Serving more than 18,000 people
in our community each year.

Starling Community Services (formerly Lutherwood) is a progressive, not-for-profit that annually provides children's mental health, employment, and housing services to more than 18,000 people of diverse identities within Waterloo Region and Wellington County.

Our Services

Mental Health Services
Help for children, youth and families
Employment Services
Connect with training, funding and jobs
Housing Services
Find safe, permanent housing
Two people in a helpful disussion

Here To Help

Please note, if you or a loved one are in immediate danger of hurting yourself or others, please call 911. We do not offer a 24 hour emergency response service.
Contact Us Today

Latest Announcements

Aug 8, 2024

2024 Community Report: The People Who Inspire Us

We often hear from our clients that they are inspired by us; and yet, so often it is the other way around! Our 2024 Community Report shares stories of inspiration from clients, chronicles inspiring words from our staff, and offers a few highlights of initiatives that help those in our community who turn to us for support.

May 21, 2024

Ontario Connecting Youth to Specialized Mental Health Care in Waterloo Region

$2.5 million investment will help youth with complex needs access care closer to home.

Apr 29, 2024

Lutherwood Changes Name

Today, Lutherwood announced it is changing its name to Starling Community Services as of Monday May 13, 2024.

Aug 14, 2023

2023 Community Report: Believing in Community

Having a sense of community is an essential part of well-being, stability, and how we see success in our lives. In a strong community, people feel safe, heard, understood and a strong sense of belonging. We share ideas, perspectives, and talents which allow for collective problem-solving and growth.

Jul 17, 2023

Successful Fundraiser: Lutherwood’s Steps for Kids Raises $100,000

The Lutherwood Child and Family Foundation is thrilled to announce that our week-long Steps for Kids fundraiser was a success! Thanks to the generous support of our community, we were able to meet our fundraising goal, raising an impressive $100,000.

Jun 7, 2023

Life Launch Expands its Programming: Youth Homelessness Prevention

With the generous donation from our community, more supportive space for youth in crisis and experiencing homelessness in our region will be available as our Life Launch program expands from two to eight beds.

Newcomer Career Conference 2024 36 x 24 in
Newcomer Career Conference is October 23!
Join us for an exciting event where you will gain valuable insights, network with industry professionals, and connect with local employers and service providers. Everyone is welcome!
Find Out More
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People Who Inspire Us
At Starling Community Services, we are inspired by our staff, donors, funders, volunteers, community partners, friends, and most of all our clients. The inspiration we draw from others, serves as a catalyst for providing hope, making a difference, and building a community where people feel they are supported, valued, and belong.
Read Starling's 2024 Community Report.
House
Partnering with PATHS2HOME
Lutherwood’s PATHS2HOME program is connecting people experiencing homelessness with housing units through partnering with landlords in Waterloo Region. If you are a landlord, your vacant units can provide a home to a person needing safe, affordable housing.
Learn More
Group of people in a virtual meeting housing
New Housing Search Support Sessions
Lutherwood’s Housing Services now offers Housing Search Support Sessions! Designed to help navigate through today's market rent housing in the Waterloo Region, our Housing Search Support Sessions are held virtually online learning. These learning experiences are facilitated by one of our Housing Advisors, with sessions held every month!
Sign Up Today

Instagram Feed

Imagine a future where every child in our community has immediate access to the mental health support they need to thrive. This is the future Starling Community Services is working toward. Please join us in creating a brighter, healthier future for the children and youth of our community. Your support could be the turning point in a young life. Give online at starlingcs.ca/donate #KidsMentalHealth #YouthMentalHealth #WaterlooRegion #StarlingMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #ChildrensMentalHealth #KidsMentalHealth
Our next virtual Housing Search Support session is on Thursday, October 31 at 2:00 PM. Join in an online learning experience with one of our skilled Housing Advisors to learn about the tools, resources and strategies that will help you obtain market rent housing in #WaterlooRegion. Register today - link in our bio! #WaterlooRegion #HousingSearchSupportSessions #HousingServices
Are you an internationally trained professional looking to kickstart your career in Canada? Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to gain valuable insights, connect with local employers, and build your professional network! Date: October 23rd, 2024 Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Location: City of Guelph, 1 Carden St, Guelph What to Expect: ✔️ Panel Discussion on Hiring Newcomers ✔️ Networking Session with local employers ✔️ Direct connections to community services and support ✔️ Light breakfast & snacks included Free Entry – but seats are limited! Register now to secure your spot. This event is open to everyone! https://starlingcs.ca/events/2024/ncc Don't miss this chance to connect, learn, and advance your career in Canada. See you there!
October 10th is World Mental Health Day. Join us in creating a brighter, healthier future for the children and youth of our community. Your support could be the turning point in a young life! Give online at starlingcs.ca/donate #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters #ChildrensMentalHealth #KidsMentalHealth
It's Mental Illness Awareness Week! Let's talk about Catastrophizing Anxiety Thinking Traps. 🧠 Catastrophizing happens when our minds jump to the worst possible outcome, even when it’s unlikely. For example, if you fail one test, you might think, “I’m going to fail this entire class.” But here’s how to work through it: Pause and ask yourself, “What’s the most likely outcome?” Remember, this is just one test, and you have multiple opportunities to improve! Throughout Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 6-12), join us as we raise awareness and promote understanding of anxiety. #MIAW #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #AnxietyAwareness #StarlingCommunityServices #KidsMentalHealth #AnxietySupport #StarlingMentalHealth
It's Mental Illness Awareness Week! Let's talk about All or Nothing Anxiety Thinking Traps. 🧠 This thinking trap makes us see things in black and white with no middle ground. For example, you might think, “If I don’t do this perfectly, I’ve failed.” This mindset can leave you feeling discouraged and like nothing you do is good enough. But here’s the key: Focus on progress, not perfection! Ask yourself, “What is something positive in what I’ve done?” 💜 Help us spread the word! Share this post to raise awareness and support others in overcoming their thinking traps throughout Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 6-12). #MIAW #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #AnxietyAwareness #ThinkingTraps #BreakFree #YouAreNotAlone
It's Mental Illness Awareness Week! Let's talk about Anxiety Thinking Traps. 🧠 Anxiety can make our minds play tricks on us, leading to unhelpful thinking patterns known as “Thinking Traps.” These distortions can cause us to snowball into even greater anxiety. But here’s the good news: once we learn to recognize these traps, we can start working through them and easing our anxiety. Throughout Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 6-12), join us as we raise awareness and promote understanding of anxiety. We’ll explore common thinking traps, how to recognize them, and strategies to break free. Together, we can open our eyes to the reality of mental illness and support one another. 💜 #MIAW #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #AnxietyAwareness #ThinkingTraps #BreakFree #YouAreNotAlone
"A little progress each day adds up to big results!" 🌟 Staff at our Children's Mental Health Centre use positive affirmations to remind children and youth to practice self-compassion. Remember, you talk to yourself more than anyone else, and what you say can impact your self-worth and confidence. Positive self-talk is a proven coping strategy. Take a moment today to share a positive affirmation with yourself because kindness starts from within. 💖 #BuildingBrighterFutures #PositiveThinking #PositiveAffirmations #StarlingMentalHealthServices #WaterlooRegionMentalHealth #ChildrenAndYouthMentalHealth #KidsMentalHealth #YouthMentalHealth
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