Lutherwood (Now Known as Starling Community Services)

Lutherwood was a progressive, not-for-profit health and social service organization that strengthened the lives of people in Waterloo Region and Wellington County, Ontario. As of May 2024, Lutherwood is known as Starling Community Services[2][3].

History

Lutherwood began in 1970 as a centennial project sponsored by the Lutheran Church in Canada. It gradually expanded to serve people of all backgrounds and beliefs, building on its Christian heritage with care and compassion[5].

Mission and Services

The organization provided a range of services including mental health, employment, housing, and family support. It aimed to inspire hope and strengthen lives by offering high-quality services, particularly focusing on supporting children's mental health[1][3]. Before its name change, Lutherwood supported over 18,500 individuals annually[5]. The organization also employed about 380 full and part-time employees and had an operating budget of $25 million[5].

Values and Philosophy

Lutherwood's mission was guided by values such as People, Service Excellence, Stewardship, and Agency Culture, ensuring that it reached out with care and compassion to build hopeful futures for those it served[5]. The organization was accredited through the Canadian Mental Health Organization (CMHO) for its non-profit services and received funding from various federal and provincial sources for programs related to children's mental health and youth justice[5].

Transition to Starling Community Services

In April 2024, Lutherwood announced its name change to Starling Community Services, reflecting its commitment to further expand services for diverse communities, especially marginalized groups like BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+[2][3]. The name change was part of its ongoing efforts to meet the evolving needs of its community.

Foundation and Funding

Associated with Lutherwood is the Lutherwood Child and Family Foundation, a registered charity under the Canada Revenue Agency. The foundation shares the mission of supporting families and individuals by providing high-quality services[3][4]. Despite the name change to Starling Community Services, the foundation continues to operate under its original name[3].