Stories to Share

Ralphy was tired of seeing his friends die. “I lost five friends in one week. It’s something that stays with you,” said Ralphy. He grew up in an abusive household, regularly receiving beatings that were so severe that he couldn’t sit down. Still, Ralphy didn’t turn to drugs until his stepfather was murdered by an […]

For Sue, Eby Village is more than a place to live; it’s a community. This makes it different from any other place she has called home. “People talk to each other and spend time together and help each other.” Built in 1990, Eby Village is one of House of Friendship’s supportive housing communities. Here, residents […]

Everything is costing more these days. Few people know this more than Michael. Every week, Michael, 66, visits Chandler Mowat Community Centre, to supplement his limited income with food at House of Friendship’s weekly food distribution program. He also finds many other ways to try and save money, whether it is collecting empty beer cans, […]

Since 2005, the Astley Family Foundation has followed its passion – funding programs that help youth grow and flourish, particularly youth who have to overcome the challenges of poverty. For Jennifer Astley, this means a focus on what can be the most significant and challenging time in a young person’s life – that awkward transition […]

Neighbours surrounding Sunnydale Community Centre gathered for a lively Eid al-Fitr celebration this past Saturday. Nearly 300 community members enjoyed the sunshine as they shared a barbecue, with halal meats provided by the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Almost a third of these attendees were young children, who enjoyed gifts that were prepared for them […]

It’s just a community garden, but it has meant so much more for Asma, Sabrina and Hana. These young ladies in the Sunnydale neighbourhood have learned how to overcome shyness, develop fun activities for younger children, and give back to a community that has always been there for them. They’ve become leaders. Hana had already […]

When Maryam fled Iran two years ago after facing persecution for not wearing her headscarf, she didn’t know just how challenging her life would become. Maryam and her children left so quickly that her husband was unable to join them – and he can’t come to Canada until she has permanent resident status, which could […]

Twenty-six years ago, John Lambert responded to a call from the pulpit to do more for those in need. John was so inspired by a sermon at his church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, that the very next weekend, he went out to ask for donations of potatoes for the House of Friendship at the Beechwood Zehrs […]

I thought I was going to die. And I think I came very close. On that bitterly cold winter night, two years ago,  I woke up on a hard sidewalk in downtown Kitchener.    I guess I had passed out. It’s the closest I had come yet to overdosing, to dying on a lonely street […]

For Jitendra, every day is a struggle. It hasn’t always been this way.  Until two years ago, he was working full-time as a general machinist at a Kitchener manufacturer, and making good money. He was able to make ends meet, and support his wife Lisa and their two children. Then tragedy struck. Lisa collapsed after […]