Community Report: Bringing It All Together

Lutherwood has released its most recent Community Report: Bringing It All Together.

Whether you are a friend, donor, volunteer, client, funder or partner, we thank you for working together with us to strengthen lives in our community and hope you enjoy the wonderful success stories profiled in this report.

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For many children and families supported by Starling Community Services (formerly Lutherwood), the holiday season is often the hardest time of year Last year, we saw a dramatic increase in families reaching out for help, and this year the need is expected to grow even greater. We Need Your Help.

Your team can support Starling’s Holiday Hope campaign to bring joy and restore hope for families struggling to get through the season. Contact Starling’s Child and Family Foundation to learn how your business or community group can get involved.

The #OrangeDoorProject campaign is back! From November 12 - December 21, when you donate in-store at Home Depot (Kitchener Sunrise Centre) or online, you’re supporting Starling Safe Haven Youth Services and helping The Home Depot's mission to help prevent and end youth homelessness in Canada!

Donate online or in-store today!

Link in Bio to donate!

#OrangeDoorProject #THDCF #StarlingSafeHavenYouthServices #SafeHaven

Today, we remember and honour the brave individuals of all backgrounds who fought for our freedom. Their contributions should never be forgotten.

Lest We Forget 🌹

#remembranceday #lestweforget

McDonald’s locations in Guelph, Fergus, and Elora aim to create a workplace where people feel valued and empowered, not only to thrive at work, but to contribute meaningfully to the communities they’re part of.

Through a long-standing partnership with Starling Employment Services and McDonald’s and Antolin Enterprises Inc., we are helping young people overcome barriers to employment, offering jobs and pathways for growth.

“People are happier when they feel part of a team,” says Kevin, Training & Development Supervisor. “That’s how real inclusion happens.” From structured training to communication and relationship building, team members gain employable skills, but something deeper: confidence, purpose, and a sense of belonging.

Read more in our Employer Spotlight Series - link in bio!

@mcdonaldsefg

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who supported Hockey Helps the Homeless Waterloo Region's 12th Annual Tournament, raising an INCREDIBLE $352,000 for local shelters and youth services in Waterloo Region! 🎉🥅🏒 @hhthwr

Your support, donations, and volunteering continue to impact our community and the vital services provided at Starling's Safe Haven Youth Services, Cambridge Shelter Corporation, House of Friendship, oneROOF, The Working Centre and YW Kitchener-Waterloo.

Thank you!! 🧡

#ThisGameMatters #HockeyHelpsTheHomeless #WaterlooRegion @cambridgesheltercorp, @houseoffriendshipwr, @oneroofyouthservices, @theworkingcentre and YW Kitchener-Waterloo

Human trafficking is the fastest-growing crime in Canada, and it’s happening right here in Waterloo Region.

At Starling's Safe Haven Youth Services in Downtown Kitchener, we meet kids in the aftermath, when there’s nowhere else to go, no one to call. Nowhere to feel safe.

But because of your support, we can say: “You’re safe now.”

And we’ve seen the change:
💜The first smile in weeks
💜Eye contact again
💜A youth saying, “I think I’m ready to try”

Your gift helps rewrite their story. Be the reason they believe in themselves again.

Donate Now to help a youth feel safe, seen, and supported.

Visit www.starlingcs.ca/support/donate

What an inspiring day at our annual Newcomer Career Conference in Guelph! We welcomed a great group of passionate newcomers eager to take the next step in their Canadian career journey. Our expert panel sparked powerful conversations around key job search questions, including:

💼 Should you include your survival job on your resume?
📝 Is a cover letter necessary?
🤖 Can AI help you land your next role?
🎤 And when is it okay to brag?

The day wrapped up with a vibrant networking session connecting job seekers with employers and community partners.

👏 Kudos to everyone who showed up, asked questions, made connections, and moved one step closer to their career goals.

We’re proud to be part of your journey!

A huge thank you to the amazing team at Enbridge for rolling up their sleeves and helping us build a Gaga pit, and to both Enbridge and Home Depot for their generous support in making this dream a reality for the kids at our Children's Mental Health Centre. 🏃‍♂️💜

Gaga Ball, a fast-paced, lower-impact twist on dodgeball, is played in a large octagonal pit and has quickly become a favorite among kids for its fun and inclusive gameplay.

@enbridge @homedepotcanada

#CommunitySupport #MentalHealthMatters

She was just 14 when she disappeared. And sadly, she's not alone...

Human trafficking is the fastest-growing crime in Canada, and it’s happening right here in Waterloo Region. Some children are never reported missing. Some have no one to turn to. But every single one deserves someone who cares enough to act.

At Safe Haven Youth Services in Downtown Kitchener, we meet kids in the aftermath, when safety has turned into trauma, when trust has been shattered, when there’s nowhere else to go. And we say: “You’re safe now.”

But we can’t keep saying those words without you. Your donation helps provide:
- A trained staff member to respond with care
- A clean blanket when everything else was left behind
- A warm bed and a safe place to sleep
- A plan to stay safe when they’re ready to leave
- A voice at 2:00 a.m. saying, “Come back. We’ve got you.”

The average age of human trafficking victims is just 13 to 15 years old.
Please, stand with us. Stand with them.
🔗 www.starlingcs.ca/donate

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"While we are always evolving to better meet the needs of our clients and the communities we serve, our commitment to our mission, vision, values and clients remains at the core of all our work."
— Sherri, Staff