–1845
Elizabeth Fry: The Foundation
Elizabeth Fry (Gurney) was born into a Quaker family in 1780 in England. Her insight, persistence, and organizational ability resulted in striking reforms in how women and children were treated in London’s Newgate Prison. She was a strong proponent of humane treatment for prisoners and promoted the idea of rehabilitation instead of harsh punishment. She also helped the homeless, establishing a “nightly shelter” in London. She died in 1845 at the age of 66.
1939–1952
National Foundations
The first Canadian Elizabeth Fry Society opened in Vancouver in 1939. The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies was formed in 1969. The Council of Elizabeth Fry Societies of Ontario (CEFSO) was established in 1952 and formally registered as a non-profit corporation in 1985. EFSSM remains an active member of CEFSO. Today there are 24 local member societies located across Canada offering critical front-line services to their communities.
1989–1994
Simcoe County Begins
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Simcoe County was co-founded by Paula King and Joyce Kope in January 1989. It was incorporated as a non-profit in February 1991 and became a CRA Charitable Organization the same year. In 1994, a nine-bed halfway house (Maple House) was officially opened following the purchase of 102 Maple Avenue.
2001–2006
Youth Justice Expansion
In 2001, selected by the Ministry of Child and Youth Services and the Ministry of the Attorney General to administer a pilot Youth Justice Committee project. In 2005, received funding to provide Extrajudicial Sanctions, Extrajudicial Measures Programs, and Restorative Justice Programs. In 2006, Community Programs (Anger Management, Substance Use, Anti-theft, and Healthy Relationships) were launched.
2010–2019
Growth & Regional Reach
In 2010, the Direct Accountability Program was developed and implemented. In 2012, received funding from United Way Simcoe Muskoka to deliver Community Programs to residents in Muskoka through Probation Offices throughout the region. In 2013, the Mental Health Worker Program was created to support community members.
2020–2022
Pandemic Response & Resilience
In 2020, Joyce Kope House moved into a temporary hotel model at the Comfort Inn in Barrie during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we continued to serve our community—demonstrating the importance of community and collaboration in the face of increased marginalization, victimization, and criminalization.
2022–2023
Alex’s Place opened
In partnership with the District Municipality of Muskoka Alex’s Place opened in
Bracebridge and welcomed it’s first occupants.
2023–2024
First Supported Permanent Housing Project
In June 2023, in partnership with the County of Simcoe and Busby Centre,
Paula’s Place, the first supported permanent housing project, supports 14 people
experiencing chronic homelessness, opened in Barrie
2024–2025
Ethen’s Place Opened
In collaboration with the County of Simcoe, Ethen’s Place opened in May 2024,
offering temporary transitional housing to youth aged 16-24 in Orillia.
2025–2026
Purposeful Integration Program
Supported by the County of Simcoe, EFSSM opened the Purposeful Integration
Program, offering transitional housing to those who would otherwise have no fixed
address when being discharged from incarceration or hospitals.
Join the Vision
Preventing homelessness. Reducing criminalization. Rebuilding lives. Your support turns our strategic goals into community reality.