News

A Family Affair

Posted on: August 21st, 2026

Bethany Galbraith has a long history with House of Friendship. Her entire family does. “My brother, Matt, was a student at House of Friendship in 2006, so that introduced me to the Emergency Food Hamper program,” said Bethany. That initial connection led to Bethany’s college placement at House of Friendship. It wasn’t long before the […]

They Help Everybody

Posted on: August 19th, 2026

“They Help Everybody!” In 2019, Zineb and her family arrived in Canada after spending 10 years in the United States. They had left Libya in 2008, so Zineb’s husband could study for a PhD in Chemistry, on a scholarship. When his studies ended, they could no longer stay in the U.S. They decided to move […]

Friendship Dinner 2026: Welcome Home

Posted on: August 12th, 2026

Registration is now open for Friendship Dinner 2026: Welcome Home.

Join us on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Bingemans Conference Centre, Marshall Hall, for an inspiring evening of community, storytelling, and impact.

Finding a Community

Posted on: August 12th, 2026

“It’s not easy being all alone,” said Joy. “I’m glad I found House of Friendship.” Joy came to Canada 23 months ago as a refugee from Nigeria. “I had to run for my life,” said Joy. “I had to leave my family behind.” Joy volunteers weekly at one of House of Friendship’s Neighbourhood Food Programs, […]

What We’re Called to Do

Posted on: August 5th, 2026

There is a church in downtown Kitchener that is making a difference in addressing the problem of homelessness. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church has been part of the Kitchener-Waterloo community since 1854. For more than 170 years, this faithful congregation has had an impact on the world outside its doors through humble ministry, with a special […]

Providing a Safe Space

Posted on: July 30th, 2026

Melina has a very personal reason for the work she does. As Integration Lead at Hospice Waterloo Region, Melina works to provide support to men in House of Friendship’s ShelterCare program who are struggling with the grief that comes with losing a loved one to an overdose.  And Melina can provide that support to others […]

Providing Support Where it Matters

Posted on: July 17th, 2026

Every day, members of the HART Hub Waterloo Region (HHWR) Outreach Team walk alongside community members experiencing homelessness, mental health and substance use challenges, meeting people where they are, and connecting them with trusted providers of care and supports across the Region.  House of Friendship team members include addiction counsellors and ‘connection coordinators’ who help […]

Everyone Deserves the Chance to Break Free

Posted on: July 10th, 2026

“Right now, I am five months and 18 days gamble-free. I think that’s probably the longest I’ve gone.” For Lori, her struggle with online gambling started in 2022 with a small, $20 bet on an Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation website. It didn’t take long for her gambling to spiral out of control. “It was […]

Strawberry Social 2026: Building a Village That Lasts

Posted on: June 23rd, 2026

Strawberry Social 2026: Building a Village That Lasts On June 16, 2026, our community gathered once again for a tradition that has grown into something much greater than an Annual General Meeting.  House of Friendship’s Strawberry Social is a moment to pause, reflect, connect, and celebrate what we are building together.  This year’s theme, “Building a Village – A Community […]

Get Ready for Friendship Village

Posted on: June 22nd, 2026

In a few short months, people in our community will leave homelessness behind by moving into Friendship Village! The first phase of this project, still under construction in downtown Kitchener, will provide housing and healthcare supports for 100 residents, providing a new pathway out of homelessness for people in our community. A second, later phase, […]