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Mission
Image of graduate holding a diploma

MISSION

To disrupt the cycle of poverty by providing programs that reduce barriers and support the mental health, growth, and development of school-age children and youth in Simcoe County.

VISION

All school-age children and youth in Simcoe County have access to resources and opportunities to reach their full potential.

Girl holding a laptop and smiling as she looks down at a robotic-like structure in her hand.

VALUES

CARING

We respect and care deeply about those we serve, see the potential in all children, and are committed to providing dignified access to our programs.

INCLUSIVE

We value and embrace each other’s individuality and encourage and respect all forms of diversity.

TRANSFORMATIVE

We demonstrate the courage and curiosity to challenge the status quo in everything we do to meet the ever-changing needs of our community.

ACCOUNTABLE

We are responsive to our clients and the community, acting responsibly, with integrity and transparency.

COLLABORATIVE

We build relationships and work with community partners to foster a kinder, more compassionate community to enrich young people’s lives.

A close-up of a crosswalk with the feet/lower legs of three people walking away.
History

How Glowing Hearts Began

After being diagnosed as terminally ill with cancer in 2013, Frank began a bucket list journey. This bucket list consisted of initiatives to help others in need. One item on this list was a concept that revolved around the idea "Give what you can, and get what you need". The registered charity called the Glowing Hearts Community Give & Get Centres was established. Previously the centre has given away approximately 12,000 items to over 1,500 people each month.

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What started as a simple concept: “give what you can and take what you need” has evolved into what Glowing Hearts Charity is today... a thriving organization that supports children and youth in need across Simcoe County.

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Today, as a grassroots, completely volunteer-run organization, the Board continues to ensure that Frank’s vision stays at the forefront by facilitating hope and help in our community with a focus on reducing the many financial burdens that low-income families face.

Image of Founder of Glowing Hearts, Frank Nelson

Founder

Frank Nelson

June 3, 1956-December 8, 2017

TEAM

TESTIMONIALS

Testimonials

"I just wanted to touch base with you in regards to NAME's assessment and say thank you! The team at Lakeview were amazing. They were able to confirm and validate the things I have been seeing in NAME for so many years. To be told, I'm not crazy truly makes me feel sad yet relieved all at the same time.  I hope now, NAME can get the help she deserves through school. None of this would have been possible without you and the amazing things you are doing with Glowing Hearts. Know that you truly are an angel here on earth and helping others is truly your calling. Sending you a huge hug from NAME and I." -2024 parent of psychoeducational assessment

"I wanted to let you know that at our year-end meeting, the boys teachers have assessed them at grade level! (Very low end of it) but much better than a few years behind! Tara is a miracle worker! They have made tremendous progress and even the school said their reading levels went up quicker than normal"-parent

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"Glowing Hearts is best at identifying the true needs of families and addressing them, more actively and pragmatically than any other charity or support I've come across."

-community organization

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"Serving those who are really in need. Glowing Hearts is a frontline on the ground organization that truly serves the community." -community organization​

“Thank you so much for funding this amazing opportunity for families. Accessing social services has become extremely difficult over the past few years, with severely backed up wait lists, not to mention the huge financial barrier for many families. I am thanking you not just for my own family, but for every child and family who needs and deserves access to counselling and support. The need for access to these supports is greater than ever due to the mental health toll that covid has had on all of us, especially our children. Bless you for supporting families in your community.”

-parent of a child who received counselling

Donors

Our success in helping the children and youth vulnerable to poverty has been made possible thanks to people just like you. With your generous contribution, no matter how great or small, we are able to truly make a difference. We are grateful for any help you can provide, and guarantee it will change lives for the better.

2024 DONOR WALL

GLOWING HEARTS CHARITY EXTENDS A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CHAMPIONS OF CHILDREN & YOUTH IN SIMCOE COUNTY

PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE

Grant Thornton Foundation

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SCHOLAR

AlectraCares

Barrie Colts Foundation

Barrie Legion 147

​William Coleman

Grant Thornton

Jack Garner Foundation

​Kempenfelt Rotary Club

RBC Foundation & Community Fund

​Rotary Club of Barrie

Starbucks Foundation Charitable Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation

 

GRADUATE

Anonymous (1)

24 Good Deeds

​Divya Awasthi

Shelley Black-Mortgage Alliance Customized Mortgage Strategies

Busch Systems

​Domenic D'Addio

Ecclesiastical Insurance

Flynn Canada Ltd – Barrie

NFP Canada Corp.

​Peloton Capital Management

Penetanguishene Lions Club

Starbucks Foundation

Tyler Prescott

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HONOURS

Anonymous (5)

Advocis

John Ewen

Krishna Karki

Metro 178 (in memory of Anthony Perkins)

Modern Music Barrie

Carrissa Sadowski

Simcoe IT Solutions

Trish Beesley Photography

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DONORS

Anonymous (39)

Anonymous (in memory of Tony Perkins)

Anonymous (in memory of Kathryn “Kate” Parsons)

Chris Allen

Frank Astri

Attitude Print

Jessica Avery

Mary Ann Barlow (in memory of Tony Perkins)

In Memory of Susanne Bennett

Annette Bourassa

Stephanie Brady, Assisting You Social

​Jennifer Burgin

Su Cadogan

Michelle Castano

​Tom Coon

Sharon Clarke

Donna Cochrane

Danaj Family

Laura Facca

Tracy Fernandes (in memory of Tony Perkins)

Don Fleming

Elizabeth Fornasier

Jeff Garner in honour of Brian Sullivan

Christine Gauthier

Jennifer Gignac

Karen H.

