2020-2021 Annual Report | Empower Simcoe

Claudine Cousins, CEO

Watch Claudine's Message
‍

My message to you these past two years has been centered around continuing to evolve, to anticipate and respond to the changes in our community. This has never been more evident than this past year.

The solid foundation of our Vision, Mission and Values continued to guide us as we moved forward through these unprecedented times. As restrictions were implemented, lifted, then re-implemented, we persevered through three waves of the pandemic. Empower Simcoe responded to every challenge so that the people and families we support, and our employees, remained safe and healthy. This was no small feat. It required the dedication, support and teamwork of all our employees and they rose and soared to the challenge.

We implemented many new safety protocols to keep people safe. We looked for innovative ways to re-imagine services and successfully implemented a number of virtual offerings in our Community Support Services and EarlyON programs including the creation of on-line videos that were made available on our own YouTube channel. People supported in group living settings were not always able to participate in the activities they were used to and instead embraced new activities like virtual bingo, hiking or developed new hobbies. We introduced new technology and virtual platforms such as Zoom, Teams, and Bluejeans to support employees working from home enabling them to remain engaged and productive. Enhanced recruitment options, including virtual job fairs and interviews, were implemented to ensure adequate staffing levels. We empowered employees to raise their awareness of the importance of self-care and mental well-being through access to free virtual trainings and webinars, like Mental Health in the Workplace, and a Lifeworks app.

It has been a year like no other but we have come through it stronger than ever. We could not have done so without the commitment of each and every one of our employees and the oversight of the Senior Leadership team and Board of Directors. As a learning organization, this pandemic has provided an abundance of opportunity to learn and grow and we will take this knowledge forward with us to help evolve and strengthen our services. And as we move into the final year of our strategic plan, we will embrace these learnings and use them to help guide us in our planning for the next four years.

Thank you again everyone, for your support and dedication. It has not been easy, but we are almost through the worst of it. Keep safe and I look forward to seeing you in person again as soon as we are able.

Claudine Cousins
Chief Executive Officer

Deborah Wall-Armstrong, President

Watch Deborah's
Message
‍

Hello, I am Deborah Wall-Armstrong, President of the Empower Simcoe Board of Directors. This past year has been a challenging one for everyone, full of uncertainties, and ups and downs. On behalf of my fellow Board members, we offer our profound thanks to CEO Claudine Cousins, the senior leadership team, and all Empower Simcoe employees for their unwavering dedication and commitment to the agency, especially during these trying times.

Empower Simcoe’s priority throughout the pandemic has been first and foremost, the safety, health and emotional well-being of its staff and the people and families it supports.

Driven

In the year before COVID-19, there were over 58,000 visits to the Empower Simcoe EarlyON Child and Family Centers and satellites. With the reality of limited in-person access to information and programs on child development, learning, parenting, community supports, and referrals to specialty services, EarlyON Child and Family Centre facilitators quickly and creatively pivoted to launch the EarlyON Child and Family Centre YouTube Channel, bringing virtual interactive programming to families in our community.

Six days a week, new videos are posted featuring engaging content like virtual circle time, boredom busters, activity inspirations, family challenges, literacy information, parenting supports, and more. Virtual programming like Getting Ready for Kindergarten is available for school-aged children to prepare little ones and parents for school. Life with Baby and Triple P Parenting are other courses offered via Zoom technology.

It's the same informative, and engaging programming parents, caregivers, and children have come to love from the EarlyON Child and Family Centre. Now, it's delivered in new and innovative ways by Empower Simcoe and its employees to provide parents and caregivers the support needed to ensure their child and family have the necessary resources to raise healthy, thriving, resilient children.

Program Facilitator Judy Hubert edits the latest video for viewing on the EarlyON Child and Family Centre YouTube channel

Since June 2020, EarlyON Child and Family Centre Youtube videos have been viewed over times.

Accountable

Jordan Downing and Kelly Docherty, Empower Simcoe Accommodations Support Worker

Empower Simcoe’s journey of organizational transformation through accreditation is nothing new for its employees, volunteers and the people and families it supports. Empower Simcoe has achieved consecutive terms of Accreditation from The Council on Quality and Leadership since 2007. For over a decade, Empower Simcoe has been using accreditation to identify and celebrate areas of success and address opportunities for improvement.

