Do you remember how hard you have to work to stay warm on the coldest days of winter? John does, because he lived in his car. John had a routine. He would light candles, put foam around every window, to keep the heat in, and then wear a snowsuit to bed. Even with all this […]
It’s the end of an era at House of Friendship, as demolition of the former home of its Men’s Shelter is slated to begin this month, along with neighbouring administrative buildings. This demolition of the former Charles Street campus in downtown Kitchener is the first step towards creating Friendship Village – a new housing complex […]
We want to share an important update regarding today’s Friendship Golf event. Due to heavy rain, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the golf portion of our annual tournament. Instead, we’re hosting a modified event that includes dinner, beginning at 4 pm and concluding by 6 pm at Beaverdale Golf Course. Attendees will […]
“I wish everyone had food.” Binny Musselman, a Grade 5 student, has always been troubled by how many people in our community don’t have enough to eat. She comes by it naturally – her grandparents, Betty and John Galbraith, regularly dedicate one day a week to volunteering at House of Friendship’s Emergency Food Hamper program. […]
“I think we all have a duty, a responsibility to the community we live in.” Brandon Strnad became a monthly donor at House of Friendship because of this belief – and because of the challenges he faced as a child. “I had a rough childhood,” said Brandon. “I could have turned out a lot differently.” […]
Joan* doesn’t know where she would be without House of Friendship. Every week, Joan receives food deliveries through the Kingsdale Neighbourhood Food program – delivered to her door because Joan is unable to pick it up herself. Joan has been living in Kitchener since 2016. She moved here suddenly after escaping horrific abuse. For a […]
Do you remember that feeling of not fitting in? Of not belonging? That’s what it was like for Oumar and his family, as newcomers to Canada. They arrived from Iraq in 2003, just days before the American invasion. They had to leave everything behind and start over. While Oumar was just a baby when he […]
Brent was no stranger to addiction. At 61, he had already enjoyed 26 years of sobriety as a recovering alcoholic. But when he was diagnosed with throat cancer and prescribed narcotics, Brent didn’t realize how dangerous that was. “I knew nothing about painkillers,” said Brent. “I had no idea.” Initially, the pills did what they […]
Brenda and her family will soon experience their first winter in Canada. When they first arrived, Brenda noticed that her children were struggling with making friends. They were also missing their life back home in Brazil. “The most important thing for us is that they can fit in here, even if they are homesick, that […]
When Jen sits down at Christmas with a holiday feast she has prepared for her family, she feels thankful. Thankful that, thanks to your support, she can provide something special for her children that one day of the year. “It’s a sense of relief. I’m here, my kids are here, and we’re together. I did […]
