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A weekly blog written with the aim to share who we are, what we do and why.
If you aren’t familiar with Home Suite Hope (HSH), you have probably heard about, or attended, our signature fundraiser, Empty Bowls. Modeled after the traditional ‘soup kitchen,’ the fundraiser literally serves up soups crafted by local restaurateurs, as well as a heaping helping of awareness about us. HSH has transformed over the years – originally assisting homeless men to now assisting single-parent families, usually mothers, who are either precariously housed or facing homelessness.
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Cheers to Volunteers: National Volunteer Week April 19-25
National Volunteer Week 2026 in Ontario and across Canada is April 19–25, 2026. This year it celebrates the theme ‘Ignite Volunteerism’ to highlight the power of civic participation. This year aligns with the UN’s International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, aiming to rebuild, strengthen, and celebrate volunteer efforts nationwide. Volunteers are part of Home Suite Hope’s daily routine - whether it’s through donations, lending a hand at our fundraising events
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5 days ago2 min read
HSH welcomes Patricia Lizarralde to its Board
Home Suite Hope welcomes Patricia Lizarralde as its newest Board of Directors member. Patricia is started her term on the HSH Board this month. Patricia is a passionate Human Resources leader known for her strategic approach and expertise in business partnership, talent management, organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, coaching, and inclusion and diversity. Over the course of her 30-year career in the technology, telecommunications, and health care industries, sh
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Apr 161 min read
Update: Pathways Forward receives OTF funding
Home Suite Hope's pilot program, Pathways Forward, made possible through a grant from the Robert Kerr Foundation and the Halo Fund, a division of the Minto Foundation, has received funding to expand thanks to funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). This new funding is a grow grant across three years for a total $285,400. Home Suite Hope will use a $285,400 Grow grant over three years to expand its Pathways Forward Program to serve more single parent families throu
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Apr 72 min read
HSH welcomes new Industry Council members
Home Suite Hope’s (HSH) Industry Council plays a critical role in the development and success of its programs. The council is made up of representatives from private sector businesses, non-profit and public sector employers, community champions with influence in the local community and representatives from employment services at the local college, municipality or in community services. Meet Melissa Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from Western Univ
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Apr 22 min read
High Tea Luxury Bingo returns May 21
Join us for High Tea for Hope , a beautiful evening of high tea, bingo, and exciting prizes in support of Home Suite Hope. This unique event brings our community together for a lively night filled with connection, laughter, and purpose — all while raising vital funds to help single-parent families move from homelessness to independence. Every ticket purchased helps provide housing, education, and support services that empower families to build stable, hopeful futures. Date: T
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Mar 262 min read
Pathways Forward one of HSH's newest programs
Home Suite Hope (HSH) is known for its signature Homeward Bound Halton program. This program houses and stabilizes singe parents and their families as they face homelessness or precarious housing. After stabilizing a family that includes housing, child care, academic upgrading, if needed, all with wraparound support and counselling, it moves a single parent into a two-year diploma program through a bursary at Sheridan College. Upon graduation, up to a year of support for empl
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Mar 191 min read
HSH sponsorship opportunities available
HSH recently released its 2026 Sponsorship Package... have you seen it yet? We are reaching out to the corporate community as well as service clubs, local organizations and others upon whom we depend to carry out our mission. As one of Halton’s nonprofit agencies, we rely on fundraising and grants. Our 2026 package outlines who we are, what we do, how we do it - and why. It also outlines our success story - a story not possible without community engagement. We know that. Plea
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Mar 122 min read
IWD 2026: Give to Gain
Sunday, March 8 is International Women’s Day and the 2026 theme is 'Give To Gain.’ When we give, we gain, so together we can forge gender equality through abundant giving. The IWD 2026 Give To Gain Campaign encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration. It emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it's intentional multiplicatio
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Mar 54 min read
Eyes on Easter... so hop to it!
