Community Partnerships - Lionhearts

We love partnering with other non-profits so that, together, we can make an even bigger difference!

When our Eastern Ontario Men’s Centre had the opportunity to join Lionhearts for the Coldest Night of The Year event, a door was opened.

Lionheart Beginnings

This organization began in Kingston, Ontario in 2014 when the founder stumbled upon an opportunity to rescue thousands of pounds of produce from the local Costco. The offer was conditional – the food needed to be picked up each day at the same time, sorted off-site, and couldn’t be sold.

What started with 800 lbs. of strawberries became the heart of the Lionhearts organization – rescuing what would have been thrown out and giving it to people who need it most.

Since that time, the non-profit has built partnerships with bakeries, grocery stores, event venues, and national suppliers. They have expanded their reach to include Ottawa and London, as well.

Perfect Partners

As a non-profit looking for volunteers to fuel their mission, Teen Challenge has been a great partnership! Our organization benefits from the generous donations of food and household items while the men at our Eastern Ontario Men’s Centre volunteer their time with Lionhearts.

Each week our guys help sort items and prepare to distribute them to various non-profit agencies. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our clients to give back while building friendships with the other volunteers. Substance misuse often turns one’s focus inward – concerned with finding their next fix. After a prolonged time of prioritizing themselves, it is refreshing and healing to be able to give back and help others.

Lionhearts love the mission of Teen Challenge and look forward to Fridays when our guys help out. They feel our clients are an inspiration to their team. We call that a win/win!

Gratitude In Action

We are incredibly grateful to Lionhearts for helping us help our clients. Each week we provide them with a needs list and they often fulfill it – and more!

Recently, our Eastern Ontario Men’s Centre hosted the Lionhearts team for a tour and a bit of history about Teen Challenge Canada. They graciously provided a lunch of steaks, sausages, and donuts for both the clients and the staff. It was a special time of connection as we shared our space and our mission with this compassionate team.

We are grateful to partner with organizations like Lionhearts. They are helping to build healthier, more resilient communities through collaborative relationships.