Annual Report 2024 – 2025
One Safe Door. Every Child Heard.
MESSAGE FROM
The Executive Director & Board Chair
This past year marked significant growth, expanded responsibility, and deepened impact for the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre of Simcoe Muskoka (CYACSM).
Across our region, more children and youth are disclosing abuse. More families are navigating complex investigations and court processes. More young people require immediate mental health stabilization while waiting for long-term services. The demand for coordinated, trauma-informed support continues to rise.
At CYACSM, children and families enter one safe door — where police, child protection, medical professionals, mental health providers, and advocates work together so each child can share their story once and begin to heal.
In 2024–2025:
- 800 children, youth, and caregivers supported
- 300+ forensic interviews conducted
- Child Victim Witness Support delivered across seven courthouses
- 30% increase in investigative volume
Each of these numbers represents a child who found safety in disclosure. A caregiver who received clarity during crisis. A young person who did not have to face the justice system alone.
When a child is ready to speak, waiting is not an option. Early, coordinated intervention changes outcomes.
The CYAC model reduces further traumatization by coordinating investigations and care, providing timely access to advocacy and counseling, and strengthening community safety through early intervention. Research shows that for every $1 invested in CYACs, more than $5 in social and economic value is generated through reduced justice, health, and social system costs.
As a regional hub serving over 9,000 square kilometres, CYACSM is more than a centre — we are a coordinated system response.
Our growth reflects community trust. It also underscores the need for sustainable investment to ensure every child continues to receive timely, trauma-informed support.
With gratitude,
Kate Waugh
Executive Director
Valarie (Val) Gates
Board Chair
Kate Waugh
Executive Director
Valarie (Val) Gates
Board Chair
IMPACT SNAPSHOT
2024-2025
Children, youth, and caregivers supported.
Forensic interviews conducted.
Courthouses served.
%
Increase in investigative volume.
%
of caregivers report feeling supported and informed.
%
of youth in prevention programs report stronger confidence and help-seeking behaviours.
9,000 km²
Regional Service Area
EXPLORE THE REPORT
Select an icon below to navigate to a specific section, or scroll through the full report.
SERVICES
Coordinated Investigations
CYACSM’s Multi-Disciplinary Team brings together police, child protection, medical professionals, mental health providers, and justice partners to ensure children tell their story once, in a trauma-informed environment.
As investigative volume increased by 30%, coordinated response became even more critical.
“CYACSM has transformed how our community responds to child abuse. Having all partners under one roof means faster action, better communication, and less trauma for kids.”
Detective, Ontario Provincial Police
The coordinated model strengthens both healing and justice outcomes.
Child Victim Witness Support
Seven Courthouses. One Consistent Approach.
CYACSM delivers court preparation and accompaniment services across seven jurisdictions throughout Simcoe Muskoka and Bradford.
Children receive:
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- Age-appropriate court education
- Courthouse orientation
- Emotional readiness support
- Accompaniment during testimony
- Ongoing advocacy coordination
The justice system can be intimidating. Trauma-informed court preparation reduces anxiety and increases confidence, ensuring children are supported at every stage.
Advocacy
A Single Guide Through the System
Every child and family is connected with a dedicated Advocate who provides consistent guidance from intake through resolution.
Advocates coordinate communication, connect families to resources, and ensure no one navigates the system alone.
“Without CYACSM, I don’t know how we would have navigated police, court, and counselling after what happened to our child. The team helped us feel safe, understood, and supported every step of the way.”
Parent, Barrie Centre
Advocacy is foundational to healing.
PREVENTION & REACH
Healing & Stabilization
Bridging Supports to Wellness
Between disclosure and long-term therapy, families often face extended wait times.
Bridging Supports to Wellness provides short-term stabilization through coping strategies, psychoeducation, caregiver coaching, and flexible service delivery options.
Early intervention reduces escalation and strengthens resilience.
Prevention & Youth Empowerment
Common Ground Youth Group
Prevention is protection.
Common Ground provides youth aged 12–18 with education on healthy relationships, consent, digital safety, and exploitation awareness.
“Without CYACSM, I don’t know how we would have navigated police, court, and counselling after what happened to our child. The team helped us feel safe, understood, and supported every step of the way.”
Parent, Barrie Centre
In 2025–2026, Common Ground will expand into:
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- Innisfil
- Wasaga Beach
- Midland
Expanding prevention ensures youth access education before harm escalates.
Regional Reach
CYACSM serves a geographic region spanning more than 9,000 square kilometres, including Barrie, Orillia, Midland, Collingwood, Bracebridge, Alliston, Cookstown, Bradford, and surrounding communities.
Mobile capacity ensures equitable access for rural and urban families alike.
MEET OUR TEAM
Strengthening Capacity. Supporting Children.
As investigative and court demand increased, CYACSM strengthened both frontline and governance capacity.
Angela Gontier
Child Witness Advocate Program Lead
Leads the Child Victim Witness Support Program across seven courthouses, ensuring consistent, trauma-informed court preparation and accompaniment.
Courtney Allison
Child Witness Advocate
Prepares and accompanies children involved in court proceedings, helping reduce anxiety and increase confidence through education and support.
Ciara Corcoran
Child & Youth Advocate
Supports children and non-offending caregivers from intake through investigation, serving as a consistent guide through complex systems.
Ashley Collins
Operations Coordinator
Strengthens operational systems and coordination to support seamless, region-wide service delivery.
Peter Famiglietti
Board Member
Provides strategic governance oversight as CYACSM continues to expand its regional impact.
Mike Lassaline
Board Member
Supports board-level strategy and sustainability planning to ensure long-term service stability.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
CYACSM operates as a registered non-profit organization supported by provincial and federal partners, municipalities, foundations, corporate sponsors, and community donors.
As investigative volume increased by 30% and court services expanded across seven jurisdictions, sustainable investment remains essential to maintaining timely, coordinated support.
We remain committed to transparency, responsible stewardship, and maximizing community impact.
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
Supporting children and youth who have experienced abuse requires a community that believes in healing, dignity, and justice.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the individuals, foundations, corporate partners, and government supporters whose generosity strengthens the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre of Simcoe Muskoka. Your support ensures that children and families in our region can access compassionate care, coordinated services, and a pathway toward healing.
Government & Public Sector Support
Ministry of the Attorney General
Justice Canada
Ontario Trillium Foundation
City of Orillia
Springwater Township
Simcoe County Community
Orillia Community Investment Fund
Foundations & Corporate Partners
The Dunkley Foundation
JP Bickell Foundation
Bell Let’s Talk
Baytowne Hyundai
Individual Donors
Allan Saunders
Ania Fairfield
Anja Boer
Alyssa Wright
Barbara Lockhart
Chelsea Poirier
Christine Chraman
Christine Jarvis
Connie Bagley
Donna Kumagai
Ed & Halinka Dybka
Erica Sinclair
Jane Waechter
James Kruk
Jennifer Harris
Kelly Emerson
Kelly Hoogeveen
Kimberley Greenwood
Lisa Addison
Paula Waugh
Sara Aureli
Serena Biesinger
Shaan Parekh
Stephan Kleiser
Yasmine Folliott
Looking Ahead: 2025–2026
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- Expand Common Ground into Innisfil, Wasaga Beach, and Midland
- Strengthen investigation capacity at Bell Farm Road
- Sustain Child Victim Witness Support across seven courthouses
- Expand rapid-access mental health supports
- Deepen Indigenous engagement
- Strengthen outcome measurement and evaluation
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