About Stepping Stone

Stepping Stone’s core mission centers on eradicating homelessness through the provision of critical emergency shelter services and strategically designed programs geared towards achieving permanent housing solutions. Notably, a significant milestone on this journey is the launch of our groundbreaking permanent supportive housing facility, Grace Gardens, which opened its doors in August 2023. This new venture represents a pivotal step forward in our ongoing commitment to ending chronic homelessness by providing services that are responsive to the needs of those in our community and cultivating lasting change within Guelph-Wellington.

Mission

We support all genders 25+, families and seniors in their housing stability and health goals while building opportunities for community belonging. All work is filtered through a care and risk lens.

Vision

Everyone in Guelph-Wellington has a place to call home, is in good health and is surrounded by community.

Values

Social Justice; integrity; respect; responsibility; transparency; diversity; equity and inclusion; cultural competency

Our History

Sister Christine Leyser and The Drop In Centre

In 1983, Sister Christine Leyser set out with a goal to provide food and friendship to individuals in need. She founded The Drop In Centre at a small location on MacDonnell Street, which welcomed all individuals — regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or any other factor.

The Growing Concern

In the late 1980s, homelessness was identified as a growing concern in Guelph. In 1986, in partnership with the County of Wellington, The Drop In Centre started the Stepping Stone Shelter to provide beds to those without shelter.

The Need For Change

After years of providing support to individuals in the community, workers within the space identified that temporary crisis support was not sufficient in helping individuals make long-term changes to improve their quality of life.

Shifting Focus

Today, homeless shelters across Canada have been transitioning from traditional emergency shelters to housing-focused services, in an effort to end chronic homelessness through supportive long-term housing solutions.

Continuing Our Path

While Sister Christine Leyser’s legacy lives on, the Drop In Centre is now being restructured under the name ‘Stepping Stone’, to embody our objective of helping individuals experiencing homelessness step forward on a path toward securing permanent housing.

The Movement To End Homelessness

Built for Zero is a national movement to help end chronic homelessness across Canada. The campaign offers a structured, supportive, and data-driven approach focused on helping communities adapt practices to deploy resources more efficiently.

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