Success Stories

“When I first arrived at Lutherwood I was 16, anxious and scared – I did not want to be there.”

When Timothy, at the age of 67, found himself forced to leave his home and face homelessness, he embarked on a journey of unforeseen hardships. Eventually reaching out for help, he found himself embraced by community not-for-profits that became his lifeline. Through their support, Timothy found shelter, secured a new home, and received invaluable assistance to rebuild his life with renewed hope.

Finding work was never a problem for Josh, he always received call-backs and was offered many positions. His real challenge lay not in securing jobs but in maintaining them. With a mental health condition that triggers anxiety in high-stress situations, Josh's professional journey became a complex maze, forcing him to navigate roles that didn’t align with his strengths.

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.

With the help of Employment Services’ Achieving Competitive Employment (ACE) Program, which helps people with disabilities find and maintain employment, Brian found a new job.

In the summer of 2022, local Indigenous Artist Alanah Astehtsi Otsistohkwa (Morningstar) Jewel and Luke Swinson designed and painted a mural in Lutherwood’s child-friendly CAPP space in Kitchener where families can foster connection.