House of Lazarus is a non-profit organization that works with the community to ensure that people have the basics of life. Our food bank and many outreach programs offer food, clothing, household goods, furniture and housing supports to those in need.
House of Lazarus strives to fill in the gaps of services and resources.
Vision
House of Lazarus strives to be a first-stop community hub that coordinates support and provides resources to those in need.
Mission
Building Community, Sharing Hope
Our Pillars
We build community by fostering relationships that share a common understanding of those living in poverty.
We build connections with agencies, businesses, service groups; providing leadership in our community in order to better serve those in need.
We share a passion to provide people living in poverty with their basic needs and to support them in making a positive difference in their lives.
We share services, goods and resources provided by our community.
House of Lazarus’ Linking Hands is an initiative created to reduce poverty in Dundas County by listening to and addressing the needs of the people throughout the county’s many communities. Linking Hands offers a voice for people living in poverty. Linking Hands has several functions: it educates the public on poverty – its definition, the many forms it can take, the unique way it makes itself known in rural communities, and more; it provides opportunities for people and communities to work, play, and ‘be’ together, encouraging connection and neighbourliness; it creates activities, programs, events, and projects to help resolve issues of poverty in the county; and it strives to provide a comprehensive summary of the information (available services, programs, events, etc.) the community wants and needs.
The House of Lazarus got its start in 1986 when a local minister with a desire to help those living in poverty began feeding the poor, using the trunk of his car as his base of operations. Eventually, the charitable venture moved to the reverend’s garage in Dundela and then to the local church before taking up space in an actual office-like setting in nearby South Mountain, thanks to the generosity of a local businessman.
In 1999, the mission received a large donation, allowing the House of Lazarus’ board of directors’ to purchase a large parcel of land in Mountain – the charity’s current home. At this time, the House of Lazarus became a registered charity, and board members saw the move to its new location as an opportunity not only to grow to fit the needs of the surrounding population, but to also one-day become a hub – a one-stop spot where people find the services, resources, and information they need.
To do this, the mission made various connections and built and fostered many relationships throughout Dundas County and the surrounding area. The House of Lazarus has been and continues to be committed to raising its voice and sharing its passion, offering comprehensive and ongoing support to those in need, AND going above and beyond by becoming an advocate in the fight to reduce and eventually eliminate poverty altogether.
The “action seed” that eventually gave birth to what is now Linking Hands was planted in 2010, during the House of Lazarus’ participation in the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition’s social audit. The mission’s representative to a stand, voicing concern for the lack of attention given to the rural communities’ experiences with poverty, and shining a light on the fact that poverty solutions, like poverty experiences, are not and cannot be “one size fits all,” as those living in rural areas have unique challenges not shared by their city counterparts.
The House of Lazarus emphasized the fact that rural poverty issues are so vast and complex they cannot be solved by one organization. In fact, the mission has long since recognized the need for collaboration on a community-wide scale.
House of Lazarus staff and volunteers have been serving the community since 1986 by providing food, clothing, access to shelter, community, and so much more. Started by a local Christian Minister Allen Tysick, he desired to serve the poor, the lonely, the widow, the addicted, the orphan, and anyone in need. Soon, this one man’s vision became the vision for the House of Lazarus. The name Lazarus comes from two biblical characters: Lazarus as a beggar—one who is waiting to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table, and Lazarus as a friend of Jesus—one that Jesus raises from the dead.
Both Lazarus stories represent the need and the grief so often found in our communities. The story of the beggar Lazarus—and his lack of relationship with the rich man—is grim and urgent and reveals the danger of blind apathy. The story of Jesus’ friend Lazarus reveals how uncertainty, sickness, and despair can leave people feeling isolated and alone. A community of compassionate people is essential to meet the need. The House of Lazarus is such a place, as it stands as a beacon of light building community and sharing the hope and love that Jesus exemplified.
As author Debie Thomas writes, “to see is to risk the vulnerability of relationship. Of kinship. Of solidarity.” Seeing means recognizing the one who suffers. Seeing connects us and requires justice, kindness, and walking alongside people who hunger, who suffer, who need help. A bold and courageous way of seeing is what the House of Lazarus is all about.
House of Lazarus is committed to providing equal access to our services, programs, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. We strive to treat everyone with dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.
Our accessibility practices follow the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Our Commitment
We work to remove and prevent barriers by:
- Communicating with people in ways that consider their individual needs
- Providing accessible telephone and communication options
- Welcoming service animals and support persons on our premises
- Supporting the use of assistive devices
- Providing notice of any temporary service disruptions that may affect accessibility
- Training employees and volunteers on how to provide accessible service
Employment Accessibility
House of Lazarus is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. We:
- Provide accommodation during recruitment and hiring upon request
- Support employees with disabilities through workplace accommodations
- Provide accessible workplace information and communication supports
- Develop individual accommodation plans when required
- Provide workplace emergency information for employees who need assistance
Accessibility Training
All employees and volunteers receive training on accessibility and how to interact and communicate effectively with people with various disabilities.
Feedback and Questions
House of Lazarus welcomes feedback on how we can improve accessibility.
Email: cashby@houseoflazarus.com
Phone: 613-989-3830
Mail: House of Lazarus 2245 Simms St, Mountain, Ontario, K0E 1S0
* Alternative methods of communication, including in-person meetings, are available upon request.
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