Stories to Share

Staying Connected, Thanks to You!

Posted on: December 18th, 2020

For Dulce, being able to stay connected during COVID-19 has been a lifeline for her family. Dulce, a wife and mother of two young children, moved to Canada two years ago from Mexico, and was just starting to get to know people in the Kingsdale community by volunteering at the Neighbourhood Food Distribution program. “That […]

Thank God for You!

Posted on: December 4th, 2020

I didn’t think it would ever come to this. I was sitting in the dark on the curb outside House of Friendship’s Shelter. It was a cold fall night, and I was waiting for a bed. I had nowhere else to go. I was tired, and I was scared, and I had one thought running […]

I Learned to Give Back in My Childhood

Posted on: November 27th, 2020

Anna Mae Steinman grew up as part of a strongly connected community. As a young Amish girl, Anna Mae was always surrounded by loved ones. She had cousins to play “house” with – often with the cousins themselves serving as “dolls.” Her aging grandfather, rather than moving to a nursing home, was cared for at […]

You Can Help Fight Homelessness!

Posted on: November 12th, 2020

There’s a way that you can join the fight against homelessness – and share your compassion with your neighbours! By purchasing a lawn sign from Hockey Helps the Homeless Waterloo Region, not only will you be paying for one bed night at a local shelter, you will also be showing just how much you care […]

I’m Just So Thankful For You

Posted on: November 11th, 2020

For Doug, being able to get food from House of Friendship’s Emergency Food Hampers program has helped him make ends meet as a single father. It makes that much more of a difference during the holiday season. “If it wasn’t for the Christmas Hampers, I wouldn’t have been able to celebrate Christmas with my daughter,” […]

ShelterCare is Working!

Posted on: October 24th, 2020

At Sweet Beginnings, we shared how Shelter is being transformed through the ShelterCare model. We have seen incredible results that have captured national attention: overdoses reduced by 50%, 75% reduction in EMS calls, and 56 men housed in six month! ShelterCare is working! With integrated health-care and other supports, men have become healthier and housing […]

Join Us Tomorrow for Sweet Beginnings!

Posted on: October 23rd, 2020

You’ve heard the highlights in local media – now we want to share with you the inside scoop on why ShelterCare is now getting National attention! We are learning so much every single day. It’s now clear that ShelterCare can be the triage for those who are homeless and help individuals exit the cycle of […]

ShelterCare Vision to Continue at New Location

Posted on: September 30th, 2020

For Immediate Release As part of a comprehensive Waterloo Region plan to address the challenge of homelessness in our community, House of Friendship is pleased to announce it will continue to provide its ShelterCare vision – integrated health care and shelter services – at a new location: the Tower at the Inn of Waterloo (475 […]

A Legacy of Giving

Posted on: September 25th, 2020

For Shelley Holmes, giving back is part of her heritage. Shelley, who has served at House of Friendship for more than 27 years, grew up in a family that made sure that others had what they needed. “I always remembered what my mom used to tell me: if you’re living, breathing and you’ve got enough […]

You Helped Children Stay Connected This Summer!

Posted on: September 22nd, 2020

It wasn’t a typical summer for children in Waterloo Region – but camp still happened for many of them, thanks to you! While camp this year looked a little different, children living in low-income neighbourhoods still had the chance to connect, to learn, and grow through an innovative mix of in-person and virtual camp sessions […]