“The achievement of another four years of Accreditation is a powerful motivator that the work we do, has impact. It shows we really are helping people to Be, Belong and Thrive,” says Empower Simcoe CEO, Claudine Cousins.

When Empower Simcoe first partnered with CQL to pursue accreditation, it undertook a rigorous process to review and improve supports and services. The efforts of Empower Simcoe were focused on empowering the people who receive supports to pursue what really matters in their lives, and achieve their personally-defined outcomes.

CQL Accreditation signifies that Empower Simcoe is committed to the principles of person-centered services, and acknowledges the work is not finished. Empower Simcoe looks forward to this ongoing journey to person-centered excellence to improve the quality of life for people and families receiving services.

Empower Simcoe CEO Claudine Cousins announces another four-year Accreditation term from CQL.

Respect

At his Empower Simcoe supported living home, David Carder shows us the pure joy of visiting and sharing a few laughs with his sister and brother-in-law and their dog Chester in British Columbia. Despite geography and the challenges of physical and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, technology, such as email, video conferencing, and social media, has been an essential tool in assisting people in staying connected to other people in their lives.

Respecting these “ties that bind” are links to the greater world that create a blanket of security in the lives of people supported by Empower Simcoe.

Respect is more than the absence of negative comments or actions. It's demonstrating how we interact with people. It means listening and responding to peoples' needs with the same promptness and urgency that anyone would expect, especially in the ever-changing world of COVID-19: supporting people to be safe and still connected to people who are important to them.

At Empower Simcoe, we have listened, understood, and responded respectfully to what people are experiencing in these uncertain times.

Items purchased using Passport funds

Laptops 57
Android Tablets 53
Apple iPads 82
Home Phones 8
Mobile Phones 19
Desktop PCs 3

These numbers do not include items purchased by SIL staff, supervisors or directly by the Family Home program staff

Community

In 2020, Empower Simcoe’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council (EDIAC) was identified as a priority goal in its Strategic Plan: Building the Capacity to Serve. Comprised of employees, community stakeholders, self-advocates and the people and families supported by Empower Simcoe, EDIAC was formed to provide advice, comments and recommendations on issues affecting diversity at Empower Simcoe and to facilitate opportunities to educate and celebrate the different aspects of diverse cultures and traditions.

“The Board of Directors of Empower Simcoe is pleased to see the creation and implementation of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council in support of our efforts to look at how we can expand our capacity to serve in more positive ways,” says Empower Simcoe President Deborah Wall-Armstrong.

Actively working to ensure Empower Simcoe improves its reflection of the cultural diversity of the communities it serves, EDIAC is focusing on all areas of diversity, ensuring Empower Simcoe will be reflective of its communities and vision into the future.

The employees of Empower Simcoe created this flag mosaic representative of our agency’s diverse ancestry and heritage.

Driven

Program Facilitator Judy Hubert edits the latest video for viewing on the EarlyON Child and Family Centre youtube channel

Jordan Downing and Kelly Docherty, Empower Simcoe Accommodations Support Worker

Empower Simcoe CEO Claudine Cousins announces another four-year Accreditation term from CQL.

Where We're At

As we complete the third year of our strategic plan, we finally began to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel as restrictions gradually started to lift. While the pandemic obviously had an impact on some areas of our strategic plan, we were still able to move forward and make some significant gains in our three priority areas.

As of the end of March 2021, we have achieved an 80% completion rate on Outcome #1 People Receive Excellent Services. The move to offering some virtual services for members who attend Community Support Services proved to be a success with many participants. We got creative with our EarlyON program and created a YouTube channel to keep children and families engaged. The pre-construction details of the new supported group living home, now known as Lakeshore Ridge, have all been completed and construction is moving forward, with an anticipated opening date of August 2022. The Social Housing Initiatives and Partnerships Committee completed its work to pursue and research social housing initiatives and partnerships.

