Barb poses in front of a mural at Chandler Mowat Community Centre, where House of Friendship’s Neighbourhoods work had its start.
In 1986, Barb started knocking on doors in the Chandler Mowat community to see how she could
support families living on low income. She did this because she was compelled to change the odds for a community plagued by poverty, crime and drug use.
The first person she reached was a young single mother, who cried when Barb knocked on her door and asked how she could help. It was the first time in a long time that anyone had asked that question. The help Barb gave was simple – she taught the young woman how to bake muffins and cookies for her children, something she had never learned herself.
It was a simple, yet fitting, beginning to House of Friendship’s Neighbourhoods work which now reaches nearly 14,000 family members every year throughout Waterloo Region, whether through our Family Outreach Program (www.familyoutreach.ca), four community centres (including Chandler Mowat), or our Summer Camp Sponsorship Program.
Barb has always had a passion for children and helping those in difficult circumstances. Her friendship with a young boy who was growing up in a house struggling with addiction and poverty made her aware of how great the problem was.
She received a grant from the Westmount Rotary Club so she could do more. The service club needed to channel the donation through a non-profit organization, so House of Friendship came on board.
Barb also involved the church community and created a range of programs to benefit children and their families – whether it was the “Adopt-A-Grandchild” program or after-school homework help, everything was aimed at providing the support that was needed, when it was needed.
“I strongly believe that if a child has one positive adult in their life, they will succeed.” Barb remains connected with many of the children she once helped – many of whom have gone on to succeed in life, whether as teachers, athletes or as parents. “There’s just so many success stories. It feels good to be a part of that.”
