Partnerships honoured with Newcomer Landlord Award

Immigration Partnership Executive Director Tara Bedard, House of Friendship Executive Director John Neufeld, Kiwanis Club of Kitchener-Waterloo President Jan Alexanian, Reception House Executive Director Carl Cadogan, and Ana Luz Martinez, of Immigration Partnership, were on hand for the Newcomer Landlord Award on Nov. 16.

Partnerships were at the heart of the celebration that took place in Regional Council chambers on Nov. 16, when three agencies, including House of Friendship, were honoured for their commitment to supporting Syrian refugee families.

The Newcomer Landlord Award, shared equally by House of Friendship, Reception House  Waterloo Region and the Kiwanis Club of Kitchener-Waterloo, is presented annually to show how small landlords, large landlords and non-profit organizations are helping to create a caring community that supports newcomers.

The honour, presented by Immigration Partnership, came as a result of an innovative collaboration involving the three agencies.

The former Kiwanis House, originally gifted by the Kiwanis Club to House of Friendship, was no longer needed by House of Friendship. Reception House needed housing for arriving refugee families from war-torn Syria.

The Kiwanis Club helped with renovations to make the house feel more like a home, and allowed Reception House to use the home for arriving families. When it became apparent that Reception House had a need for the house on a permanent basis, House of Friendship then gifted the home to Reception House.

It was this partnership that was honoured on Nov. 16.

In addition to this honour, House of Friendship Housing Services Director Ron Flaming was recognized for his years of service on the Waterloo Region Community Housing Advisory Committee.

Numerous other awards were handed out in celebration of National Housing Day. For more information, visit the Region of Waterloo’s website.