As 2024 comes to an end and we look ahead to 2025, as Executive Director, I want to take a moment to reflect on the year you have made possible at SHOW.  This was a year of growth, resilience and hope – all made possible with your generosity and commitment.

Celebrating Milestones Together

In 2024, SHOW reached significant milestones that have strengthened our ability to serve the community. Thanks to your support, SHOW was able to:

• Expand Reach: SHOW took important steps toward the expansion of our seniors’ supportive housing program at 144 Erb Street East. With a $325,000 grant from the City of Waterloo, SHOW continues to plan for an addition to add more senior supportive housing units.  This project will offer much-needed stability and care for older adults experiencing homelessness within the community.
• Forge New Paths: This year, we embarked on a bold new initiative in partnership with the Habitat for Humanity BUILDNOW project, adding supportive housing to the project’s ambitious and unprecedented plan to build over 1,000 affordable homes on 25 acres of city-owned land beside RIM Park. This collaboration has reinforced SHOW’s commitment to forward-thinking solutions to the affordable housing crisis.
• Enhance Our Team: SHOW invested in our staffing model, growing the full-time team by over 30%.  This growth has strengthened SHOW’s ability to provide consistent, high-quality support to residents and meet the growing demand for services.
• Create Partnerships to Strengthen Vision: SHOW recognizes partnerships as the cornerstone of our ability to deliver effective supportive housing services. Collaborations with government bodies, local organizations, grant providers, and the broader community allow SHOW to access funding, share expertise, and offer a holistic range of services to our residents.

Gratitude for Your Support

None of these accomplishments would have been possible without you, SHOW’s valued donors. Your contributions empower SHOW to provide not just housing, but a sense of belonging, hope and dignity to those who need it most – those in the shelters, on the streets or in the encampments. You remind us that supportive housing is not just about shelter; it’s about building a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Looking Ahead

As we enter 2025, SHOW remains steadfast in our mission to address the pressing need for more supportive housing in Waterloo Region. The road ahead will require creativity, collaboration, and courage, but with your continued support, we at SHOW are confident we can rise to the challenge.

A Call to Action

As we celebrate the accomplishments of 2024, SHOW recognizes that the need for supportive housing is greater than ever. If you are inspired by the progress SHOW has made and the vision we share for a more equitable future, please continue standing with us. Whether through a financial gift, volunteering your time, or sharing SHOW’s story, your involvement has a meaningful impact.

From all of us at SHOW, thank you for believing in SHOW’s mission and for being part of our journey. May 2025 bring you peace, joy, and the fulfillment of knowing that you are making a profound difference in the lives of others.

Sending warmest wishes for the New Year,

Brian Paul
Executive Director
Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW)