Outreach Van Program

Our Mobile Outreach Van is a unique service in the City of Barrie and area. It allows our workers to connect with those experiencing or those at imminent homelessness where they are at while breaking down barriers for those who may not feel comfortable with traditional methods of accessing care to develop ongoing relationships. We assist with information and provide individual advocacy, resources, referrals, as well as short-term and long-term support to individuals living on the street. We are on the road seven days a week. We have distributed food, water, clothing and other supplies to up to 140 people a night.

Our Outreach Van provides people with:

• Basic needs
• Blankets and clothing
• Harm reduction supplies
• Brief crisis counselling
• Advocacy support
• Community referrals

Housing Engagement And Response Team (HEART)

HEART was started by Busby Centre in 2016 and has grown to be a collaboration of community partners including Gilbert Centre, Barrie Community Health Centre, Simcoe Community Services, etc. HEART aims to engage all people who are living, or at risk of living, on Barrie’s streets by delivering walking street outreach to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in and around our community. Outreach workers offer respectful engagement and immediate support.

Travelling on foot, we offer basic needs, food, conversation, minor first aid attention, harm reduction and friendship, and we invite them to come to our Drop-In program for multiple resources, including food, clothing and showers, we advise people about our mobile Outreach Van that is out 7 days per week for food, clothing and basic needs or provide them with a list of community resources such as shelter and community meal programs. Furthermore, we engage interest in housing and provide people with the resources to create the shortest path to housing as possible. Street life can be dangerous for vulnerable people, and when we find people in crisis, our team is trained to support and connect them to the appropriate services for safety and support.

Currently HEART is able to be out providing engagement seven (7) days a week; Monday through Friday from 6-8am and Saturday and Sunday from 2-7pm. This program runs from April-November as most people experiencing or at risk of homelessness are in shelters from December–March.