House of Friendship is a Christian non-profit human service agency that serves 32,500 women, men, youth and children living on low-income in Waterloo Region annually through 17 programs. Program areas include addiction services, community services, family services and residential services.
The mission of House of Friendship is to serve low-income adults, youth and children in need of support and to promote opportunities for personal growth, wholesome relationships and community development through the application of holistic Christian principles.
We rely on cash donations of over $775,000 each year to serve people in our community who are living on low incomes. You can be a partner in our mission through your donation. You can donate electronically through Canada Helps (click on "donate now" above) or by sending your donation to us at the address at the bottom of this page. We are a registered charity (#10749-3892-RR0001) and issue income tax receipts.
A recently released study prepared for the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) by Focus Consulting Inc is titled Housing as a Mechanism in Poverty Reduction Strategies: A Brief Review of International Experience and Implications for Ontario (January 2008). The study notes that "As the single largest expenditure in a household budget, housing costs crowd out other necessities and exacerbate an already inadequate income (housing induced poverty)."
One of the study's authors, Steve Pomeroy, spoke at National Housing Day celebrations at the Region of Waterloo on November 22, 2007. The theme of that event was "Everyone Deserves a Home." Pomeroy highlighted the study's finding that the provision of affordable housing is a primary poverty reduction strategy.
At House of Friendship we have learned from our experience that the provision of safe, affordable housing makes a big difference in a person's life. Our Eby Village supportive housing project opened in 1990 and provides housing to 64 single people. Due to its success, the Charles Villlage apartment building was opened in 2005.
Mary Cole (pictured above left) has been a tenant at Charles Village since the fall of 2005. Prior to that she lived in a boarding house because she could not afford her own place. "Living at Charles Village has been a good experience for me," Mary said. "I have the privacy of my own apartment but when I'm lonely I can go down to the activity room and be with other people. We have our own little community here."
Through supportive housing projects like Eby Village and Charles Village we are able to help single people living on a low income to improve their lives through better housing. Your donations help to make that possible. Thank you.
For more information on this story and other news see our March 2008 issue of Friendship News.
