Winter Warming

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Based on strong windchill forecasted, warming centres will be open from Thursday, March 20 – Monday, March 24

Based on the strong windchill forecasted, the following warming centres will be open from Thursday, March 20^th until the morning of Monday, March 24th. Any changes to this schedule will be communicated via email.

Barrie East (Blake St.) *24/7 Respite Centre activation in effect until March 31^st*445 Blake Street, Barrie
705-725-8269
Daytime and overnight

Barrie Central (Tiffin St.) *24/7 Respite Centre activation in effect until March 31^st*
113 Tiffin Street, Barrie

705-739-2266
Daytime and overnight

Faith Missionary Church
1355 River Road West, Wasaga Beach

705-429-2059
Overnight hours only from 8:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.

In addition, the warming centres listed below are operational when the weather is -10 or colder or in the event of other adverse weather conditions. Please contact the warming centres directly for availability.

With rising temperatures forecasted in the coming weeks, the County of Simcoe will transition both the Barrie East (Blake Street) and Barrie Central (Tiffin Street) warming centre locations into 24/7 respite centres for the remainder of March 2025. These centres will remain open despite winter warming temperature thresholds (-10 or inclement weather) not being met. This will allow additional options for those experiencing homelessness to continue receiving supports, services and refuge from the elements in alignment with those previously made available at these two warming centre locations. Please note that capacity limits remain the same at both locations. We encourage individuals to call ahead to confirm availability where possible.

All other warming centres will continue to activate when temperatures are expected to reach -10 degrees Celsius or lower.

Please contact your nearest warming centre directly to confirm availability and status.

To maximize options for access to warm, indoor locations, all County of Simcoe Social and Community Services offices located in Alliston, Barrie (3rd floor), Collingwood, Orillia, Bradford and Midland are open each weekday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. for individuals to come in from the cold.

Additional support and information is just a phone call away:

• Call 211 (24/7) or visit 211ontario.ca for information on other community services and programs for people who are experiencing homelessness, living on a low income, living alone, or coping with life changes. Services are available in over 150 languages.
  
• Call 911 (24/7) if you’re concerned about someone experiencing homelessness or sleeping outdoors who may be at risk of frostbite or hypothermia.
  
• Call 988 (24/7) if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis.
  People across Canada can call and text 9-8-8, a new three-digit service, for help when they need it most. The service offers trauma-informed and culturally affirming support to anyone who is thinking of suicide, or who is worried about someone they know. While the focus of 9-8-8 is on suicide prevention, no one who reaches out to the service will be turned away. Whoever you are, wherever you are located in Canada, by calling or texting 9-8-8 you can connect with a trained responder who’s ready to listen without judgement.