Online Hours
Hours displayed in:Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Lutherwood Main Room
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
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About Us
Lutherwood is a progressive, not-for-profit health and social service organization that strengthens people's lives by providing mental health, employment and housing services in Waterloo Region and Wellington County to more than 19,600 people annually regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual identity.Anti-Racism Statement
As a community agency delivering mental health, employment and housing services, Lutherwood acknowledges Canada’s history of systemic racism, oppression and the need for structural and institutional change.
We are committed to imbedding anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices, and perspectives into the fabric of our organization. We recognize that we have a lot of work to do to begin the journey in dismantling racist and oppressive systems, addressing biases, stereotypes, and prejudices as continue our mission to becoming authentic allies. We have implemented mandatory antiracism training, actively building safe spaces to host brave conversations for learning, and building a culture of belonging for all, but especially BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, historically and presently marginalized individuals and communities.
We are continuing to listen with the intention to learn, unlearn and undo the subconscious ways White Supremacist culture shapes our perspectives, and prioritize human dignity. We commit to no longer being silent or neutral as we move towards tangible action and change.
Dr. John Colangeli
Chief Executive Officer
Lutherwood
Serving Our Diverse Community
We are committed to expanding our programs and services to meet the needs of our diverse community by learning how BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ communities are disproportionately impacted by discrimination, training staff to work through an anti-racism, anti-oppression lens, and fostering relationships to bridge this gap of inequity. Lutherwood has been identified by TransNav as a safe space for Trans* community members to access services. TransNav is a directory that outlines Trans* positive resources and services in the community.
Lutherwood welcomes candidates with diverse educational backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
Lutherwood has offices across Waterloo Region and Wellington county.
Our Services
For over five decades, children, youth and their families have trusted our accredited Children's Mental Health Services to support them as they cope with serious emotional and behavioral challenges. We provide preventative and supportive services in a variety of settings, and use proven practices to help families cope with life’s challenges. In 2014, Lutherwood was selected as Lead Agency for children's mental health services responsible for planning, access and quality of services across Waterloo Region.
Lutherwood is a leader in Employment Services. We offer a broad range of programs that help individuals find and maintain jobs, newcomers adjust to the Canadian workplace, and employers recruit and train employees. We also provide customized outplacement and adjustment services to help employers and workers manage workplace downsizing.
Lutherwood has been helping individuals find and maintain permanent, safe and affordable housing since 1989. Our Housing Services now includes assistance with loans for rental arrears and deposits where qualified, service resolution support, public education, training and information on housing. We also operate the Safe Haven youth shelter for 12–18-year-olds at risk of living on the street.
Lutherwood Child and Family Foundation works with donors to direct their donations to areas of greatest need such as operating a shelter for youth, supporting children struggling with their world and helping young parents cope with newborns.
As an extension of its work, Lutherwood operates Luther Village on the Park in Waterloo. This retirement community offers an active lifestyle where residents can maintain independence and receive extra support when needed. Residents pay market value with profits used to support Lutherwood’s community work.
Caring Staff
We carefully select and train our staff to listen to your concerns, answer your questions and respond to your needs. And it shows as Lutherwood has earned a 50-year reputation for improving the quality of life of people in our community – people just like you and your family
Vision, Mission & Values
Our mission, vision and values are guiding statements that lead our Board, leaders and staff to pursue service excellence, social service leadership and innovative solutions that will help us strengthen the lives of those in our community and beyond.
Our Vision
Communities where all children, youth, adults and families experience mental wellness, financial stability and a safe place to live.
Our Mission
We inspire hope and strengthen lives by offering high quality mental health, employment and housing services.
Our Values
Respect for Others
Embracing inclusion and diversity, we treat people with empathy and dignity, and without judgment.
Compassion
We inspire hope and optimism by being positive and demonstrating a desire to help.
Working Together
We strengthen our ability to achieve our Vision and Mission by working closely with community partners and each other.
Growth
Our growth mindset enables us to evolve both as individuals and as an organization.
Excellence
We deliver excellence by being innovative in problem-solving, committed to continuous improvement and accountable for results.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (Neutral), Anishnaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. We are situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to Six Nations, which includes six miles on each side of the Grand River and our Guelph office is part of the Between the Lakes Purchase/Treaty. We are committed to forming alliances and solidarity with Indigenous peoples in our collective commitment to make the promise and the challenge of Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities.
We are making it a practice to publicly acknowledge the history of the land we are situated on in order to visibilize Indigenous peoples, whose existence and struggles have been largely absent from the Canadian consciousness for hundreds of years.
Our ability to be working and living here now— is a direct benefit of policies of expulsion and assimilation of Indigenous peoples during the time of settlement and Confederation, and since. The harms of these policies are many and are still being felt in Indigenous communities today. Land acknowledgements are just a first step in doing this work.
To learn more, click these links about the Haldimand Tract, Between the Lakes Treaty,land acknowledgements, Map of Ontario Treaties and moving beyond acknowledgement.
