Stories to Share

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 […]

Today, we welcomed Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, to our Men’s Residential Addiction Treatment Centre in Cambridge, where he announced an incredible $90-million investment in addiction treatment throughout the province of Ontario! As part of that $90 million, House of Friendship will receive $584,000 over the next three years, allowing us […]

On Jan. 12, Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris, on behalf of the Province of Ontario, announced $8.5 million in capital funding towards House of Friendship’s purchase of 190 Weber St. N., the former Comfort Inn. This purchase will provide some long-term stability to House of Friendship’s ShelterCare program. Read the official media release here.

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 […]

MEDIA RELEASE For the past 19 years, the Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club has worked together to raise more than $4 million as part of its annual Rotary Turkey Drive, ensuring that every family can enjoy a special holiday meal through House of Friendship’s Christmas Hamper program. This year, the need is greater than ever before, with […]

I thought I was going to die. And I think I came very close. On that bitterly cold winter night, 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 corner. Somehow, I staggered […]

House of Friendship Working with Region of Waterloo to Place All Shelter Participants by Dec. 1. Since announcing the upcoming temporary closure of its shelter program effective Nov. 30, House of Friendship has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of community care and support. “It has been encouraging to hear from so many people who have […]

We have heard from so many caring people like you reacting to the news of our temporary shelter closure. Many of you are asking how you can help – thank you! Here are a few ways you can lend your support as we continue to work with our community partners as this situation evolves: Become […]