Oumar is in his second year of medical school at Queen’s University in Kingston, but he’s brought a little bit of House of Friendship with him. As a child, Oumar and his family arrived in Canada, leaving Iraq just days before the American invasion in 2003. They had to leave everything behind and start over. […]
“I’m not going to lie, I cry sometimes. I don’t cry in front of my kids, though,” Melissa Melissa has been looking for work for a year and feels like she’s running out of options. “I’m running out of money – and my baby bonus won’t pay my rent forever,” said Melissa. “I’m 40 years […]
Friendship Village is taking shape in downtown Kitchener, joining our current supportive and affordable housing buildings, Charles Village and Eby Village. We’re so excited to share with you an update on Friendship Village, our new Supportive Housing and Community Hub! The first phase of this new build, which will be home to 100 community members […]
For Jenny Harris, ShelterCare’s nurse, it’s often the small encounters with program participants that inspire her the most. “There’s something about these little moments,” said Jenny. “It’s when someone slowly knocks on the door and asks for help. Maybe their roommate said, ‘Go see her, she will try to help. “Then you might get a […]
Doug* never knew what it was like to be loved. *Name changed to preserve privacy. When he was a child, Doug remembers spending days on end in his basement, with only a black-and-white television for company. “My mother didn’t want me, and didn’t know how to take care of me,” said Doug. “Today, I would […]
Monika Wiesner still remembers the day when, in the early morning hours, she found a young woman asleep on the steps leading into a downtown church. “She appeared to be under the influence of something… and in trouble,” said Monika. As she tried to stand up, she began sliding down the steps. Monika stayed with […]
It took 11 days in jail for Bruce* to be able to leave alcohol behind. That, and House of Friendship’s Live-In Treatment program. “House of Friendship saved my life,” said Bruce. “I don’t know where I’d be without it.” Ever since Bruce’s first visit to a bar when he was 19, alcohol has been a […]
Every Thursday morning, Victoria Hills Community Centre fills with loud laughter and the aroma of a home-cooked meal. The Multicultural Cooking program is one of many Neighbourhood programs offered at House of Friendship. Each week, people come together to cook, laugh, and spend time with others in the community. For many, it’s more than just […]
Food, Fun and Fellowship, a weekly program at Sunnydale, wrapped up for the summer with a vibrant community potluck. Tables overflowed with homemade dishes from around the world, each one carrying the rich aromas, favorite flavors, and heartfelt stories of the people who made them. More than just a meal, it was a joyful way […]
House of Friendship has always been a part of Linda Kruger’s story. Her mother, Agnes Eby, served on the board at House of Friendship in the 1970s. As a young university student, Linda volunteered, and covered the desk during weekly staff meetings. Similarly, Linda’s husband Chuck learned about House of Friendship while growing up at […]
