Gilbert Centre

💭Would you consider yourself a ? Even if you answered 'YES!' exuberantly we still recommend equipping yourself with the Ready First AIDE tool to ensure you always have access to lifesaving information with the click of a button!

First Aid is a perishable skill and even the most trained individual can sometimes need an in the moment refresher to address the emergency at hand. Make that process more efficient by ordering the Ready First AIDE tool today!

With every $6 (+HST) lifetime access you purchase, $3 will be donated to the Gilbert Centre to invest in our lifesaving programming. Scan the QR Code or follow this link to purchase access for you and your loved ones: https://shorturl.at/HehNp

Happy Friday the 13th Wonderful Community! 🐈‍⬛ If you haven't signed up yet for our Peer Engagement Workshops this month, make sure to get on the list and show up early for your session 🌿

🫶Thank you to everyone who joined us last evening at our Annual General Meeting! It was so incredible to have you all in the space (both virtually and physically) as we discussed our 2023-24 wins and aspirations for the future. Here are some celebratory highlights:

Agency-Wide:
30+ Outreach Events
10+ Pride Events
7+ Advocacy Engagements

S*xual Health Program:
Over 8,000 safer s*x materials distributed
143 people engaging in prevention activities (presentations, education sessions, outreach)
60 people accessed Point of Care Testing and related information about HIV
20 people accessed the MPOX vaccine

Harm Reduction Program:
714 Individuals Accessed Services
7,852 of Brief Counseling Interactions
6,543 acts of Practical Support
Clothing to 152 people
Food to 4,204 people
2,544 Naloxone Kits Distributed

Q***r & Trans Program:
61 Groups Facilitated
297 members of QT server
88 new participant intakes for the Discord server
249,192 interactions with youth on the server

Safer Spaces Social Enterprise:
35 Workshops Delivered
25 Organizations Engaged
750+ Self-Guided Learners
$92,688 Revenue Generated

A copy of the full AGM Report is available for your review here: https://www.gilbertcentre.ca/about

Egale Canada invites you to be a part of our National Coming Out Day campaign. With anti-2SLGBTQI hate rising across Canada, many q***r and trans youth may not feel safe to come out this National Coming Out Day. That's why we need the help of affirming adults, including allies, educators, parents/caregivers of youth, q***r and trans folks and anyone who wants to share their voice of support to 2SLGBTQI youth in the community.

Learn more about this campaign at egale.ca/submit-your-video-to-our-coming-out-day-campaign
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Our goal is to create a video with these submissions that shows 2SLGBTQI young people that they are loved, accepted, and supported, regardless of whether or not they are out.

🙏Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Our hearts were full this morning when we received this gracious package 💜

If you or someone you know have the ability to donate monetarily to help support some of our community's most marginalized please consider texting "LOVE" to 20222 🤳 to donate $5 to the Gilbert Centre (standard message & data rates may apply).

We have missed our awesome kit making volunteers the last two weeks and are excited to see y'all later today! 🫶
Kit Making is open to anyone 16+ who is looking to: get volunteer hours, learn more about the importance of harm reduction and / or spend time in a compassionate space among wonderful company!

📣Dear Community, our Drop-In needs your support. Our shelves are continuing to grow bare as we do our best to keep up with the increasing demand for services as our unhoused neighbours seek a safe place to exist amidst ongoing systemic ostracization.

If you or someone you know have the ability to donate monetarily to help support some of our community's most marginalized please consider texting "LOVE" to 20222 🤳 to donate $5 to the Gilbert Centre (standard message & data rates may apply). Or, check out our Urgently Needed list and Amazon Wishlist to donate in-kind! 🛒

Sharing this post is also deeply appreciated - it takes all of community to care for one another 💜

📣Happening this Wednesday!📣

🌈It's that time of year again!🫶 Calling all community members near and far! 🗺
We would like to invite you to our Centre’s Annual General Meeting, details of which are below:
📅Date: Wednesday September 11th 2024
🕰Time: Meeting starts at 6 pm, doors will open at 5:30 pm.
💻🪑Format: Hybrid (held in the Ed Gilbert Room and virtually via Zoom)
📋Registration: Required. Follow this link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrceCrrjgiGdPNOS1x4bpOkYzu68EnfTAY #/registration
❓If you have any questions or need support registering please email our wonderful Office Administrator at [email protected]
There will be light refreshments, networking, and a guest speaker from our youth program as we celebrate the 2023-2024 fiscal!
*O

This week our Harm Reduction Drop In Schedule is:
🍃Monday: 9:30am - 3:30pm
🍁Tuesday: 12:30pm - 3:30pm
🌿Wednesday: 1:30pm - 3:30pm ** KIT MAKING 💉**
🍂Thursday: 9:30am - 12:30pm ** FOOT CARE DAY!👣 **
🌾Friday: 9:30am - 3:30pm

Did you know that First Aid & CPR are perishable skills? Equip yourself with the tool to as a by ordering Ready First AIDE for you, your staff and your loved ones today! Support the with $3 from each access code purchased being donated to the Gilbert Centre's programming 🫶📲

📣Peer Engagement Schedule for September📣

Be sure to drop by to sign up for our upcoming Peer Engagement Workshops!
Please note that given space limitations and high demand folx need to be on-time for the workshops or your seat will become available.

