All posts by SHLF

Youth mental health walk-in clinic opens in Midland

A child and youth mental health walk-in clinic is now open in Midland.

The clinic will run every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County (CFSSC) location at 845 King St.

The free service will be offered by CFSSC in collaboration with New Path Youth and Family Services.

“Walk-in clinics are effective, leading edge services that will help ensure all children, youth and their families have timely access to the mental health supports they need,” said Glen Newby, CEO of New Path.

The Midland clinic will provide free, single-session mental health counselling for children and youth up to the age of 18 and their families. If additional supports and services are needed, clients will be referred to other short and long-term child and youth mental health supports in the community.

This pilot project is taking place from now until the end of December.

“This project is in response to overwhelming demand for timely child and youth mental health services in Midland,” said Lisa Hickling-Miller, a New Path manager. “We firmly believe that children, youth and their families need timely access to care in their own communities.”

New Path is also offering walk-in services in Alliston, Barrie, Bradford, Collingwood and Orillia.

UPDATE: OPP identify Alliston girl, 6, who died in Highway 10 crash in Caledon

The OPP say six-year-old Valentina Palermo from Alliston is the young girl who died after a crash Monday involving a vehicle and a tractor-trailer in the northbound live lanes on Highway 10 in Caledon.

At about 10:15 a.m. on Monday (Aug. 6), emergency responders were called to the collision on Highway 10 between Charleston Sideroad and Olde Base Line Road.

Caledon OPP report a 36-year-old man in the vehicle was airlifted to a Toronto area trauma centre with serious injuries. About six hours following the crash, police confirmed a six-year-girl succumbed to her injuries and died.

While the cause of the accident is still under investigation, Const. Tamara Schubert confirmed the rear end collision happened in a live lane of traffic on Highway 10.

Caledon OPP’s investigation into the collision is ongoing.

The southbound lanes on Highway 10 reopened between Charleston Sideroad and Olde Base Line Road were closed for several hours Monday as police investigated.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact Provincial Constable Eric Kerr of the Caledon OPP at (905) 584-2241 or 1-888-310-1122.

Midland-based Huronia Community Foundation donates to invasive-species program

With the generous support of the Huronia Community Foundation, and Duncan and Penny McLaren and the Stow Fund, the Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) is able to purchase new equipment to support the .

Invasive species, including plants, animals and micro-organisms, can negatively impact the environment and native species, the economy and society. The SSEA and the townships of Tiny, Tay, Severn and the Town of Midland initiated the , to provide local expertise and to co-ordinate a cross-municipal approach to address invasive species, including education, community engagement, mapping, monitoring and management of problematic invasive species.

“Invasive species are not restricted by municipal borders, making a collaborative approach critical. A big thank you to the Huronia Community Foundation; their support makes important community programs like these possible,” said Julie Cayley, SSEA executive director.

The Seven Sound Environmental Association’s mission is to sustain environmental quality and ensure continued protection through implementing a legacy of wise stewardship of Severn Sound and its tributaries. For more information, visit .

The Huronia Community Foundation is a public foundation serving the people of Huronia. The foundation builds permanently endowed charitable funds for the changing needs and opportunities of the community and provides grants to eligible charitable organizations in arts and culture, education, health, environment, sports and recreation, and social service sectors. For more info about Huronia Community Foundation, email or visit .

Girl Guide leaders launch legal battle to stop sale of Springwater camp

Girl Guide leaders in Barrie and Innisfil are convinced the guiding experience won’t be as fulfilling without Camp Tewateno in the mix.

So they’re going to court in a bid to block Girl Guides of Canada from selling off the wooded 100-acre, Springwater Township site.

Two Innisfil members of the Tewateno camp committee — Helen Gilbert and Joyce Goodenough — are seeking intervener status. A hearing is set for Oct. 9 in Toronto, where the court will decide if the volunteers will get their say.

