In her summer job at Lutherwood, Manuela derives joy from offering support to her community, mirroring the assistance her family received from Lutherwood when they needed it most. At just eight-years-old, Manuela and her family fled Ecuador for a chance at a better life in Canada, where they were warmly received by several community services, including Lutherwood, and set on a path to success.

Meet Vinny Vinelli, a dedicated teacher by day and a hilarious comedian by night! In his recent comedy performance, “Little Theatre BIG Comedy Show,” Vinny was inspired to make a meaningful contribution to his community. Upon discovering that some of his students had received invaluable support from Lutherwood, he was moved by their stories and decided to donate proceeds from his show to support our cause.

We are thrilled to announce that Vinny will be back for a second show this winter, and we can't wait to share more laughter and community spirit together.

Despite a national housing crisis, Lutherwood’s Home Based Support (HBS) Program continues to break the cycle of chronic homelessness with community help along the way. Through landlord-provided housing units, housing support workers and peer support housing coaches, the HBS program helps people experiencing chronic homelessness build their community circle of support and find permanent stable housing.

As of July, 230 housing units have been supported through the HBS program, and half of these households no longer require housing support. Operating in alignment with and above municipal, provincial, and national government standards, our HBS program is a highlight of how community involvement can contribute to ending chronic homelessness.

Due to the expansion of our Life Launch program, numerous staff members were relocated, prompting a need for office furniture. Fortunately, Swiftspace Inc. played a crucial role by making it affordable for us to purchase furniture, which has significantly enhanced our working spaces. Subsequently, they generously provided a financial contribution to support our programs. Rob Way, the CEO of Swiftspace Inc., elaborated, “I have watched for many years how the important work being performed each and everyday at Lutherwood has made a difference to the lives of many. When our company was asked to provide them with support, it was an easy decision to say yes.” 

Community connection filled the air at the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council's annual World Suicide Prevention Day event. It was a welcomed opportunity to connect with others, discover support systems and learn more about suicide prevention to foster hope and healing. Lutherwood's Front Door staff, alongside many other organizations in the community, were there sharing support and a sense of togetherness. Messages of hope, help and healing covered the Victora Park Pavilion, creating a space of belonging in the community, and leaving a lasting impression on everyone throughout the day.

We gratefully acknowledge the following tributes made during the past months:

Gifts in Honour of

Warren Bechthold

Louise Gaudreau

Jennifer Kraemer

GRT Bus Drivers

Gary Grave of CBC-KW Radio

Ariya of TD Canada Trust - Stanley Park Mall

Lutherwood's Housing Support Worker Staff

Gifts in Memory of

Adam Turchin

Pastor Don Stroh

Irene and Roy Spencer

Erwin Giebat

Barb Moore

Dennis Strassburger

Charitable Registration Number: 10765 0194 RR 0001