*x

🐸🌺GC Teen OUTreach🐸🌺

🐸🌺GC Teen OUTreach is a monthly drop-in group for youth ages 12-19 who are looking for a supportive space to explore their identity and build community. Every month we will do a new activity together while chatting about life and getting to know each other. Registration is not required for the group, and participants can drop-in anytime. This month's GC Teen OUTreach activity will be making modeling clay desk buddies! 🐸🌺

😎🦔GC Teen OUTreach group will be held on Wednesdays at community partner spaces around Simcoe Muskoka Region, including the North Simcoe Youth Wellness Hub (Midland), the Orillia Public Library (Orillia), and the Clearview Youth Centre (Stayner).😎🦔

💫Please note that this program was previously called QT Connection, but we have changed the name and description to be more discrete as requested by our youth participants. We have included some more discrete promotional materials to be disseminated to any youth whose parents or caregivers may be reluctant to allow them to attend an explicitly q***r group. 💫

✨If you would like more information about the group, please call or text 249-535-0585 or email Ellis or Kat at [email protected] or [email protected]✨

Gilbert Centre
***ryouh ***rbarrie ***rsimcoe ***rtrans

📣One-WeekRegistration Reminder!📣

🌈It's that time of year again!🫶 Calling all community members near and far! 🗺
We would like to invite you to our Centre’s Annual General Meeting, details of which are below:
📅Date: Wednesday September 11th 2024
🕰Time: Meeting starts at 6 pm, doors will open at 5:30 pm.
💻🪑Format: Hybrid (held in the Ed Gilbert Room and virtually via Zoom)
📋Registration: Required. Follow this link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrceCrrjgiGdPNOS1x4bpOkYzu68EnfTAY #/registration
❓If you have any questions or need support registering please email our wonderful Office Administrator at [email protected]
There will be light refreshments, networking, and a guest speaker from our youth program as we celebrate the 2023-2024 fiscal!
*O

Our 5 day a week Harm Reduction Drop-In continues to see an increase in folx accessing our services, especially with the ongoing cuts to lifesaving low-barrier services and the escalating political attack on People Who Use Drugs.

If you or someone you know has the means to contribute financially or in kind, we would be ever grateful. It takes all of community to take care of one another.

Ways You Can Help:
📦Order something off of our Amazon Wishlist to be delivered directly to our Centre on a one-time or recurring basis. Scan the QR Code to access our Amazon Wishlist or follow this link: https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/21TJF4ZWL3HCQ?
🛒 Pick up a few extra items on your next trip to the store and drop them off to our Centre at 80 Bradford Street, Suite 525 anytime during business hours (Mon - Fri, 9am - 4pm).
💸 Make a monetary donation on a one-time or recurring basis via our CanadaHelps page which can be accessed here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-gilbert-centre/
🗣 Spread the word! Tell your loved ones, neighbours, local politicians and policy makers about the need for low-barrier harm reduction services in Simcoe Muskoka. Share our content to help challenge the narrative and stop the stigma in our communities❣

📣PSA!📣 Our September Drop-In Schedule is out and we cannot wait to see you 🫶
This week we will be open:
🐌Tuesday: 12:30pm - 3:30pm
🐪Wednesday: **KIT MAKING!** 1:30pm - 3:30pm 💉
🐞Thursday: **FOOT CARE DAY!** 9:30am - 12:30pm 👣
🐝Friday: 9:30am - 3:30pm

🫶 Come learn about communication and safe s*x with our awesome Peer Engagement Coordinator! Sign up soon as spots fill up fast and please be sure to arrive 15 minutes early as spots will be given to participants who are present ❣

🦋🕯💜
Ryan's Hope

Gentle reminder that our Centre will be closed today, reopening tomorrow.

Join us this evening at Barrie City Hall in memory of those we have lost to the ongoing toxic drug supply Ryan's Hope is hosting a Vigil of Hope & Remembrance to honour them and hold space for our community to manifest a more gentle future 🕯🦋

The Gilbert Centre will be on site to provide harm reduction supplies, educational materials and solidarity for our community.

🦋🕯💜

📣PSA!📣
All Gilbert Centre programming will be on pause on Monday, September 2nd in observation of the civic holiday. Please be sure to access any support or supplies in preparation for this.

It is the mission of Camp Wendake to provide a safe, welcoming residential camping experience for persons living with HIV and those who support them. It has become a beacon of hope for many families affected by HIV/AIDS and is an opportunity to experience unwavering support in a non-stigmatizing environment.

