One Room, Community Voices: Hope, Housing and Health Symposium - Awareness to Action

Media Release

One Room, Community Voices: Hope, Housing and Health Symposium returns with theme of Awareness to Action

For Immediate Release

(October 23, 2025, Midland ON) The Hope, Housing and Health Symposium returns to Midland on November 20, 2025, at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre. The public is invited to connect directly with local service providers and take part in an open, solution-focused conversation and learn more about the drivers of poverty and how communities are working together to increase access to safe and stable housing.

Organized by local service providers coming together – an outcome of last year’s symposium – this year’s event is themed “from Awareness to Action”. The organizing committee is grateful for the Town of Midland and Midland Public Library’s on-going support providing leadership, the venue and lunch for the afternoon service provider session focused on collaboration that includes hearing from the Midland Downtown BIA and The Sharing Place from Orillia.

“This symposium is a unique chance for our community to connect with local organizations and experts - all in one room - with direct access to valuable knowledge, insights, and support,” said Mayor Bill Gordon. “Thank you to our organizers for the many hours they have put into planning this year’s event. These conversations help us better understand the challenges we face and explore how we can support one another in building a safer, more compassionate Midland.”

The symposium offers two opportunities for the public to participate in this important dialogue. Please join the event to learn, listen, and collaborate, your voice and presence matters.

Late Afternoon Session: 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Meet local service providers as they introduce their organizations, share what they do, and talk about the challenges they face. Choose a scenario to learn what it is like to make choices with a small budget and how local services can support individuals and the community.

Evening Session: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Join a panel of experts for a discussion on Tackling Housing in our Community Together. Community members are invited to ask questions, share ideas, and be part of meaningful conversation. The panel will be moderated by Brian Shelley, Chief Executive Officer and Philanthropy Officer at United Way Simcoe Muskoka. Amilynn Sharpe, a Public Health Nurse with the Simcoe/Muskoka Public Health Unit, will start the evening sharing local data and the drivers of poverty.

Attendees will hear the County of Simcoe’s priorities for housing for the Midland/North Simcoe area, and how other local communities are working together with all levels of government, the public, businesses, service providers and donors to increase access to housing.

• Tim Kent is the Chief Executive Officer of Redwood Builds, a company dedicated to developing sustainable and affordable housing solutions across the region.
• Andrew Scavarelli is the Director of Housing & Homelessness Services for the County of Simcoe, where he oversees programs designed to support vulnerable populations in securing stable housing.
• Linda Goodall is the Executive Director of The Lighthouse Orillia, a non-profit organization focused on providing shelter and supportive housing and resources for individuals experiencing homelessness.

For more information about these community sessions follow the Town of Midland social media posts and visit midland.ca/CommunitySafety.