Even though winter is lingering, Easter (April 5) is just around the corner — and we’re excited to share a delicious way to make it extra meaningful! Our Easter Baskets of Hope Purdys Easter Fundraising Campaign is officially LIVE — featuring premium Canadian chocolates perfect for Easter baskets, teacher/staff appreciation gifts, family treats, or thoughtful thank-yous. Every purchase fills hearts and baskets with hope: Up to 30% of sales comes back to Home Suite Hope to sup
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Feb 261 min read
HSH celebrates Black excellence every day
Home Suite Hope (HSH) recognizes February as Black History Month but celebrates the excellence and richness Black individuals contribute to HSH, the community, country and across the world every day. Each February, Canadians participate in Black History Month events and celebrations that honour the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities. In Canada, the 2026 theme for Black History Month is: 30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Bri
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Feb 195 min read
HSH recognizes Nonprofit Week in Ontario
Next week - February 15th to 21st - is Ontario Nonprofit Appreciation Week Home Suite Hope is one of those non-profits making an impact in the community. This is our 21st year working to support single parents move from homelessness to self-sufficiency. We are also a member of Community Development Halton (CDH) and the Impact Halton Coalition and are a United Way Halton Hamilton-supported agency. We invite you to learn more about what we do at HomeSuiteHope.org Did you know t
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Feb 122 min read
HSH has a new Resource Hub
Did you know Home Suite Hope has a Halton Resource Hub? The online resource is available on the HSH website at HomeSuiteHope.org This resource tool was launched in late 2025 with the goal of helping people navigate community, government and other resources available in Halton. The Home Suite Hope Resource Hub is a welcoming space for clients, organizations and community partners to connect, learn, and share. It provides people with valuable information about everything from
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Feb 52 min read
HSH participants build stability with skilled trades
This week Home Suite Hope’s social media celebrated the graduation of one of our participants and how, as she searches for employment and future qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities to build upon what she has started, she put her skills to use paying it back to HSH. Faith recently graduated from the Construction and Maintenance Electrician Pre-Apprentice Diploma program at the Skilled Trades College of Canada. The college was quick to reply on our social, too, with
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Jan 293 min read
HSH Executive Director: A Woman of Distinction
Congratulations Sara! Home Suite Hope Executive Director Dr. Sara Cumming has been nominated in the YWCA Hamilton’s 2026 Women of Distinction Awards. The nominees for the YWCA Hamilton's milestone 50th annual Women of Distinction Awards, presented by ArcelorMittal Dofasco, were announced at the Nominee Reception Jan. 20 at Hamilton’s The Waterfront Centre. The Awards ceremony is set for March 5 in recognition of International Women’s Day 2026. Hamilton and Halton community me
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Jan 222 min read
Many ways to support Home Suite Hope
H ome Suite Hope works to change the trajectory of people’s lives by disrupting generational poverty at its roots. We do this by offering a helping hand up to homeless single parent-led families; wrapping all necessary and individualized services around each family to ensure that they obtain the tools necessary to become self-sufficient. Our programming works from a housing first principle, that is an understanding that individuals need a safe and secure roof over their heads
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Jan 153 min read
Join HSH Industry Council: Making Employment Connections
Home Suite Hope’s Industry Council plays a critical role in the development and success of the Homeward Bound Halton program. This group of senior executives with decision-making authority from a variety of fields support the professional advancement of participants in the program. The Industry Council is made up of representatives from private sector businesses, non-profit and public sector employers, community champions with influence in the local community and representati
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Jan 81 min read
HSH looking ahead to 2026
Dear Home Suite Hope Supporters, Partners, and Friends, As we welcome a new year, I find myself reflecting on just how far we have come together — and how profoundly grateful I am for the community that surrounds our families, our staff, and our mission. 2024 was not an easy year. Rising housing costs and fiscal pressures forced us to make incredibly difficult decisions for 2025, including reducing the number of participants in our programs and preparing for potential staffin
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Jan 23 min read
Thank you for giving Hope 4 Holidays
Thank you for helping Home Suite Hope give Hope 4 Holidays again this season! Our annual Hope 4 Holidays campaign connects HSH’s single parents and their children with the community through the spirit of giving. There are several ways our community of supporters get involved. Some sponsor a family stepping up to purchase and donate items to fulfill a family’s wish list. HSH sends its thanks to this year’s family sponsors, including: Lisa Tracey ; Ray & Karen Spence ; Rebecca
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Dec 26, 20252 min read
Two HSH families 'home for the holidays' thanks to ARGO
Two Oakville families are ‘home’ for the holidays – and it’s a wish come true. As we prepare for the holidays, we don’t realize how far typical seasonal activities are from the reality being experienced by some members of our own community. For those fleeing domestic violence for safety or others with just the clothes on their backs, the two worlds are so far apart wishes can’t bridge them. This holiday however, two single moms in Home Suite Hope (HSH) programming get to call
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Dec 18, 20255 min read
Still time to support Hope 4 Holidays 2025
Home Suite Hope is in the midst of our annual Hope 4 Holidays campaign for the 2025 holiday season! This year we are supporting 30 single-parent families across Halton. Each family is on a unique journey toward stability and independence, and your kindness and generosity helps bring warmth, dignity, and a sense of hope to these parents and children as they navigate a challenging season. We’ve had a host of volunteers from across the community step up to sponsor the wish l
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Dec 11, 20252 min read
What Does
HSH Do?
Through partnership with Halton Region, our year-long Stabilizing First Halton provides wrap-around support for parent participants to become stable not only in housing, but also with life skills and child care, as well as take academic upgrading and assessment. Homeward Bound Halton then sees eligible participants go on to study a two-year college program in fields identified as having good prospects for employment and earning potential. Graduation is followed by mentorship and supported employment searching.
Why We Do It!
What is the need in an affluent region like Halton and what challenges do single parents face? Read our blog each week, new posts go up every Friday, to delve into these issues.
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