“We could not in good faith sit back and let Girl Guides do this,” Goodenough said. “After all these years, to just let it go doesn’t seem right.”

Susan Birnie, provincial commissioner, said the Girl Guides is selling off 17 of its Ontario properties, including Camp Tewateno, to pour money back into outdoor programming.

Birnie said many of the camps are underutilized and it makes more financial sense to use funds toward outdoor experiences provided by camps owned by other organizations.

She estimates selling the properties will bring in more than $16 million, which will allow the Girl Guides to focus on programs instead of property management.

“We know a lot of people have close attachments to these camp properties, but we have to be good financial stewards at the same time,” Birnie said. “We aren’t really good at property management.”

Girl Guides can partner with other organizations, such as the YMCA and Outward Bound, to give guides outdoor experiences, Birnie said.

Meanwhile, a group of volunteers, including Goodenough and her husband, Gary, have been maintaining Camp Tewateno for the past three years.

“The camp was not being taken care of,” she said. “Our committee has put a lot of work into this.”

They argue the camp isn’t the Girl Guides to sell because it was purchased through local donations and fundraisers in 1994.

The camp committee won a similar legal argument last year when Girl Guides attempted to retain local fundraising money even though a new lodge the money was meant for was never built.

After five-year court battle, a Barrie judge ruled anyone who donated to build the lodge was entitled to get their money back.

Goodenough said a former Girl Guide leader, who is a lawyer, has agreed to take on the intervener case pro bono. The volunteer legal work will save the group about $10,000.

The group has formed the Camp Tewateno Optimist Club so the not-for-profit club can raise money to aid in its fight to keep the camp.  

“We’re hoping to have the deeds to the property transferred back to us so we can continue to keep the camp running for local youth,” Goodenough said.

Camp Tewateno has several sites, including one with Tee-Pees and another with covered wagons that portray the history of Ontario.

Another Girl Guides group in Amherstburg near Windsor is also seeking intervener status to save Camp Bryerswood from being sold off.

A change.org petition called Save Ontario’s Girl Guide Camps has about 250,000 signatures.

Innisfil teacher paddling Lake Simcoe with service dog

Nantyr Shores Secondary School special education teacher Jane Boake and her dog, Buddy, are making a special trip to mark the veteran service dog’s retirement.

Boake and Buddy will paddle around Lake Simcoe on a standup paddle board from July 29 to Aug. 6 to raise awareness and funds for her COPE Service Dogs Canines in the Classroom program.

After founding COPE in 2000, she realized how much dogs could help people with a wide range of challenges — not just physical. That led her to start bringing training service dogs to a local high school to help students who were struggling.

The Canines in the Classroom program is aimed at students with mental health challenges and learning disabilities. The young people learn how to train service dogs in class; both puppies that are candidates for service dogs and older animals suited to the classroom program.

Canines in the Classroom helps students learn to communicate and become more social so they become engaged and successful, in and out of the classroom.

The program is costly, but it’s worth the investment, Boake said. “More dogs in schools results in happier kids.”

As their training dogs’ skills increase, the students become happier and more confident themselves, Boake says.

“It’s all about mental health,” she said “When they train the dogs, their confidence goes through the roof. The program has huge mental health benefits.”

Boake and Buddy start their paddleboarding adventure at Innisfil Beach Park July 29, hitting Camp Arrowhead and Friday Harbour July 30, Jackson’s Point Aug. 1, Couchiching Beach Park in Orillia Aug. 4 and arriving at the main stage at Barrie’s Kempenfest Aug. 5 to mark Buddy’s 13th birthday.

During each stop along the way, Boakes will offer tips on how to train your dog for standup paddling. The paddle will depend on conditions on the lake, she noted, but a boat will accompany the pair and Buddy will be wearing a life-jacket as well.

For more information on the COPE visit . You can also message on Twitter at @buddypaddles. For updated paddle and schedule info, visit

Collingwood students bring high school story to the big screen

A group of high school students are hoping to light up the big screen.

