Stories to Share

It all began with a hug. Susan had been through a lot. She had just left an emotionally abusive relationship, and was struggling. She had moved to Kitchener, with her only connection a family member. At 62 years of age and reeling from the drastic change her life had taken, Susan was unable to work. […]

Thank you! On Wednesday, July 11, more than 150 golfers joined together to Play with Purpose, helping support the Charles Street Men’s Shelter. It was a beautiful day on the links for golfers at Grand Valley Golf & Country Club and Doon Valley Golf Course. Golfers enjoyed a variety of fun activities, from chipping and […]

Matthew never expected that he could become homeless. It wasn’t part of the plan. Matthew shares his journey from homelessness to housing stability, with help from House of Friendship’s Charles Street Men’s Shelter.

Ali arrived in Canada with little more than the clothes on his back. In 2016, Ali and his family travelled from Colombia to Canada as refugees, making the journey across the Canadian-American border by foot. He, his wife and their two children each had a backpack. Everything else had been left behind. “It was very […]

Thank you, Waterloo Region! Because of you, men and women seeking freedom from their addictions will be able to receive the treatment they need, at a treatment facility that provides greater dignity with expanded programming and access. At this year’s Annual General Meeting, held on Tuesday, June 19, House of Friendship Executive Director John Neufeld […]

House of Friendship is pleased to now offer additional counselling services to the range of care that is already available through House of Friendship’s Addiction Treatment Services programs. As of June 1, 2018, House of Friendship offers counselling for individuals, families and groups with addiction or substance-use concerns, as well as problem gambling, internet use […]

We will be able to send 130 children to summer camp this year, thanks to you! Trek4Kids Hike and Bike 2018 saw more than 100 caring residents come together on Saturday, May 5, 2018 all united with one cause – sending children to week-long, overnight summer camp, an unattainable reality for many. The sunny day […]

As planned, the three-month Temporary Winter Overnight Drop-In Program wrapped up on April 30, 2018. Operated by House of Friendship staff and funded by the Region of Waterloo, this program was provided at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in downtown Kitchener. With funding until the end of April, this program allowed St. Matthews and House of […]

For 34 years, Keith Wagler has been the friendly face of House of Friendship’s Appliance Repair Program. Through this unique program (the only one of its kind in Canada), Keith has visited thousands of homes in Waterloo Region since 1984, helping families and individuals living on low income who would otherwise have no way to […]

House of Friendship and St. Mary’s General Hospital are pleased to announce a proposed plan to voluntarily integrate addiction counselling services. This proposal will be considered by the Waterloo-Wellington Local Integration Health Network (WWLHIN) at its regular board meeting on March 28, 2018. This voluntary integration will see addiction counselling services currently provided by St. […]