Introducing the Gilbert Centre

The Gilbert Centre for Social and Support Services is a community-based charitable organization serving Simcoe Muskoka through education, advocacy, health services, harm reduction, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ programming.

We support people living with or at risk of acquiring HIV and Hep C, people who use drugs, 2S-LGBTQIA+ communities, and those who experience stigma, discrimination, isolation, and barriers to care.

Our work is grounded in dignity, health equity, human rights, harm reduction, and the belief that people and communities should shape the services that affect their lives.

The Gilbert Centre is a hub for support, connection, education, and systems change. We walk alongside people and communities, not as rescuers, but as allies. We recognize the strength, expertise, leadership, and lived experience within the communities we serve.

Our team provides low-barrier, non-judgmental services that support well-being, inclusion, and access to care. We work across Simcoe Muskoka with individuals, families, community partners, health and social service providers, funders, donors, and allies to build safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

Our Mission & Vision

Mission

Enhances well-being and inclusion through education, advocacy, health services, harm reduction, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ programming - supporting people living with or at risk of acquiring HIV & Hep C.

Vision

A safe, healthy, and inclusive community where everyone feels seen, belongs, and thrives.

Values & Principles

Hope

Model and inspire hope wherever possible

Compassion 

Act with compassion grounded in our shared humanity

Autonomy

Empower others by honouring their autonomy in every moment

Courage

Use courage and curiosity to embrace change

What We Do

The Gilbert Centre provides programs and services across several connected areas of work.

Health Programs

We provide HIV, Hep C, STBBI, and sexual health services, including testing, treatment support, care navigation, clinical services, and connection to ongoing health and social supports.

Community Programs

We provide low-barrier supports, harm reduction services, outreach, peer connection, and affirming programming for 2S-LGBTQIA+ communities across Simcoe Muskoka.

Safer Spaces

Safer Spaces is a social enterprise of the Gilbert Centre that provides training and consultation to help organizations create safer, more inclusive environments for 2S-LGBTQIA+ communities.

Our History & Who We Serve

Our History

The Gilbert Centre was incorporated in 1995 as the AIDS Committee of Simcoe County. The organization was created in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis and the need for local support, advocacy, education, and care for people living with and affected by HIV.

In 2015, the organization was renamed the Gilbert Centre for Social and Support Services in honour of founder Ed Gilbert. The name change reflected both our continued commitment to people living with HIV and the evolution of our work to include broader health, social support, harm reduction, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ programming.

Today, the Gilbert Centre continues to honour its 30+ year legacy while responding to changing community needs. HIV has changed significantly over time, but stigma, discrimination, and barriers to dignified testing, treatment, and care remain. At the same time, the communities we serve continue to face growing needs related to health equity, inclusion, harm reduction, and access to support across Simcoe Muskoka.

Who We Serve

We support people and communities across Simcoe Muskoka, including:

- people living with HIV;
- people living with or affected by Hep C;
- people at risk of acquiring HIV, Hep C, or STBBIs;
- people who use drugs;
- 2S-LGBTQIA+ youth, adults, families, and communities;
- gay, bisexual, queer, trans, and two-spirit men;
- people experiencing stigma, discrimination, isolation, poverty, or barriers to care;
- community partners, service providers, educators, and organizations seeking to build more inclusive and responsive services.

We know that people’s lives and identities are complex. Our work is guided by the understanding that health is shaped by social, economic, cultural, political, and systemic factors, including housing, income, access to care, racism, homophobia, transphobia, criminalization, stigma, and discrimination.