ARNPRIOR & DISTRICT PARACLETE MINISTRIES

NeighbourLink Fountain was established in 2002 by Arnprior churches to assist people in need by connecting them with local agencies supplying immediate needs and providing a gathering place for informal support. It has grown into an essential service where volunteers provide client-guided service navigation and assistance to those experiencing poverty homelessness food insecurity social isolation and related life impacts. Believing each individual is made in the image of God we seek to provide a safe haven where everyone feels welcomed and valued. The goal of NeighbourLink is primarily to address and ameliorate poverty low income homelessness food insecurity isolation and related life impacts benefiting our wider community through improving individual circumstances and quality of life. We implement this through the following departments: - KITCHEN/CAFE: where we prepare and serve nutritious hot lunches daily snacks and hot and cold drinks. The cafe provides the context for developing deeper relationships decreasing isolation and encouraging social inclusion of vulnerable client groups. It also provides much-needed basic nutrition as well as access to individually frozen meals prepared on-site for those in need due to food insecurity poverty or homelessness. - RESOURCE: where experienced and caring volunteers provide client-guided service navigation and referrals to existing agencies and community organizations as well as income support and benefit programs. Volunteers address multiple related issues such as addictions mental health physical or cognitive disabilities intimate partner violence unmet housing needs and more. Many basic needs are met through donated and purchased goods such as emergency food supplies hygiene kits pet food gift cards and household and personal essentials. We partner with multiple outside agencies to facilitate access to necessary services. - THRIFT BOUTIQUE: provides gently used personal and household items at nominal cost or free to those in need including clothing shoes bedding outerwear dishes and more. - FURNITURE MATCHING PROGRAM: where donors of larger furnishings and appliances are matched with those in need. - ACTIVITIES: games crafts music exercise classes as well as sessions addressing budgeting cooking health parenting relationships and more. At NeighbourLink Fountain neighbours help neighbours and everyone matters.

NeighbourLink Fountain is pleased to welcome a representative from Ontario Works twice a month providing additional access and problem-solving related to income support programs. MESA a Renfrew County Paramedics initiative connects with people on-site to assist with housing solutions and addictions treatment programs. NeighbourLink Fountain also partners with the local high school as well as colleges and universities to accept student co-op placements help students fill volunteer hours and to provide real-world experience for the high school transitions students. Individuals have also been able to complete community service hours through volunteering with our organization.