Senior Year is the story of Cole, who is struggling to fit in during his last year of high school, and it’s the first full-length feature film produced solely by high school students.

The film is the brainchild of Collingwood Collegiate Institute student John Cardillo, Jr. and Pretty River Academy student Zane Frantzen.

After hearing there would not be a drama production at CCI, the pair connected with a group of friends and decided to make a movie.

“We spent about four weeks putting together an 88-page script,” said Cardillo, Jr.

“We ended up making something pretty great.”

Filming started in March and saw them shoot in a variety of locales across Simcoe County and Muskoka.

The cast and crew featured 80 students who volunteered from five area high schools including CCI, Stayer Collegiate Institute, Georgian Bay Community School, Pretty River and Jean Vanier.

The film will be screened at the Gayety Theatre on June 29 at 8 p.m., June, 30 at 10 a.m., and July 1 4 p.m.

All money raised will support My Friend’s House.


Barrie Housing looking to add new units to reconstructed 100 Little property

A bigger building will likely rise from the ashes at 100 Little Ave.

Barrie Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation plans to build 11 additional units onto the new fourth floor at 100 Little — the scene of a dramatic fire that forced the evacuation of nearly 70 people in April — Mayor Jeff Lehman told city council June 25.

To build the new units, Barrie Housing requires a $2.5-million loan.

Barrie Housing plans to apply for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation funding for the 100 Little expansion. 

If that application is denied, financing costs from a private lender will result in a roughly $30,000 annual deficit for the organization. 

“(We) decided to restore the original building and pursue the addition of a fourth storey containing 11 one-bedroom affordable rental apartment units,” executive director Erika Erteki said. “Restoration of the original 23 units will be covered by insurance proceeds. Should our application be successful, this program will provide a low-interest loan with a grant component that would greatly assist in meeting the cost of the new units. CMHC emphasized to us that approval is by no means guaranteed. As a result, CMHC has encouraged us to identify a second option for financing the project.”   

There is a backup plan. If the CMHC denies funding, the city will give Barrie Housing a $75,000 grant, under a recommendation approved by council Monday night. This money would offset the anticipated operating deficits until mid-2021, when Barrie Housing pays off its mortgage for the Southfields apartment complex and can refinance its debt.

“Barrie Housing is required to have financing sources identified to ensure the carrying costs of the project are met without generating an operating deficit,” Lehman said. “We don’t want to delay construction. It’s a fairly creative opportunity.” 

The fire left 23 families homeless, though Barrie Housing has since found permanent accommodations for everyone displaced. This incident also triggered an outpouring of support from the community — a warehouse was filled with donated items and more than $37,000 in cash was collected through Go Fund Me accounts.

Construction should be complete by the end of 2019, Erteki said.   

Paul Rasiulis — SMCDSB trustee Barrie Wards 1-5

Hello, my name is Paul Rasiulis and I am running for Catholic school trustee in Barrie for Wards 1 to 5. As a father of two daughters who completed their education through the Catholic school system and with the full support of my wife, who is a registered nurse, I will be a strong and experienced voice for parents and children in our school system.

I am a retired teacher with 33 years of both elementary and high school experience within the Catholic school system. My last 27 years were with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. I currently work as a licensed financial consultant in Barrie.

My educational background includes:

Master of education degree (University of Toronto)

Principle’s certification (York University)

Bachelor of education (University of Toronto)

Bachelor of physical and health education (University of Ottawa)

My extensive background in education allows me to be well-informed and to have a grassroots appreciation of educational issues. Some key issues that I feel need to be addressed are: a) the support of students’ mental health; b) the need for improvement for students with learning disabilities; and c) the distinctiveness of the Catholic school and community.