Peter Hayden

Lisa Hutchinson

Roberta Hochman

Bruce MacGillivray - Instant Imprints Barrie

Keith Lindsay

Kempenfelt Windows & Doors

Andrew MacAdam

Pam McCloskey

Dalton McGugan (in memory of Tony Perkins)

​Samual McKee (in memory of Tony Perkins)

Doug McKenzie (in memory of Tony Perkins)

Newman Accounting

Richard Newton

Maria Nicoletti

Paula Oake (in memory of Tony Perkins)

Peter Pereira (in memory of Tony Perkins)

Paul Perkins (in memory of Tony Perkins)

Joanne Potts (in memory of Carrie Nesbitt who loved music, especially children’s choirs)

Kim Redmond

Lee Rinkoff

Errol Rowe (in memory of Tony Perkins)

Rachel S.

Oneib Saeed

Stephanie Simpson

In Honour of the Staff at Steele Street Public School

Dave Stewart

Nancy & Craig Truscott

Phil von Kaufmann

Western Financial Group

Catharine Webster in honour of Isla and Archer

Jenn Williams

​Gisele Winton Sarvis

2023 DONOR WALL

PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE

Apotex Inc.

GCBB Auto Ltd O/A Georgian Chevrolet Buick GMC

Metropolitan Toronto Shinglers in memory of Stanley Shewell

Ripple of Kindness Barrie

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SCHOLAR

Anonymous (1)

Barrie Colts Foundation

CIBC Mellon​

Manulife

Pavlik Foundation

Rotary Club of Barrie

Well-Being Canada

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GRADUATE

Anonymous (2)

Canada Protection Plan, a Foresters Financial Company

The Cutting Edge Salon & Spa

Divya Awasthi

Domenic D'Addio Realty Inc.

Gateway Casinos Innisfil through the GatewayGives program

Hydro One Forestry

Jack Garner Foundation

James A. Burton & Family Foundation

Kempenfelt Rotary Club

KIS Technologies

Meridian Bayfield Branch

Midland Canadian Tire

Midland Lions Club

Noble

North Barrie Market Wing Night Guys

Rotary Club of Wasaga Beach

RTOERO District 17

Sam Sorbara Charitable Foundation in honour of Steven Robertson

Tyler's Tree Services

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HONOURS

Anonymous (5)

Advocis Simcoe Muskoka

Assisting You Social

Judy Cathcart

Dollarama

In honour of an unknown homeless women

Innovative Automation Inc.

iSO Design

Krazy Binz Barrie

Lakeview Psychology

Monica Goodfellow

Jeannie Mills

Rob Newman

Penetanguishene Lions Club

Rotary Club of Orillia

Simcoe County Elementary Teachers' Federation

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DONORS

Anonymous (26)

Advantage HR

Accounting Essentials Plus

Robin Baird

Bruce MacGillivray Instant Imprint

Bulldog Property Management Group

Stephanie Brady, Assisting You Social

Anna Candelino (in support of Vince & family from Maple Grove P.S. staff)

Janice Coutts

Jenn Belbeck-Cragg

Crystal Benjafield

Su Cadogan

Mike Campbell

Samantha Cave

Jennifer Cheesman

Tom Coon
Copeland Creek Community

Lisa Creighton

Judit DellAnno & Lisa Hutchinson

Rick Earhart Western Financial Group

Ellie (in grade 2)

Exceptional Touch Cleaning

Sarah Fleming

Jeff & Marilyn Garner

Global Payments

Louise Gravelle & Lee Miller

Laurena Green

Green/Clarke family & friends

Danny Gregoric

Adam Grose

 Janice Stone Life Coach

Jessica Hendriks

Jennifer Ives

Joe's No Frills

Robert Johnston

Wendy Keegan

Aaron & Jennifer Kell

Joan Kennedy

Sylvie Labrosse

Eileen Leversedge

MA Customized Mortgage Strategies

Mike Holmes Inspections - Simcoe County

Annelise Mota

Kai O'Brien

Stephanie Pellow

Lindsay Percy

Newman Accounting Professional Corporation

Nouvelle Alliance Religion Class Students: 

Megann Nkenglack, Mya Cartwright, Emma Jacques

Darryl Paul

John & Margaret Potts (in honour of Joanne Potts & the Simcoe Youth Choir)

Rob Newman Sr.

Simcoe IT Solutions

Brett Restemayer

Steve & Maxine Robertson

Amanda Roes in memory of Steve Slaughter

Cheryle Russell

Mallory Steele

Tayler Insurance & Estate Planning

Trish Beesley Photography

Phil von Kaufmann

Land Acknowledgement

Land Acknowledgement

Glowing Hearts Charity acknowledges that we are situated on the traditional land of the Anishinaabeg, many of whom continue to live and work here today. The Anishinaabeg include the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. It should be noted that the Wendat and the Haudenosaunee Nations have also walked on this territory over time. We acknowledge and reflect upon the impact of the ongoing history of colonialism endured by the Indigenous People of Turtle Island. Today this land is home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples and by recognizing this we are reminded that our lives are enriched and strengthened by the stewardship and friendship of Indigenous people. We reflect upon and honour the cultural traditions and truth of their history, and are committed to ongoing learning, building positive relationships, and amplifying the voices of Indigenous peoples.

Governance
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