Barrie Community Life Centre
Main street Barrie, ON, Canada

Thank you to Geoff Cook and Kevin Joseph with the Kempenfelt Rotary Club for submitting the Barrie Community Life Centre as an agency of consideration to be awarded a $1,000 donation. The entire amount will go directly to people and families in need in Barrie, we will be sure to post where the money goes and how it will be used to support people who need a bit of help. Thank you Kevin and Geoff, the support is greatly appreciated.

Thank you to Geoff Cook and Kevin Joseph with the Kempenfelt Rotary Club for submitting the Barrie Community Life Centre as an agency of consideration to be awarded a $1,000 donation. The entire amount will go directly to people and families in need in Barrie, we will be sure to post where the money goes and how it will be used to support people who need a bit of help. Thank you Kevin and Geoff, the support is greatly appreciated.

Hello, One of our friends downtown has just gotten his own apartment after being without housing for an extended period. When he moves in later this week, he will be living on the floor as everything he owns is in his backpack. He sent me a list of items he would like, if anybody can help out, please let me know. Here's the list in his own words; "Bed, pillows, bedding, dresser. Couch or love seat, chair, coffee table. Kitchen table chairs, there's no stove so Crock-Pot, ...hot plate, toaster oven, coffee pot, dishes. I know it's a lot but anything that you can possibly assist me with would be more than appreciated. Thanks for your time" Thanks as always for the help. Ken.

Earlier today a whole lot of food was passed out to a few people in Barrie, none of which would have been possible had it not been for the help of two great women. Thanks to Krista Stephen - McNaney who organized a food drive through her Sign Edge (https://www.ontariosignsandwraps.com) business. Thanks also to Lorraine Anderson (Betsy An) with the Firgrove Rec Centre for donating food that the centre had but couldn't use this weekend. The donations received from Krista and L...orraine allowed us to provide food for a week for two families, three men and three women in rooming houses, a couple who are between housing, another couple who are housed and three other men who are on the streets. Other items will also be distributed to tenants of two rooming houses this weekend. Thank you Lorraine and Krista, your help is greatly appreciated and will feed over twenty people this week. Finally, if anybody has any size 6 diapers (or wouldn't mind donating some) we have a family in need. Rent, food, utilities and day to day expenses are all leaving mom and dad short and their immediate need is diapers and wipes. As always, thanks for helping the people in Barrie who need a hand. Ken.

Hello, I have been working with a guy in Barrie who is making the effort to get life back on track. He has a two bedroom apartment away from downtown and has custody of his 7 year old daughter, he's working consistently and has asked for some help to get their home outfitted as it's pretty bare right now. Here is a list of items needed, please pass it along as you can and share my contact info with anybody who can assist. Coffee Maker... Toaster Oven Tea Pot and kettle Pots and pans Silverware and dishes Kitchen table set Lamps End tables and coffee table TV and tv stand Bedroom dresser Queen size sheets Single size sheets Towels and mats Vanity shelf or cabinet Mens size 10 shoes, 32 X 32 pants Girls size 2 Clothing for a 7 year old girl who wears a large top and medium pants And size 11 or 12 shoes for another man downtown Thanks as always, Ken

A few hours ago, the downtown Barrie family lost a matriarch of sorts with the sudden passing of our very good friend Penny-Sammy Kavanagh. The Penny we know is survived by her best friend, her rock and her love, Budd. Penny is known to many downtown for never turning away someone who was hungry or homeless, a person in need of warmth or a person in need of a laugh and a friend. Penny would text me (which was almost daily) asking if I could scrounge up one thing or another, m...ore often than not, she was looking for items for somebody else. Penny was always on the hunt for clothes, boots, beds, jobs, connections, whomever she encountered in need, Penny made it her mission to help them out. Penny texted me yesterday and listed off a few things she was looking for and ended the message by saying "Also, how are u doing? Penny was an artist who took immense pride in her paintings which were on display throughout her apartment. Some told a story of who Penny was and where she came from, some were funny, some were sassy and some were just bad ass. Maybe Penny's painting were just a simple reflection of who she was. She was proud of her life struggle and where she was now, she was entertaining, she had sass to sell and she certainly had inner bad ass that I would never mess with! I don't know if Penny was a fan of Elton John or this song but I think this is how I will remember her and commemorate her. If you have some time this weekend, play this song for Penny. When the song is on, these few lines are for Penny and Budd; I wonder if those changes Have left a scar on you Like all the burning hoops of fire That you and I passed through You're a bluebird on a telegraph line I hope you're happy now Well if the wind of change comes down your way girl You'll make it back somehow That's it Penny, you will be missed. Don't worry about Budd, his friends here for him...xoxo.

Hello everybody, Back in November, we were posting info on families in Barrie who needed some help for the holidays and onward. With overwhelming support, we managed to stock up the fridges, stoves and cupboards for a lot of people for Christmas and into the new year. In addition to food, we received Christmas presents, furniture, appliances, if we asked for it, we got it. One family in particular moved from a motel to a rental home and started out with a few blow up mat...tresses and the clothes on their backs. And now, thanks to continual support, we have been able to help them furnish the house and create a safe family space. With a single parent and five kids, the need for basics doesn't end and to help out, Susan Elliott has created a GoFund me for the family. For those of you who wish to donate, please see the attached link. If anybody would wish to donate to The Barrie Community Life Centre with the money going to support the family directly, we can issue a tax receipt for that. Food donations are also important and we will direct all food and home essentials to the family. Thanks as always, and please direct any questions etc to Susan Elliott or myself. Thanks Ken https://www.gofundme.com/wweqh5-family-starting-over