Discover how we’re helping individuals & Family Caregivers thrive
CALL: (705) 746-5102 | EMAIL US: [email protected]
Independence, Dignity,
& Quality of Life
We are The Friends… Supporting those with Long Term Health Care Needs (commonly known as “The Friends”) We are a vital, community-based, charitable nonprofit organization supporting both seniors and adults with disabilities across rural Ontario’s Muskoka and Parry Sound regions.
Operating within the unique challenges and opportunities of rural healthcare delivery, our organization provides essential services that enable vulnerable individuals to maintain independence and dignity in their own communities.
Mission
The Friends is a not for profit organization that provides Supportive programs andservices that promote optimal health, independence, quality of life and community integration.
Vision
Our Values
Dignity
Empowerment
Innovation
Teamwork
Our Story
The Friends began in 1983 with a simple belief. People thrive when they can remain in their own communities, surrounded by familiar routines and supportive neighbors. What started as a local initiative has grown into a trusted non-profit organization, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, that serves hundreds of individuals every year.
Our early years included building a barrier-free housing complex that continues to meet community needs today. As local demand grew, so did our commitment. We expanded our services to offer home care for seniors, accessible housing, and a range of senior home health care services that reflect the changing needs of the people we support.
Today, The Friends continues to be a steady presence across Parry Sound and Muskoka, providing care that feels close to home.
What We Do
We provide care and services that help people live confidently at home or in supportive environments.
We offer a wide range of supports designed to foster independence, comfort, and connection.
Our Journey
Our purpose has stayed the same. We help people live safely, confidently, and independently in the place they call home.
Land Acknowledgement
As we provide care and support within communities across the Districts of Muskoka and Parry Sound, we respectfully acknowledge that this work takes place on the traditional territory of the the Anishinaabeg peoples, including the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations, known collectively as the Three Fires Confederacy.
These lands are covered by the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850 and the Williams Treaties of 1923, and remain home to many First Nations communities, including: Wasauksing, Shawanaga, Magnetawan, Dokis, and Henvey Inlet First Nations, as well as Moose Deer Point First Nation, Wahta Mohawks First Nation, and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.
We recognize that this region has long been a place of gathering, healing, and connection – lands and waters that have sustained Indigenous peoples since time immemorial and continue to do so today. We offer our deepest respect and gratitude to the Elders, knowledge keepers, and community leaders – past, present, and emerging—whose wisdom, teachings, and stewardship guide the care of this land and all who live upon it.
As an organization committed to supporting individuals with long-term health care needs, caregivers, and seniors, we honour the values of care, dignity, and community that are deeply rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being. We are committed to listening, learning, and taking meaningful action toward reconciliation in the way we serve and support our communities.
We honour all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples and are grateful for the opportunity to live, work, and provide care on this land. This acknowledgement is one part of our ongoing commitment to respectful, inclusive, and culturally informed care.
Our Team
Our team is made up of dedicated caregivers, personal support workers, volunteers, and leaders who share one purpose: helping individuals live well at home and in the community. We value compassion, collaboration, and professionalism in everything we do.
Board of Directors
Leadership that puts people first: The Friends is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors committed to transparency, community stewardship, and organizational excellence.
Ida Doubrough
Chair
Thomas Smith
Vice Chair
Caryn Farnsworth
Board Member
Marilyn Beaucage
Board Member
Lynelle Hamilton
Board Member
Picture yourself here?
Board Member
The Friends’ is actively seeking to fill a vacant Board position, if you are interested, please contact us.
Support that begins with a conversation
Whether you are exploring services for yourself or someone you care about, our team is ready to listen, answer questions, and guide you toward the support that feels right.
Your Rights Matter
At The Friends, we are committed to delivering community services that are respectful, person-centered, and grounded in dignity and choice. The Bill of Rights outlines the protections and entitlements of every individual we serve—ensuring you are treated with respect, involved in decisions about your care, and supported in a way that honours your unique needs and preferences.
We encourage you to review your rights below to better understand the standards we uphold and the commitments we make to you.
Multi-Sector Service Accountability Agreement (MSAA)
The Friends receives funding from the Province of Ontario through Ontario Health to support services and programs in our community. As part of this funding, we enter into a Multi-Sector Service Accountability Agreement (MSAA) that outlines our responsibilities, performance expectations, and reporting requirements.
In keeping with provincial transparency and accountability requirements, a copy of our current MSAA is available below.
Discover how we’re helping seniors thrive at home.