About Thresholds Homes and Supports

A stable, permanent home is the first step towards mental wellness.

Thresholds Homes and Supports has been supporting individuals since 1980.

Our not-for-profit organization offers a range of mental health and addiction services, including supportive housing, crisis respite, individualized support programs, and more. We currently assist more than 1,100 individuals in the communities of Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph.

Your donation to Thresholds will help us provide affordable housing and individualized support programs for our community's most vulnerable, who are working towards mental wellness.

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Our History

  • 1970s

    A group of concerned citizens, family members, and mental health professionals recognize a lack of decent, affordable supportive housing for individuals with psychiatric disabilities and decide to do something about it.

  • 1980

    Waterloo Regional Homes for Mental Health (WRHMH) opens its doors in 1980. The agency begins with a single 8-bedroom group home, located on Joseph Street in Kitchener. Initially, this home was a transitional housing program for individuals discharged from hospital with an 18-month maximum length of stay. The first Executive Director of the Agency was Pauline Potzhold, who later became the President of the Board.

  • 1981

    Wendy Czarny joins the Agency as Executive Director.

  • 1983

    A home on Fergus Avenue in Kitchener is purchased to offer congregate living for eight (8) individuals.

  • 1984

    WRHMH establishes its first off-site office, moving staff out of the Joseph Street Group Home.

  • 1986

    A duplex at Cambridge Street and Colborne Street in Cambridge is purchased to offer housing for eight (8) individuals.

  • 1988

    A small home was purchased and renovated into a two-building apartment complex on Victoria Street, Kitchener, providing independent housing for twelve (12) individuals.

  • 1989

    Two bungalows on Daytona and two bungalows on Monte Carlo in Kitchener are purchased providing housing for twelve (12) people.

  • 1990

    The Madison Avenue property is purchased and renovated, housing eight (8) people with 24/7 staff support on-site.

  • 1994-1998

    Extensive strategic planning leads to a shift in services.  The reorganization results in the development of three staff teams, providing support services to more than 225 people in community and family homes. During this time, an apartment building on Garden Street in Cambridge is purchased.

  • 2005

    The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care funds Phase 1 of the Crisis Respite Residential Program.

  • 2006

    The ACT Team is established, providing intensive support for 80-100 additional individuals.

  • 2006-2007

    Phase 2 of the Crisis Respite Residential Program sees the organization acquire a property on Sheldon Avenue allowing the agency to provide short-term residential crisis support for up to six (6) people as needed.

  • 2011

    WRHMH receives a three-year grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to research Minds in Motion’s initiative for those recovering from mental illness.

  • 2012

    WRHMH pilots the Extraordinary Needs Program (ENP). This program focuses on supporting those in hospital with an alternative level of care to transition to community living.

  • 2015

    Phase 2 of ENP begins in May, when the Louisa Street Residence in Kitchener opens.  This residential program supports five (5) individuals with high support needs.

  • 2016

    WRHMH is rebranded as Thresholds Homes and Supports. Along with the name change, the agency moves its location from 618 King Street to its present home at 236 Victoria Street North.
    THS says goodbye to Wendy Czarny who has served as Executive Director for over 35 years.

  • 2020

    THS celebrates its 40th anniversary.  2020 is also the year THS amalgamates with Dunara Homes for Recovery, further expanding our services into Guelph-Wellington and increasing our staffing complement to over 150 employees.

Our Vision, Mission & Values

Our Vision

Thresholds Homes and Supports will be a leader in integrated mental health, housing, and substance use services in our communities by:

  • Promoting improved quality of life by addressing social determinants of health and responding flexibly to client-determined goals and complex needs
  • Working collaboratively within our communities to enhance collective health and resilience
  • Engaging in meaningful allyship and advocacy to address social justice inequities

Our Mission

Thresholds Homes and Supports is a recovery-oriented, community-integrated agency that focuses on improved quality of life and enhanced independence for people experiencing mental health issues by providing access to affordable housing and flexible, individualized support.

Our Values

Person-focused

We believe that services and supports should be planned with the person, and based on what is important to them.

Hope

We believe in the potential for growth and change in every person.

Recovery

We believe in the potential of everyone to live a meaningful and fulfilling life where one’s own personal goals, hopes, and dreams are pursued.

Self-determination

We believe in a person’s right to make their own decisions about their life.

Quality of Life

We believe in improving the physical and psychological well-being of people.

Integrity

We believe in the ethical practice of fairness and justice for all.

Collaboration

We believe in working together to facilitate the best possible supports for the people we serve.