We are moving well ahead on Outcome #2 People Experience Services as an Extension of Our Community Reach and Connections with an overall 95% completion rate. The tasks around rebranding, new name and tagline is 100% complete. Great work has been done to increase the agency’s social media presence. Much work has also been done to develop a multi-generational focused Communication Plan through the hosting of Town Halls, use of media outlets, and connecting and sharing through targeted newsletters.

The restrictions caused by the pandemic created barriers but also allowed some of the tasks to move forward more quickly, contributing to a 75% overall completion rate for Outcome #3: People Experience Services as a Result of Building Our Capacities to Serve. A scorecard has been created which will provide the Board with a high-level overview of the health of the agency. We have been busy preparing for re-accreditation that is to occur May 2021. With the restrictions on in-person training, we moved to train managers and supervisors to equip them in leading their teams remotely, as well as holding virtual recruitment fairs and interviews. New Scheduling templates were created and trialed and are being evaluated. Ongoing employee engagement activities have been taking place as well as the sharing of employee wellness, and financial planning information and resources.

The Empower Simcoe Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council had their first meeting in January 2021 and have created Terms of Reference and a workplan. We continually get requests from outside organizations interested in learning about our processes and tools and are being recognized as leaders on this front.

We have achieved so much in this turbulent year and I cannot express enough how proud I am of the dedicated employees of Empower Simcoe who rose to the challenges of providing supports and services through an entire year of lock down, physical distancing, PPE and the many other impacts this pandemic threw at us. Thank you for everything you have done to help get through this.

– Claudine Cousins, Empower Simcoe CEO

2020/2021 Update

Core Competencies

% of employees are trained.

Lakeshore Ridge

Work continues on the development of a new supported living home.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council

began meeting early in 2021, drafting their Terms of Reference and creating a workplan.

COVID-19 Response

Continue to pivot to ensure the safety of our employees, people supported and community members.

Direct Community
Participation

CSS trialled new models in the community, pairing people with similar likes and dislikes through a cohort model, peer mentoring.

Scorecard

Created for the Board of Directors to provide a high level overview of the health of the agency.

Surge

New e-learning platform purchased.

Scheduling Templates

New scheduling templates rolled out.

Agency
Town Halls

Opportunities for staff to have open and transparent dialogue on a variety of topics.

Promotion & Advertising

Continue to raise the profile of the agency through speaking engagements, presentations.

Community Housing Initiatives
and Partnerships Committee

Established by Empower Simcoe comprised of a cross-sectional representation of employees.

Social Media Calendar

Created by the Social Media Committee to strategize recognition of awareness days, weeks and months.

Innovation and Independence
Activator Specialist
Position

Created to work with individuals/teams to determine resources/technology needed to reach an individual’s desired level of independence.

Thank you
Card Contest

An annual contest to highlight one of our supported artists.

Auditing
Trends and
Analysis Plan

Ensures we are collecting the data we need to support change.

Electronic
Suggestion Box

Provides staff with an opportunity to share suggestions and the agency to respond promptly.

Employee Recognition
Gift Bags

Gift bags provided to every employee.

Vacant Lot
on Laclie Street

Purchased with a plan to build a group living residence in 2022.

Electronic Volunteer Database

Selected Keela as the program to assist with scheduling, tracking hours, training requirements and volunteer milestones.

Virtual Recruitment Fair and Interviews

Allowed the agency to continue recruitment efforts.

View All

Impactful Results

Stories of Success

Celebrate with Robert and the simple joy of blowing bubbles

Number of individuals currently receiving support in the Empower Simcoe Family Home Program:

For more information on how to become an Empower Simcoe Family Home provider, contact Supports and Services Manager Michele Kapteyn at mkapteyn@empowersimcoe.ca.

Children & Families

Dreaming Big to His Own Beat

Hip Hop artist Jimmy Saengone has been dropping a beat almost all of his life. Supported by the Empower Simcoe Family Home Program, Jimmy originally began taking music therapy to help with some speech challenges. By the age of 12, he was writing his own songs. Strong friendships made through his musical community in high school further galvanized Jimmy’s passion for creating music.

Inspired by artists like Drake and Eminem, he learned how to rap by spending countless hours researching and emulating his hip hop heroes.

