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History

House of Friendship was founded in 1939 by local Christian churches and was originally located on King Street in downtown Kitchener. It had a reading room, a dining room and emergency food assistance. The founding director was Joseph Cramer, a Jewish Christian immigrant who came from Russia via the US. This mission was a response of the local Christian community to the physical and spiritual needs of immigrants and disadvantaged individuals regardless of race or creed in the volatile era of the late 1930's.

Over the years through the efforts of many volunteers and staff House of Friendship has served thousands of low-income people and has become a vital part of the social service network of the Region of Waterloo. Presently, the agency serves over 32,500 women, men, youth and children annually. Program areas include addiction services, community services, family services and residential services.

Two books have been written documenting the history and services of the agency. A Mighty Flood: The House of Friendship Story by Ferne Burkhardt was published in 1989. It is available in public, school and church libraries in Waterloo Region. Friend to Friend: Stories and Photos from House of Friendship was published in 1999. Copies of Friend to Friend are available free of charge from our office.