Social Services & Supports

Available at the Barrie Public Library

Please note that days and times are subject to change, depending on library hours and partner schedules/availability.

Please contact Community Librarian Maria Romano if you are a social service agency or organization who wishes to offer support to community members at the Barrie Public Library.


Human Services Navigator

Barrie Public Library has partnered with CFS Counselling and Wellbeing to offer a qualified social worker in our library spaces. Ayesha Karim-Mian is our Human Services Navigator and she can be found at the Downtown library five days a week. The Human Services Navigator works with individuals experiencing societal issues such as homelessness or precarious housing, food insecurity, poverty, unemployment, mental health crises, and addictions. She can provide information, support, direct referrals, and advocacy to assist anyone in need. Ayesha is available by drop-in or appointment.

Downtown

  • Mondays 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Every third Saturday of the month 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Canadian Mental Health Association

Crisis Intervention & Community Response

CMHA's Crisis Intervention & Community Response worker is available to assist with: 

  • System Navigation
  • Information and referrals to CMHA Crisis Intervention Program and other services 
  • Counselling

Downtown

  • Tuesday 9:30-12:00 pm

Empower Simcoe

Regional Housing Support Services

Housing Access Workers with Empower Simcoe can assist with:

  • Providing resources to assist with securing and maintaining housing
  • Landlord/tenant mediation
  • Assistance applying for funding programs, including Low-Income Energy Assistance (LEAP), Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) and the Housing Retention Fund
  • Referrals to community services
  • Referrals to the Redwood Furniture Bank

Downtown

  • Monday 9:30 – 12:00 pm
  • Thursday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Empower Simcoe logo

Ontario Works

System navigation, referrals, and connections

Ontario Works case workers are available to assist with:

  • System navigation and screening
  • Referrals to community agencies and programs
  • Connections to resources and other agencies
  • Completing forms and applications

Downtown

  • Tuesday 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Painswick

  • Wednesday 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Canadian Mental Health Association

Addictions Outreach

CMHA's Addictions Outreach worker is available to assist with: 

  • System Navigation
  • Information and referrals
  • Counselling

Downtown

  • Fridays 9:30-11:00 am

Ontario Disability Support Program

Social service assistance

Ontario Disability Support Program Case workers will be available on a weekly basis to assist with:

  • Accessing benefits
  • Obtaining forms
  • Financial entitlement
  • Eligibility

Downtown

  • Wednesday 9:30-11:00 am (every other week beginning November 27)