How serious is Jimmy about his musical craft? Thanks to a recent passport funding purchase, Jimmy’s new Rode NT1 Cardioid Condenser microphone is the latest addition to a home studio already equipped with soundproofing acoustic panels that enhance the production environment needed to make these cool sounds possible. Once he records a new track, Jimmy uploads his music on the Distrokid distribution platform to stream his music onto Spotify, iTunes, TikTok, YouTube, and more. By watching what other music producers are posting on social media, Jimmy can stay on top of the latest hip hop trends while producing his own original tracks like Came From Nothing - Give It To Me (have a listen here).

Jimmy’s advice to new artists who want to follow in his footsteps? “Don’t give up too easily. Be resilient and never give up!” Sounds like Jimmy has his next song and album title.

Meaningful Employment

Milestones Go The Extra Mile

There's not much that Daniel Bertrand doesn't love about his job as a Prep-cook and Hobart at Milestones in Barrie. Supported by Empower Simcoe's Employment Support Services Program, Daniel is always eager to learn and embrace new work responsibilities. He enjoys the hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen at the height of lunch and dinner hour. He also takes great pride in knowing countless customers have enjoyed yet another delicious Milestones meal hot off the grill. However, what brings Daniel the most satisfaction at work is being a part of a committed and caring team and the sense of camaraderie that takes place every day on the job. For Daniel's Milestones' colleagues, the feeling is mutual.

"At Milestones, we have a work family, and Daniel is an important part of it. It's been a tough year for everyone, but when I heard Daniel couldn't go home to see his family over the holidays due to COVID-19 restrictions, I knew we had to do something," says Milestones General Manager Sandra Wadsworth.

That "something" came in the form of Milestones' elves delivering gift hampers, Christmas stockings, and treats for not only Daniel but also for his housemates at his supported living home. In addition, a delicious meal with dessert was prepared by the Milestones team for everyone, including Empower Simcoe support staff. Yes, every Milestones employee contributed to a Christmas that Daniel will never forget.

Thank you, Milestones. We're grateful to this exceptional community partner and inclusive employer, and their collaboration with the Empower Simcoe Employment Support Services Program for almost ten years.

This is meaningful employment from a team that cares.

Milestones Go The Extra Mile

Prior to COVID-19, the Empower Simcoe Employment Support Services program supported people in meaningful employment opportunities, with inclusive employers in Barrie and Orillia.

To read about the other impacts we’ve made on our community,
‍Download our PDF

There were housing calls over the last year to the Empower Simcoe Regional Housing Support Services program.

Empower Simcoe provided case management support to 374 people through Housing Resource Centres, and another 152 people through the Regional Housing First program.

Where We Call Home

A Place of His Own

Meet Leslie and his story of a year of homelessness in our community. Without a roof over his head and a place to call home, soup kitchens and Food Banks provided his only sustenance, while shelter was found at construction sites and park pavilions. When the weather turned nasty, he slept in cardboard recycling containers. While staying at the Guesthouse Shelter, Leslie first connected with the Empower Simcoe Housing Resource Centre. With support from an Empower Simcoe Housing First Case Manager, Leslie began his search and journey to finding affordable and available housing that would meet his needs.

Recently, with ongoing support from his Housing First Case Manager, Leslie finally moved into his apartment. A place that he could call his own. In addition, applications were made to the Housing Retention Fund to assist with rent payments, while the Ontario Electricity Support Program helped with the monthly hydro bill. A budget was created to pay off debts, and optometry and dental appointments were made so Leslie could receive new glasses and dentures.

“Empower Simcoe’s Regional Housing Support Services program has made a big improvement in my life,” says Leslie. “They helped me find my home.”

A Donor's Story

My name is Rose Mary. My husband, Tom, and I were connected with Empower Simcoe after our first son was born 8 weeks premature at 3 1/2 lbs. in 1978. Both our first and third sons were born prematurely and diagnosed as having intellectual disabilities prior to starting school. They have both been involved in many of Empower Simcoe’s programs from their early years to adulthood. Our eldest son now lives with his girlfriend in subsidized housing and he is able to access an Empower Simcoe support worker when needed, while our third son is on the waitlist for subsidized housing and currently lives at home.