If elected, I intend to be easily accessible to my constituents and to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner. I have always valued hard work, honesty and dedication and feel that these qualities would make me a strong advocate for the community. I am very proud to have been a member of the SMCDSB and would love the opportunity to continue to be involved in the field of Catholic education.

My contact information is as follows:

Home:

Cell:

Address: 111 Chieftain Cres.

Barrie, ON, L4N 6J2

Facebook and LinkedIn: Paul Rasiulis

Twitter: @PRasiulis

Is this the alternative to smoking? Walk or Run to Quit debuts in Barrie

It’s time to butt out and get your bottom into shape.

Barrie Running Room will introduce the 10-week Walk or Run to Quit program Aug. 20. The program runs across Canada, but this is the first time it has come to the city, Running Room area manager Barry Smith said.

The program helps participants replace smoking with a healthier activity — learning to walk or run five kilometres. Research shows becoming physically active increases the chances of quitting, since exercise helps curb cravings and withdrawal symptoms, he said.

”The program is designed to allow participants to go at their own pace,” Smith said. “Not only do they have the support of the program, they also receive support from other smokers in the group who are going through similar challenges.” 

In 2017, more than half of participants interviewed reported being non-smokers six months after completing the program. Participants also continue to run, on average, three times per week, he said.

The program is a collaboration between Running Room and the Canadian Cancer Society.

“Participants (also) get quit smoking support, including a society guidebook,” society spokesperson Karen Kuzmich said.

The program starts at 6:30 p.m. and Running Room is at . For more information, or to register, visit . 

Penetanguishene mayor takes top admin role in Wasaga Beach

Penetanguishene’s mayor has a new job in Wasaga Beach.

Gerry Marshall has been appointed the town’s chief administrative officer, replacing long-time CAO George Vadeboncoeur who announced his retirement in late July.

He is stepping down as mayor; he filed for re-election — because of the timing of the announcement his name remains on the ballot — but said he will not actively campaign. Marshall said if he is re-elected on Oct. 22, he will decline the post.

Marshall was elected Penetanguishene’s mayor in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. He has served as the warden of the County of Simcoe since 2014. The Municipal Elections Act requires that he step down from his mayoral job; as he is no longer a mayor, he is also no longer a county councillor.

Essa mayor and the county’s deputy warden, Terry Dowdall, will serve as warden until the end of the term.

“I was surprised like most people when I heard the announcement,” Dowdall wrote in an email. “We are fortunate to have great County Councillors to whom I will reach out to for assistance and extremely qualified and dedicated staff to continue moving forward with all our services.”

Marshall said he actively sought out the job after Vadeboncoeur’s announcement, and reached out to Mayor Brian Smith, Deputy Mayor Nina Bifolchi, and the town’s alternate county councillor, Coun. Bonnie Smith. He was one of two candidates presented to council by the town’s consultant on the file, Nigel Bellchamber, for consideration for the job.

He starts Aug. 23.

“I wasn’t seeking to be a CAO, or interim CAO, of any other municipality in the province,” Marshall said. “I’m here because Wasaga Beach is doing everything that excites me about the municipal world.

“They’ve got a vision for the downtown, they’ve got the beachfront, they have tourism, the town is growing. It was an excitement level for me, and that’s what attracted me,” he said. “George’s retirement opened up an opportunity that I thought I would thoroughly enjoy.”

Marshall’s contract is for six months, though he said he will pursue the role when it becomes permanent.

Marshall worked in senior management roles in the telecommunications industry for 30 years.

Mayor Brian Smith said Marshall’s business and political experience stood out to him when it came to choosing a candidate.

“Both candidates were very strong candidates … but because of my knowledge of (Marshall), I know Gerry to be a builder, I know him to be a person who acts with speed and precision,” he said. “In the last four years working with Gerry on county council, under his leadership, county council has accomplished a lot of great things.

“Gerry was much more well-rounded for me when I looked at where our community was headed. Gerry’s experience, both in municipal government and the corporate world, was a total package to me.”