Community Outreach
Newcomer Family Donations HENS (Home Essentials Newcomer Support) Program
Due to the heat and air quality, the volunteers are taking a well deserved break. The donation driveway will be closed until August 10th. Thank you!
[email protected]
HENS instagram
Call 437-473-7023 for newcomer support information or further information regarding donating or volunteering your time.
Volunteer Form:
Click on Volunteer Form - HENS
We gladly accept new or gently used donations for newcomer families. Please ensure all items are clean, smoke-free, pet hair–free, and bed bug–free—something you or a friend would feel comfortable using. Your thoughtful donations help families start fresh with dignity.
Donations (that fit in your car and can be carried in by volunteers) can be dropped off at the end of the north driveway, under the carport covered area on the table (NOT accessible from the main church parking lot).
At this time we are unable to accept any furniture donations.
The address for the donation driveway is
240 The Donway West
Top Items needed:
- winter clothing - all types
- kitchen items (dishes, glasses, pot and pans, cutlery, microwaves etc.)
- blankets, comforters, duvets and duvet covers, towels
- bunk beds
- sewing machines
- baby strollers and children toys
- computers: desktops, laptops, iPads, tablets (needed to upgrade skills for employment and to learn English)
Items we do not accept at this time:
- wooden desks
- large book shelves
- wooden bed frames and headboards
- mattresses
- sofas (only considered if arranged to deliver directly to the families in need in advance)
Click on the CBC news story Living on a carpet: Affordability crisis hits hard for newcomers to learn about the HENS refugee project based at the Donway Covenant United Church
Our two refugees from Somalia arrived in August 2024!
They are delighted to be here and we are equally delighted! They have settled into their apartment, getting acquainted with their sister and family, and attending ESL classes.
Thank you to all of you who made it happen with your prayers and financial support! Together, we have given two young people a wonderful new life in Canada!!
Community Share Food Bank
The DCUC has members that volunteer at the Community Share food bank and we have a monthly collection of food or monetary donations for the food back. For more information click on Community Share Food Bank.
