Organization:
The Lighthouse
Charitable Registration Number:
892281577 RR0001
Name of Fund being applied to:
Smart and Caring Communities Fund
Address:
75 Queen Street East
Orillia, ON L3V 8M2
Contact Name:
Dale Rowe
Title:
Executive Director
Email:
dale@orillialighthouse.ca
Phone Number:
705-329-2265, ext 104
Website:
https://orillialighthouse.ca
Amount Requested:
$5000
About the organization:
The Lighthouse has supported people experiencing homelessness in Orillia for 30 years. Our vision is a thriving community where everyone has hope, home and a future. With 50 emergency shelter beds, 8 youth beds, 2 EMS beds and 20 supportive housing units, we provide essential housing services. Our outreach program and warming center offer critical support, while partnerships with Simcoe County agencies help meet individual needs. Beyond shelter, we address food security, housing goals, medical and mental health support. We are committed to fostering physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Over 100 people access services on a daily and nightly basis. We operate 24/7, 365 days a year.
Proposed Project Start Date:
June 1, 2026
Proposed Project End Date:
March 31, 2027
Please briefly describe the project and how the funds will be used:
The Lighthouse programs serve people experiencing homelessness who have significant barriers to participation in the community. Part of our Strategic Plan 2026-2029 is to take our focus of participant well-being and bridge to programs in the community to improve participant health and wellbeing, improve social support, community integration, employment support, overall improve housing retention and outcomes. The Lighthouse is seeking support to help participants travel to community programs, health appointments, cultural and recreational activities, and mental health and addiction supports in the community. We need to be able to help participants with travel expenses (bus tickets, taxi fares).
How many people will benefit from the project directly and indirectly within the geographic area covered by the CFOA:
In 2025, The Lighthouse served 379 unique individuals in the shelter, 313 individuals through the Warming Centre, and 26 in supportive housing. We are tracking in 2026 to have an increase in services. Approximately 700 people could be supported with travel subsidies to access community programming.
Please list any partnerships and collaborations for this project:
The Lighthouse has many partners that help support people experiencing homelessness including OSMH, the COHT, the Orillia Public Library, Agilec, Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Couchiching Family Health Team, Catholic Family Services, RAAM addiction clinics, Community Connection, Information Orillia, etc. Travel subsidies would help our participants access all these programs and would support our Housing Support Workers to attend programming with participants.
Please describe any in kind contributions/volunteer labour connected to this project:
The Lighthouse will continue to pay for staff travel, while participant travel would be covered through this grant. Lighthouse Volunteers would be initiated to attend programming with participants where possible and The Lighthouse strategic plan 2026-2029 involves a volunteer program that supports participants who are placed in housing with community integration and ongoing supports post shelter.
How will success be evaluated?
Evaluation includes tracking travel subsidies requested and authorized, number of unique participants accessing travel subsidies, participant well being self reported scores improvement
Grant Request Budget
Item:
Bus tickets, Bus passes, Cab Fare, Linx Tickets
Description ( if applicable):
Single Ride ($2 x 500), 30 day passes ($30 x 20), for physical accessibility needs and/or proximity beyond bus routes, Single ride ($4 x 350)
$ Amount:
1000, 600, 2000, 1400
Total Expenses:
$5000
Project Funding
Item:
n/a
Description ( if applicable):
$ Amount:
0
Amount Requested from CFOA:
5000
Total Income:
0
Budget Summary
Total Project Expenses:
5000
Total Project Income:
0
Attachments
File Upload:
https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTQxOXxmaWxlbmFtZTpTdXBwb3J0LUxldHRlci1mb3ItVGhlLUxpZ2h0aG91c2UucGRm
Name:
Dale Rowe
Title:
Executive Direcotr
Signature:
Date:
04/11/2026
Bus tickets, Bus passes, Cab Fare, Linx Tickets
Single Ride ($2 x 500), 30 day passes ($30 x 20), for physical accessibility needs and/or proximity beyond bus routes, Single ride ($4 x 350)
1000, 600, 2000, 1400
$5000
Item:
n/a
Description ( if applicable):
$ Amount:
0
Amount Requested from CFOA:
5000
Total Income:
0
Budget Summary
Total Project Expenses:
5000
Total Project Income:
0
Attachments
File Upload:
https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTQxOXxmaWxlbmFtZTpTdXBwb3J0LUxldHRlci1mb3ItVGhlLUxpZ2h0aG91c2UucGRm
Name:
Dale Rowe
Title:
Executive Direcotr
Signature:
Date:
04/11/2026
5000
0
https://www.communityfoundationorillia.ca/frm_file/aWQ6MTQxOXxmaWxlbmFtZTpTdXBwb3J0LUxldHRlci1mb3ItVGhlLUxpZ2h0aG91c2UucGRm
Dale Rowe
Executive Direcotr
04/11/2026