Executive Director John Neufeld announces the completion of the Close to Home capital campaign, and highlights additional plans for the men’s residential addiction treatment facility in Cambridge.
Thank you, Waterloo Region!
Because of you, men and women seeking freedom from their addictions will be able to receive the treatment they need, at a treatment facility that provides greater dignity with expanded programming and access.
At this year’s Annual General Meeting, held on Tuesday, June 19, House of Friendship Executive Director John Neufeld was thrilled to celebrate the generosity of this community, when he announced that $3 million for the Close to Home capital campaign had been raised.
The project will see the transformation of 562 Concession Road in Cambridge into a new facility that will provide residential addiction treatment for men, as well as day treatment programs for men and women throughout Waterloo Region.
“Thank you for responding to this need and transforming the way addiction treatment is provided in this Region,” said Neufeld. “Each and every gift made this possible!”
Neufeld also announced new plans for the facility in Cambridge. With an eye to be available as future needs arise, House of Friendship was inspired to take a second look at the original plans.
“This Spring, before we started renovations, we quickly realized that we had to dream bigger! Given the growing need, we realized that our current renovation plans would leave this new facility fully utilized upon opening, without room to expand services in the future as needs and funding permitted. After much careful discussion and due diligence, we are pleased to invite you into a larger vision as we expand the renovation plans and add a second floor!”
House of Friendship plans to fund the new project through Social Impact Investing, a complementary tool that community- and socially- minded individuals and institutions can use as a way to create a greater social impact in their communities. To learn more about the Close to Home project, please visit our project page here.
The evening included an inspiring message “How Hunger Shapes a Community,” shared by Wendi Campbell, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, and Waterloo Fire Rescue Chief Richard Hepditch, as well as recognizing this year’s Buhr Legacy honorees, the Kitchener Conestoga Rotary Club, representing all service clubs and organizations and the valuable work they do in the community.
Keith Wagler, who has served for 34 years in the Appliance Repair Program, was honoured at the AGM prior to his coming retirement.
A new Board of Directors was also elected at the AGM.
The evening concluded with a strawberry social, with strawberries graciously provided by Herrle’s Country Market.
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