New Community Hub Now Open, Featuring Safe Centre of Peel Expansion

MISSISSAUGA, ON (December 5, 2025) – A new community hub launched today in the Peel Children’s Aid Society (Peel CAS) building at 25 Capston Dr., Mississauga. The building, renamed “The Circle: Peel Centre for Child, Youth and Family Well-Being,” will house multiple service providers, including the newly expanded Safe Centre of Peel’s Mississauga location.

The Safe Centre of Peel’s expansion is made possible by the Ontario government’s $98 million commitment to launch up to 85 initiatives province-wide, advancing its four-year action plan to combat gender-based violence. The opening marks a significant step forward in improving access to critical supports for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and families across Peel Region. Mississauga Malton MPP Deepak Anand provided remarks to honour the receipt of an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant to develop Safe Centre’s charter, partnership agreements, polices and procedures.

Other community partners moving into The Circle include Peel Regional Police, Aboriginal Legal Services, Our Place Peel, and nCourage. All of these agencies share a commitment to supporting the safety and well-being of children, youth and families in Peel Region.

By bringing all these services under one roof, The Circle marks a new chapter of partnership, prevention, and collaboration. The central purpose of co-locating services at The Circle is to make it easier for children, youth, and families to access supports quickly and seamlessly. Having key organizations together in one building removes barriers and allows families to receive coordinated help without navigating multiple systems on their own.

The renaming of the building was co-developed with youth receiving Peel CAS service and reviewed together with Indigenous leaders. The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation provided the Ojibwe translation for The Circle, “Waawiyebii'igan,” symbolizing unity, harmony, and interconnectedness. The name also reflects the organization’s holistic wraparound service models and ongoing commitment to collaboration, equity, inclusion, and Truth and Reconciliation.

Quick Facts

•  Over 60% of female homicides in Canada are due to family violence ( StatsCan 2022)

•  In 2021, Peel Regional Police launched a centralized unit to strengthen supports for victims and survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Today, the IPV Unit has 79 officers, making it the largest in Canada and a model for other jurisdictions.

•  Intimate partner violence (IPV) was declared endemic in Ontario in 2025. Safe Centre of Peel is at the forefront of this crisis.

•  In 2024-2025, Safe Centre received 1,807 referrals into the model.

•  In 2024-25 Peel CAS received 12,650 referrals with 31% related to intimate partner violence

•  In 2024-25, Peel CAS identified 166 cases where a child or youth is suspected of being involved in trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation

Quotes

“We’re not just treating symptoms, we’re reshaping systems. Our goal is simple, to make it easier for families to find the help they need, when and where they need it. We are continuing to shift from a focus on protection alone to one rooted in prevention, cultural competency, and wraparound community-led support.” – Mary Beth Moellenkamp, CEO, Peel CAS

“Expanding our services into Mississauga has been urgently needed. Co-locating at The Circle allows us to offer survivors of intimate partner violence a safe, welcoming, and accessible place to receive coordinated supports close to home.” – Sharon Mayne, CEO, Catholic Family Services of Peel Dufferin and lead agency for Safe Centre of Peel

"Family and intimate partner violence remains a significant priority for our service and our community. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible to better protect and support victims and survivors. Expansion of the Safe Centre of Peel into a Mississauga location will save lives by helping survivors get the right supports, from the right people, at the right time.” - Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police

Additional Resources

Funding Announcement for Safe Centre of Peel Expansion

Safe Centre of Peel Announces New Mississauga Location

Ontario’s action plan to end gender-based violence: Investing in communities

About The Ontario Trillium Foundation

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

-30-

Media Contacts: