Snow still clings to the curb along Tiffin Street, but inside an old paramedic station, a vision for Barrie’s homeless population is taking concrete shape—a vision built on kitchens, urgent-care rooms, and something less tangible: hope.
On Wednesday, Barrie Cares unveiled the first phase of its Campus of Care, a project aiming to turn 113 Tiffin Street into a lifeline for those caught between the streets and stable housing. The transformation is more than cosmetic. Renovations worth $250,000 are underway, slated to deliver a kitchen and dining space, a warming area for harsh nights, and medical rooms tailored for urgent needs. The doors are set to open later this year, marking a shift from emergency response to proactive support.
Next door, the County of Simcoe is moving quickly to install 40 bridge-housing units, each a single-bedroom refuge connected by a shared shower and bathroom block. The modular units, arriving from Calgary, will land within days; with installation expected to take up to six weeks, they will soon weave a practical pathway from shelter to self-sufficiency for Barrie’s most vulnerable residents.
The collective behind this operation reads like a who’s who of community action: Barrie Cares, City of Barrie, Simcoe County, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association, Georgian College, Barrie Police Service, and the Barrie Chamber of Commerce. Together, they’re crafting what Barrie Cares describes as a “seamless pathway” from crisis to care—all under the city’s community safety and well-being plan.
Paul Larche and Jamie Massie, directors of Barrie Cares, are candid about the long road ahead. Massie, reflecting on months of planning and partnership, called the project “fantastic” and evidence that “a community that cares” can push beyond good intentions. For now, the focus is on making the temporary campus a reality, with eyes set on launching a permanent facility in 2028—location still under wraps, but announcement coming soon, Massie hinted.
The stakes are personal. Barrie Cares, formed just last year, has made restoring dignity and stability its mission. As construction equipment begins its work, the city finds itself at a crossroads—choosing action over apathy, and forging a model that may ripple far beyond Tiffin Street.
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Barrie Cares, Simcoe County unveil Campus of Care plans, helping city’s homeless
