Staff received socks in honour of the 80th anniversary of the organization – highlighting the “walk with” approach that is at the heart of the work of House of Friendship.
Staff at House of Friendship celebrated its 80th birthday in the best way possible – by spending it together as a community.
On Tuesday, Jan. 15, three separate celebrations were held throughout the day, with staff gathering to share stories, reflect on the past, and look towards the future.
The “House of Friendship For All Nations” started in 1939, when a women’s prayer group saw a need, and met it. They saw men who were struggling with hunger. The women couldn’t solve every problem, but they could solve this one, by feeding the men warm, home-cooked meals.
“This is where we came from all those years ago,” said John Neufeld, executive director of House of Friendship. “Just a couple of individuals coming around a table and serving these gentlemen, and here we are all those years later.”
Because of tremendous community support since its inception, House of Friendship has grown from its humble beginning to a multi-service charitable organization that serves 42,000 men, women and children every year, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless and providing community programming in low-income neighbourhoods and counselling and treatment for those struggling with addiction.
Staff enjoyed a special birthday cake, and also had the chance to watch a video, highlighting the many different ways their team members serve in the community throughout the year.
“Isn’t it awesome to think that while you are doing your thing, and I’m doing my thing, we’re all part of a much broader movement – every day, these awesome things are happening, and we don’t even know about it. It’s amazing and cool to be part of that.”
And while it is good to look at and honour the past, noted Neufeld, it is even better to have the chance to look to the future.
“What are they going to say about us in 80 years? That’s the exciting part. In some ways, I think we’re just getting started.”
Every team member received a pair of socks as part of the celebration – highlighting the ‘walk with”philosophy that is at the heart of the work that is done each and every day at House of Friendship.