Our donations to the Empower Simcoe Foundation are dedicated to our second son Todd, who passed away at 6 months old in 1985 from pneumonia caused by the RSV virus. Our granddaughter, whom we adopted when she was 15 months old, also has intellectual and developmental disabilities. She was involved as a baby until she entered school. She enjoyed having the Family Relief funding for the annual Summer Day Camp the last few years. She is eagerly waiting to experience the Empower Simcoe program in a couple of years.

Christopher's Next Steps

Rose Mary and Tom, with their granddaughter

We first knew the agency as BDAPSN, then as Simcoe Community Services, and now as Empower Simcoe. Throughout their history, they have maintained service excellence with their highly dedicated and experienced staff. They have played an integral part in our family’s life over a very long time. Our children have thrived from these interactions, activities, and support.

We have made monthly donations through our bank for years. We also named the Empower Simcoe Foundation in our wills, because we know our children will still be accessing services for years to come, and we also hope to help others. We could never repay the gratitude we have for what Empower Simcoe has done for us, but we have made these gifts so that their services can continue forever.

Even though our second son, Todd passed away before he was able to use any of the supports in place, he is still part of the community agency that would have supported his ongoing development. Because of that, we have added “In memory of Todd” on the plaque we received that is now on the wall in the lobby of Empower Simcoe. We now have our family together through the ongoing spirit that lives in Empower Simcoe.

Sincerely,
Rose Mary, Tom, and our family

Empower Simcoe Foundation

An Enduring Legacy

Ask Ron Ptasiuk what he's most proud of after close to 30 years of dedicated fundraising for the Empower Simcoe Foundation, and his answer is unwavering. "Being able to channel funds wherever I could for needed supports and services is something I'm very proud of," says Ron. "I always put Empower Simcoe's name first and tried to pull as many levers as I could to channel funds to the Foundation."

Over the years, all that channeling and pulling levers from one of our Foundation's most prominent champions and cheerleaders has totaled more than one million dollars, making so many dreams come true for people and families supported by Empower Simcoe.

As Investment and Wealth Advisor of Ptasiuk Private Wealth Management Group, Ron's enduring commitment has ensured the RBC Wealth Management and Dominion Securities name is synonymous as presenting sponsor of Empower Simcoe's Annual Fashion Show and Golf Tournaments. "Helping grow Empower Simcoe's signature events, knowing those funds raised have assisted people and families with respite, summer campership for youth, and the purchase of needed accessibility equipment is something extraordinary," reflects Ron.

As Ron steps away from the Empower Simcoe Foundation Board of Directors, he will continue to remain close to Empower Simcoe. "I had no idea how much my time at Empower Simcoe would give back to me personally," says Ron. "It's just been an honour and a pleasure to have worked over the years alongside Empower Simcoe's employees, volunteers, and the people we support."

The honour has been all ours. Thank you Ron Ptasiuk.

Richard Ellis
Kelly Erb
F.K. Morrow Foundation
Muriel Flynn
Carol Forget
Linda Forrest
Juliet Fotheringham
Beth and Barry Fryer
William Gower
Mike Greer
Guys That Give
Tamara Hannon
Harold E. Ballard Foundation
Ruth Harrington
Sandra Hart
Charles Hofley
William Hood
Tamara Hopkins
Houston Marine Systems
IBEW Local 636
Intact Insurance
IODE West Gwillimbury Chapter
John Jiang
Joe's No Frills
Just Junk
Elizabeth & Brian Keatley
Margaret Kerby
Kiwanis Club of Barrie
Kiwanis Club of Orillia - Community Trust
Wendy Lang
Robyn Latchman
Earl Law
Rhonda LeBoeuf
Joseph Libralesso
Pam Libralesso
Lunch Bunch
Amanda MacArthur

Kathy Malinowski
Kim Mantello
Samir Maredia
Donald Matheson
Lorri McCabe
Juli McCully
Celina McLeod
Michael E. Reed Professional Corporation
Alvin and Anne Moore
Beverly Moore
Colette Moores
Virginia Morrow
R. Jason Murray
Maureen Oliver
Optimist Club of Barrie
Lorne Papernick
Evita Pastorska
PayPal Giving Fund Canada
Don and Judy Peacock
Kathy and Rick Pike
Diana and Angelo Radica
RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities
Linda Reid
Retired Teachers of Ontario District 17
John Ritchie
RMF Vending Services Inc.
Karlin Roat
Brad Robinson
Roderick H. Young Architect
Sandra Rodrigues
Royal Canadian Legion - Barrie Branch 147
Royal LePage First Contact Realty
Valerie Scott
Sheila Skinner
Theresa Skinner
Sherry Smith

