Local victims gain improved supports after province

March 27, 2026

Barrie, ON: On Friday, MPP Andrea Khanjin met with Marie McCallum, Executive Director the crisis-response program Victim Services of Simcoe County (VSSC) to formally congratulate them on the work done as a result of receiving a $199,900 Resilient Communities Fund grant in 2024 from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The two-year long grant helped make VSSC better equipped to deal with the approximately 1,300 residents and county visitors who experience victimization and/or acute trauma each year.

“The $199,900 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will empower Victim Services of Simcoe County (VSSC) to continue delivering critical, front-line support to victims of crime in our region,” said Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil.“By strengthening victim services in our community, we are helping people heal, rebuild, and move forward with confidence. Our government remains committed to ensuring no one has to face crisis alone.”

The OTF grant was provided to build the resilience and sustainability of the local agency by improving the mental health self-care skills of its crisis-response team, offering professional development opportunities to staff, and raising VSSC’s public profile to welcome additional support and engagement from area businesses, organizations and donors.

“We are grateful for the support from OTF to provide the resources for our agency to deepen its commitment to those most vulnerable across our local communities,” said Marie McCallum, Executive Director, VSSC. “These supports are essential to ensuring our staff and volunteer teams are equipped with the tools and strategies they need to respond 24/7 to highly vulnerable individuals in our area.”

VSSC, which celebrates 30 years in 2026, is a volunteer-driven registered charity providing comprehensive support services to Simcoe County victims in the immediate aftermath of a crime or tragedy to minimize their trauma and maximize their capacity for recovery. The agency’s volunteer board of directors, staff and volunteers envision a community where no one ever faces crisis or tragedy alone. For more information about VSSC programs and volunteer opportunities, visit VictimServicesSimcoe.ca.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.