Our History
Nearly 60 Years of Growth and Impact
From humble beginnings as a single live-in program helping men reintegrate from federal custody, SOAR Community Services has grown into a leading social impact agency serving Brantford and surrounding communities. Today, we deliver a broad range of programs in substance use and mental health, housing and homelessness, employment and skills development, and justice services. With support from multiple funders and partners, we served more than 11,000 individuals last fiscal year, reflecting our deep and growing impact.
In recent years, SOAR has significantly expanded its capacity to meet growing and more complex community needs. We introduced Emergency Shelter Intake, the central access point for all shelter beds in Brantford and Brant, and launched the Housing Resource Centre to help individuals and families secure permanent housing. Employment Services introduced a Disability Employment program in Brantford, enhancing our ability to support individuals with unique barriers to work. Our partnership with Child and Family Services of Grand Erie led to the opening of George House, a five-bed live-in program for youth in care. We also transformed substance use services - moving from zero local beds to 28 Withdrawal Management and Treatment beds between 2019 and 2022 - providing critical support for individuals seeking recovery. These initiatives reflect SOAR’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and evidence-informed care.
From St. Leonard’s to SOAR
In 2024, St. Leonard’s Community Services became SOAR Community Services, a name that better reflects our evolution and commitment to empowerment, growth, and positive change. SOAR stands for Support, Opportunity, Achieve, Resilience – words that reflect our organizational purpose of helping people achieve new heights.
Looking Ahead
As community needs evolve, SOAR remains dedicated to expanding programs, forging partnerships, and delivering services that empower individuals and families to thrive. Building on nearly six decades of service, we will continue to strengthen our community and create opportunities for lasting change.