Michael Speers
Wendy Stephens
Victoria Stevenson
Surelock Homes
Kim Taitt-Meikle
Mike Taylor
Robert and Johanna Taylor
The D.H. Gordon Foundation
The McLean Foundation
The Outcome Network
Lothar and Brigitte Thiemann
Julia Thomas
Helen Thompson
Tom Richardson Electric (Stroud) Ltd.
Cathy Torella
Turtleback Canada Inc.
United Way Simcoe Muskoka
Caroline Urbach
Ian Urbach
Joan Urbach
Arnold Veen
Victoria Village Manor
Peeranut Visetsuth
Deborah Wall-Armstrong
Wall-Armstrong & Green
Cameron Watson
Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
Ashley White
Angie Wilkinson
Winmar Barrie and Orillia
Cari Whyne
Gilda Ann Whyne
Mitch and Lilian Whyne
Gordon and Barbara Woodrow
Marg Woods
Yorkton Contracting Ltd.

Champions Club of Recurring Donors

Andrea Dickins
Empower Simcoe Employees
Kelly Houston
Daniel and Ann Johnston
Rose Mary and Thomas King

Chuck and Dorothy McIlravey
Ron Ptasiuk
Victoria Ptasiuk
Gale Reynolds

Milestones

Jerry Johnson	Supported Independent Living Worker	35 years
Susan Tamblyn	Community Support Worker	35 years
Lyndell Oldfield	Accommodations Support Worker	35 years
Stephanie Boyes	Accommodations Support Worker	30 years
Donna Penton	Quality and Innovation Resource Advisor	30 years
Tania Cole	Community Support Worker	30 years
Angela Carter	Community Participation Support Worker	30 years
Inka Rossow-Imbeault	Community Support Worker	30 years
Debbie Osborn	Employment Support and Services Coordinator	30 years
Kim Breske	Community Support Worker	25 years
Lynn Stewart	Community Support Worker	25 years
Virginia Evers	Community Support Worker	25 years
Ken Bannister	Community Support Worker	25 years
Tammy Gagne	Community Support Worker	20 years
Laurie Straughan	Supports and Services Manager	20 years
Terri Rodda	Accommodations Support Worker	20 years
Laura Stevens	EarlyON Child and Family Centre Program Facilitator	20 years
Tami Holt-Burman	Accommodations Support Worker	20 years
Laura Stock	Supported Independent Living Worker	20 years
Melissa Ellis	Community Support Worker	20 years
Kelly Docherty	Accommodations Support Worker	15 years
Amy Angus	Accommodations Support Worker	15 years
Kim Marion	EarlyON Child and Family Centre Program Facilitator	15 years
Lindsey Clements	Accommodations Support Worker	15 years
Debra Vidito	Accommodations Support Worker	15 years
Nina Klimov-Horkins	Accommodations Support Worker	15 years
Bernadette Kaczmarczyk	Accommodations Support Worker	15 years
Angela Thompson	Accommodations Support Worker	15 years
Mandy Moniz	Community Support Worker	15 years
Barb MacDougall	Community Support Worker	15 years
Julie Gillanders	Supported Independent Living Worker	15 years
Hannah Mizen	Accommodations Support Worker	15 years
Mary Ann Ramos	Accommodations Support Worker	15 years