One of our amazing participants, Ashley, agreed to share the impact Camp Wendake has had on their journey in hopes of inspiring others to apply to join next year as well as to raise awareness of the need for more low-barrier connection points for other people living with HIV ❣

Camp Wendake has been an opportunity for Ashley to find not only freedom in her diagnosis but also connect with community in ways those living in rural areas often are unable to. Ashleigh, her daughter Mataya, and her mother Paula who live in the Muskoka area have been attending Camp Wendake for a number of years now and consider it their annual vacation; an opportunity to get away where everything is taken care of and stigma isn’t a barrier.

Throughout the years of Ashley attending Camp Wendake she has forged lasting relationships with peers, catalyzing her advocacy on various leadership boards whilst staying rooted in community.

Gilbert Centre Family & Youth Program and are hosting this exciting event this evening!

👖👗👠From 4pm-7pm on !TONIGHT! we will be having a gender affirming clothing swap! Just in time to find back-to-school clothes! 👖👗👠

🌈If you have them, bring clothes to swap and give away or just bring your wonderful self. We want everyone to find some new clothes to feel amazing in! 🌈 Please make sure the clothes you bring are freshly washed!

We will be hosting it at the Gilbert Centre, 80 Bradford Street, Unit 525.

All-ages are welcome, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

We can’t wait! 😊

🚌If you have any questions or need support in getting to the Gilbert Centre, please contact Kat at [email protected], Ellis at [email protected], or call/text 249-535-0585. 🚌

***rbarrie ***rsimcoe ***rtrans

📣Registration Reminder!📣

🌈It's that time of year again!🫶 Calling all community members near and far! 🗺
We would like to invite you to our Centre’s Annual General Meeting, details of which are below:
📅Date: Wednesday September 11th 2024
🕰Time: Meeting starts at 6 pm, doors will open at 5:30 pm.
💻🪑Format: Hybrid (held in the Ed Gilbert Room and virtually via Zoom)
📋Registration: Required. Follow this link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrceCrrjgiGdPNOS1x4bpOkYzu68EnfTAY #/registration
❓If you have any questions or need support registering please email our wonderful Office Administrator at [email protected]
There will be light refreshments, networking, and a guest speaker from our youth program as we celebrate the 2023-2024 fiscal!
*O

👥👋We absolutely love seeing new faces around our table at weekly Harm Reduction Kit Making!👥👋 It's such a great opportunity to build community, learn more about the importance of harm reduction and even get some volunteer hours while you're at it!

There is no sign up required and no commitment if it isn't your cup of🫖!

Would you consider yourself a ? Even if you answered 'YES!' exuberantly we still recommend equipping yourself with the Ready First AIDE tool to ensure you always have access to lifesaving information with the click of a button!

First Aid is a perishable skill and even the most trained individual can sometimes need an in the moment refresher to address the emergency at hand. Make that process more efficient by ordering the Ready First AIDE tool today!

With every $6 (+HST) lifetime access you purchase, $3 will be donated to the Gilbert Centre to invest in our lifesaving programming. Scan the QR Code or follow this link to purchase access for you and your loved ones: https://shorturl.at/HehNp

This Thursday our friends at the Krasman Centre will be hosting World Poisoning Awareness Day to honour those we have lost due to the toxic drug supply in our communities 💜🦋🕯

This week's Harm Reduction Drop-In Schedule is:
🟣 Monday 9:30am - 3:30pm
🔵 Tuesday 12:30pm - 3:30pm
🟢 Wednesday **KIT MAKING** from 1:30pm-3:30pm
🟡 Thursday **FOOT CARE DAY from **9:30am - 12:30pm
🟠 Friday 9:30am-3:30pm

What's available during Drop-In (excluding Wednesday's Kit Making!):
🥗 Something to nibble on. Food offerings change based on availability.
☕Something to hydrate you. Beverage offerings change based on availability.
🖥 Access to a desktop computer.
☎️ Access to a telephone.
👕 Ability to access donated clothing and outdoor gear.
💉 Access to harm reduction supplies (HRT kits, snorting, shooting and smoking kits, etc).
🛋 Access to low-barrier, judgement free space to enjoy and relax.
🗣 Ability to connect with staff and other participants

We look forward to seeing you!🫶

📣Come Join Us!📣
A week today will be International Overdose Awareness Day. In memory of those we have lost to the ongoing toxic drug supply Ryan's Hope is hosting a Vigil of Hope & Remembrance to honour them and hold space for our community to manifest a more gentle future 🕯🦋

The Gilbert Centre will be on site to provide harm reduction supplies, educational materials and solidarity for our community.

🔎At the Gilbert Centre, we are committed to fostering inclusive environments where everyone feels respected, valued, and safe. However, in a world where "safety" is often defined by those in positions of power, it's crucial to reflect on the deeper implications of this term. As we continue to advocate for change and challenge the status quo, we implore you to ask yourself: safe for who? Let’s ensure that safety extends to all, especially those who have historically and contemporarily been marginalized, victimized and overlooked. We stand in solidarity with our neighbours who use drugs, who are members of the 2S-LGBTQ+ community, who live with HIV/AIDS, folx who are S*x Workers, and those who are experiencing houselessness.
Every human being deserves dignity and respect🫶