For over 20 years, a local housing organization has been providing the necessity of shelter, safety and comfort to women and their children in Orillia.
Couchiching Jubilee House, which joined Redwood Park Communities in 2023, offers four furnished apartments for women and their children who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
Community-based support is open to any women who are looking to connect, while housing is offered to women with children who are on the waitlist through Simcoe County’s Coordinated Access Program.
“Our mission is to create safe, affordable and hopeful housing where people can thrive,” said Jennifer van Gennip, director of communications and advocacy at Redwood Park Communities.
In addition to apartments, they offer women in need other support, including Good Food boxes, bus passes and a variety of programs to foster community and provide opportunities to gain valuable skills and experiences.
“What we do is heavy work and people often come to us with multiple barriers,” said Naheed Syed, team lead at Jubilee House. “But the joy that we experience by making one tiny, positive change is worth it.”
One of Jubilee House’s most recent moments of pride was their Mother’s Day Gift Hamper initiative. “The kids wrote their cards and the moms got all teary-eyed. I had a fun time putting it together,” Syed shared.
Like all charities, Jubilee House relies on donations and volunteers to continue with its mission. Those who live at Jubilee House only pay the housing portion of their social assistance for rent, or 30 per cent of their income if they are working.
“Our Rent Supplement Fund helps subsidize the rest of what it costs to operate the house, and this money comes from monthly and one-time donors and foundations like the Community Foundation of Orillia and Area,” van Gennip said.
Potential donors can learn more and make a donation by visiting the Redwood Park Communities website.
Jubilee House was founded by a strong and passionate network of volunteers and currently has a variety of volunteer opportunities available, including delivering Good Food boxes, landscaping, general cleaning and representing Jubilee House at community events. Anyone who is interested can contact Redwood Park Communities by email.
“The more community members learn and understand that homelessness is not an individual or moral failing, the more compassionate our community can become,” van Gennip said.
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