For more than 85 years, Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services has been helping people across Waterloo Region navigate some of life's most difficult challenges. Founded in 1940, Porchlight has grown from a family counselling agency into a multi-service organization that provides mental health, addiction, housing, and community support programs for thousands of people each year. Today, Porchlight's vision is to create a community where emotional and mental health and well-being are prioritized and destigmatized.
This year, Porchlight is one of the recipients of a Kindred Charitable Fund grant. The funding will support a new counselling initiative focused on people working in the supportive housing sector.
Porchlight offers a wide range of services that address the complex realities many individuals and families face. These include individual, couple, and family counselling; addiction treatment and recovery programs; domestic violence counselling; youth and school-based mental health programs; supportive housing initiatives; and specialized services for people experiencing homelessness. The organization also operates addiction recovery homes and partners with community organizations to provide wrap-around supports that help people achieve stability, connection, and long-term wellbeing.
Their work has become increasingly important as Waterloo Region continues to face significant housing and mental health challenges. The organization currently helps address a critical gap in the housing-health continuum by providing recovery-oriented housing and support for individuals working to overcome addiction while rebuilding stable lives.
While supportive housing workers play a vital role in helping individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and addiction, the work can be emotionally demanding. Staff often support people through trauma, crisis situations, and complex life circumstances. Over time, these pressures can contribute to compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and burnout. “If you’re routinely exposed to trauma, the typical 6-8 mental health practitioner appointments that your benefits might cover aren’t nearly enough,” states Jonathan Cassels, Fundraising & Strategic Communications Lead at Porchlight.
The need for strong support systems is evident. Across Waterloo Region, housing organizations are working to meet growing demand. The Region of Waterloo manages a centralized waitlist for subsidized housing, and demand continues to exceed available units, resulting in significant wait times for applicants. The number of people on the waitlist currently sits at about 11,500.[i]
In addition, local developmental service organizations reported earlier this year that 716 people in Waterloo Region are currently waiting for supportive housing options[ii], while existing supportive housing placements are already operating at capacity. Some individuals and families face waits of five, ten, or even fifteen years for appropriate housing supports.
These realities place increasing demands on front-line housing and support workers who are helping people navigate complex systems while responding to urgent and growing needs. By providing accessible counselling services for workers in the supportive housing field, Porchlight's new initiative aims to strengthen the wellbeing and resilience of those who spend their days caring for others. “By supporting these staff members, we refill their cup so that they are better able to support the community members who need them, and the outcomes for everyone are better,” adds Jonathan.
Kindred's support reflects our commitment to building peaceful, just, and prosperous communities. When organizations like Porchlight invest in the health and wellbeing of front-line workers, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. Stronger supports for caregivers help create stronger supports for vulnerable community members, contributing to healthier outcomes for everyone.
We are grateful for the important work Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services continues to do in Waterloo Region and are pleased to support this meaningful initiative through the Kindred Charitable Fund.
[i] https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/another-waterloo-region-affordable-housing-project-delayed-as-costs-rise/
[ii] https://www.eafwr.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DSPAC-WR-News-Release-Waiting-to-Belong-5-FEB-2025-FINAL.pdf