Christmas comes a little early for the Barrie Campus of Care.
TD Bank is donating $35,000 toward phase one of the project at 113 Tiffin St. The funding will support infrastructure upgrades as the temporary site prepares to open by the end of the year, providing immediate support for people experiencing homelessness.
Nupi Zubair, senior vice-president at TD, said the bank wanted to contribute to the initiative as the community works to address the homeless growing crisis.
“We recognize that homelessness in Barrie is a significant and growing challenge that needs a coordinated, community-wide response,” she said.
“That’s why TD is proud to support the work of Barrie Cares and the first phase of their Campus of Care initiative with a donation of $35,000 that will provide immediate support to those in our community who need it most.”
The site, a former paramedic services building, will serve as a temporary 40-unit modular facility. It will include a kitchen and dining area, a warming space, urgent-care rooms and connections to local health, housing and community supports. An estimated $250,000 in total is needed to prepare the location for its launch.
Phase one is the first step in a multi-year plan to design, fund and build a permanent 30,000- square-foot Campus of Care by 2028. The long-term vision is to create a centralized hub offering coordinated health, housing, mental-health, addiction and social supports.
Maria Cernak, chair of the Barrie Cares Fundraising Committee, said the donation moves the project meaningfully forward.
“TD’s support helps us take a critical first step. Phase one creates a warm, safe, coordinated space where people can connect with health care, food security, service navigation, and stabilizing supports. When business, government, and community partners move together, real solutions become possible,” she said.
Paul Markle, CEO of the Barrie Chamber of Commerce, said the progress is encouraging for those working toward permanent housing and employment.
“This does have a big, direct impact on our community and it’s certainly a positive step in the right direction,” he said.
“We’ve been really pleased that this is going to provide support for people that are experiencing homelessness and hopefully putting them on a path to getting permanent housing down the line and securing employment.”
Barrie Cares is the lead agency for the City of Barrie’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan and coordinates partners including the city, County of Simcoe, RVH, CMHA Simcoe County, Georgian College, Barrie police and the Barrie Chamber of Commerce.
