New shelter spaces open in Guelph

The Stepping Stone building at 23 Gordon St. in Guelph.

The County of Wellington and Stepping Stone are celebrating the opening of new shelter spaces in Guelph.

Renovations at 23 Gordon Street have officially wrapped up, offering expanded low-barrier shelter spaces. In all, 24 additional beds and 12 transitional housing units were added. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Friday.

Work on the renovations began back in the spring of 2023, when the county and Stepping Stone began exploring ways to expand with the help of Grinham Architects.

“The expansion of 23 Gordon Street is a testament to the vision and commitment of Sister Christine,” Perrin Valli, executive director of Stepping Stone, said in a news release. “Sister Christine saw 23 Gordon Street as a place to create hope and foster a sense of community. This expanded facility will be instrumental in supporting the health and wellbeing of those currently experiencing homelessness.”

Christine Leyser, affectionately known as Sister Christine, was a local humanitarian and member of Loretto Sisters. She was renown for her dedication to helping others and founded a network of facilities offering social services, accommodation and a sense of community, including the Drop-In Centre on MacDonnell Street, Dwelling Place and Stepping Stone. Sister Christine was invested into the Order of Canada in 2009. Although she left Guelph a decade ago, her spirit continues to infuse the work at Stepping Stone.