Hyperlocal Navigation and Pathways
We work with local and regional partners to implement custom protocols and referral pathways for services such as online appointment booking assistance, elder abuse safety planning, intake for utility assistance, backpack registrations, urgent needs funds distribution, and the Home Relief Bank eligibility screening—delivering hyperlocal, coordinated responses that ensure individuals and families can access timely, relevant support within their own communities.
Orillia Community Connection Hub (CC Hub)
The Community Connection Hub is a welcoming, community-based access point in Orillia where individuals and families can receive in-person, confidential support from trained Community Navigators. Through a drop-in model with no appointment or referral required, the Hub provides a safe space for people to talk through their needs, access immediate supports, and be connected to appropriate services. Navigators offer personalized guidance, advocacy, and ongoing follow-up, helping individuals navigate complex systems and stay connected to care.
The Hub also serves as a shared system resource for service partners, enabling coordinated care, warm referrals, and improved access across sectors. As project lead for the City of Orillia, Community Connection established the Hub to address urgent community needs, including opioid-related harms and complex mental health challenges, through a collaborative, person-centred approach. The project is funded through Health Canada’s Emergency Treatment Fund.
24/7 Housing Helpline
Since 2022, Community Connection has operated a housing helpline that connects individuals in Bruce, Grey, and Simcoe Counties to 24/7 support, delivered by Community Navigators with deep knowledge of local service pathways and housing resources in their communities.
As the virtual access point for Coordinated Access to homelessness services in Simcoe County, and a key access partner in Bruce and Grey Counties, Community Connection provides assessment, referrals, HIFIS intake, and ongoing support. Our team helps individuals navigate to emergency shelter, housing services, and other community supports, ensuring timely, coordinated access to the resources they need most.
Provincial Partnerships
The 211 Ontario System provides shared service support for helplines such as Good2Talk, the Caregiver Helpline, ReportON, and the Men’s Counselling Link, enabling efficient, consistent, and high-quality response services across multiple programs.
In addition to specialized navigation services, 211 Ontario’s Navigators draw on their broader network to connect callers to complementary supports—such as housing, employment, financial, and family services—helping to stabilize immediate needs while supporting longer-term wellbeing.