Leah Desormeaux	Infant and Child Development Worker	10 years
Tina Billings	Accommodations Support Worker	10 years
Michelle Bernier	Supported Independent Living Worker	10 years
Dayna Tremblay	Accommodations Support Worker	10 years
Mike Nicholson	Community Support Worker	10 years
Brent Dinan	Accommodations Support Worker	10 years
Erica Makivirta	Accommodations Support Worker	10 years
Valerie Taylor	Accommodations Support Worker	10 years
Sue Wrigley	Supported Independent Support Worker	10 years
Ashley Roe	Accommodations Support Worker	10 years
Trish Annis	Accommodations Support Worker	10 years
Jessica Miller	Accommodations Support Worker	10 years
Lesley Wood	Accommodations Support Worker	10 years
Nicole Hamilton-Gough	Supported Independent Living Worker	10 years
Carly Fleetham	Accommodations Support Worker	10 years
Melanie Linkletter	Supported Independent Living Worker	5 years
Paige Johnston	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Lindsay Anderson	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Samantha Quartermain	Community Support Worker	5 years
Nick McKinnon	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Shona Martin	Scheduling Supervisor	5 years
Caitlin Hunt	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Michelle Rose	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Mae Marchand	Scheduling Supervisor	5 years
Christina Taibi	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Alexandra Duncan	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Shawna Reynolds	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Cory Pecor	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Candice Hill	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Jennifer Currie	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Amanda Archibald	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Amber Durocher	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years
Abhilash Nair	Accommodations Support Worker	5 years

Our Donors

Our thanks to all of our supporters! Your donations and event sponsorship mean the Empower Simcoe Foundation is always able the help the people and families who need it most.

To read about the other impacts we’ve made on our community,
‍Download our PDF

Empower Simcoe 2020-2021 Annual Report

Board of Directors

Vision

Vision

Mission

Mission

Message From Leadership

Claudine Cousins, CEO

Watch Claudine's Message‍

Deborah Wall-Armstrong, President

Watch Deborah's Message‍

Core Values

Driven

Accountable

Empower Simcoe CEO Claudine Cousins announces another four-year Accreditation term from CQL.

Respect

Items purchased using Passport funds

Community

Driven

Accountable

Empower Simcoe CEO Claudine Cousins announces another four-year Accreditation term from CQL.

Respect

Community

Strategic Plan

Where We're At

2020/2021 Update

Core Competencies

Lakeshore Ridge

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council

COVID-19 Response

Direct Community Participation

Scorecard

Surge

Scheduling Templates

Agency Town Halls

Promotion & Advertising

Community Housing Initiatives and Partnerships Committee

Social Media Calendar

Innovation and Independence Activator Specialist Position

Thank you Card Contest

Auditing Trends and Analysis Plan

Electronic Suggestion Box

Employee Recognition Gift Bags

Vacant Lot on Laclie Street

Electronic Volunteer Database

Virtual Recruitment Fair and Interviews

Financial Highlights

Empower Simcoe Financial Highlights 2020-2021(In 000’s)

Assets, Liabilities & Fund Balances

Assets

Liabilities

Fund Balances

Sources of Revenue

Expenditures

Financial Performance Analysis

Budget to Actual Analysis:

Risks Identification

Stories of Success

Impactful Results

Children & Families

Dreaming Big to His Own Beat

Meaningful Employment

Milestones Go The Extra Mile

Milestones Go The Extra Mile

Where We Call Home

A Place of His Own

Stories of Success

Empower Simcoe

Foundation Board of Trustees‍

Foundation Board of Trustees

Message From Foundation Leadership‍

Victoria Ptasiuk, Foundation President

Watch Victoria's Message

Stories of Success

A Donor's Story

Christopher's Next Steps

Empower Simcoe Foundation

An Enduring Legacy

Foundation Financial Highlights

Foundation Financial Highlights 2020-2021(In 000’s)

Empower Simcoe
2020-2021 Annual Report

Watch Claudine's Message
‍

Watch Deborah's
Message
‍

Direct Community
Participation

Agency
Town Halls

Community Housing Initiatives
and Partnerships Committee

Innovation and Independence
Activator Specialist
Position

Thank you
Card Contest

Auditing
Trends and
Analysis Plan

Electronic
Suggestion Box

Employee Recognition
Gift Bags

Vacant Lot
on Laclie Street

Empower Simcoe Financial Highlights 2020-2021
(In 000’s)

Foundation Board of Trustees
‍

Message From Foundation Leadership
‍

Victoria Ptasiuk,
Foundation President

Watch Victoria's
Message

Foundation Financial Highlights 2020-2021
(In 000’s)