Together We Rise: How Grey County’s Community Response Is Making Real Change

Across Bruce Grey and Grey County, something remarkable is unfolding. In the face of intertwined challenges — from the opioid crisis to homelessness — local partners, frontline workers, and residents are forging a new path forward. The results aren’t just numbers on a page; they’re lives saved, trust rebuilt, and hope rekindled.

We’ve put three great Grey County news stories together to highlight real positive changes.

1. A Steep Decline in Opioid Harm — A Sign of What Partnership Can Achieve

In 2025, Grey County saw a dramatic decrease in opioid-related harm: a 72% drop in opioid-related deaths compared to the year before, and a 61% decrease in suspected opioid overdoses.

This isn’t luck. It’s the product of wraparound, locally-driven support systems that meet people where they are. At the heart of this effort is collaboration — health care providers, public health teams, social services, municipalities, non-profits and grassroots responders working as one coordinated system.

These outcomes reflect the power of relationship-based care, where individuals aren’t just counted as data points but supported with dignity and continuity — from harm reduction to longer-term recovery pathways.

2. Supportive Outreach Services (SOS): Beyond a Van, a Bridge to Care

The SOS program continues to be a beacon of care and connection. United Way of Bruce Grey proudly partners with this initiative, which brings crucial services directly into community spaces where traditional service access has historically been limited.

Recently, the SOS team added a new mobile clinic van — a safe, private, and welcoming space designed to deliver:

• medical care
• mental health support and counselling
• harm reduction education and supplies
• drug checking and addiction medicine
• housing navigation help
• basic needs support (food, hygiene, clothing)

All delivered without barriers and without judgment.

This van isn’t just wheels and seats — it’s an extension of trust, enabling teams to connect meaningfully with people in downtown cores, rural roadsides, and encampments alike.

3. A Holistic Fight Against Homelessness: Stability Through Shelter and Support

Homelessness across Ontario has climbed, with increases in demand for housing and supports. But in Grey County, local efforts have helped keep things relatively stable even amid provincial challenges — including:

• 143 households moved into housing opportunities
• Short-term emergency housing supporting hundreds of households
• Coordinated community networks linking people to long-term supports

These efforts reflect a community that refuses to let people fall through the cracks, even as regional needs grow.

The SOS program itself has delivered over 12,000 services to people experiencing homelessness or housing instability since 2021 — reinforcing that mobile, compassionate care is a cornerstone of community wellbeing.

4. Why This Progress Matters — and What’s Ahead

At United Way of Bruce Grey, we know that meaningful change doesn’t happen in silos. It takes countless hours of collaboration between healthcare workers, volunteers, municipal teams, emergency responders, social service providers, and people with lived experience.

Our region’s progress shows that when communities invest in trust-building, wraparound supports, and equitable access to care, we can bend the arc toward health and stability.

Yet, the journey isn’t over. Substances in the unregulated market continue to evolve, housing waitlists grow, and the systemic roots of poverty persist. We embrace these realities not with resignation, but with renewed commitment to collective action.

Thank You for Being Part of the Change

Progress in Grey County reflects your involvement, whether through volunteering, funding services, advocating for policy, or simply showing up for your neighbours.

Together, we are building a community where every person has access to care, stability, and dignity. 🧡