Thank you to the @hamiltonspectator and to @sam.campanella @evarothwellcentre and the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton (@1stuuhamilton)

An Homage to Hamilton’s Helping Institutions – By Scarlett Gillespie

When I was displaced from my apartment in downtown Kitchener due to gentrification in 2018, Hamilton became my home. At first, I felt isolated, anxious, and alone. It was through volunteering at the Eva Rothwell Centre’s Clothing Room program that I began to feel a sense of belonging and integration into the city. The Eva Rothwell Centre is a one-stop community hub that changed my life for the better.

In the Clothing Room program, my role was to unpack and organize clothing donations, display them, and assist with transactions. The space is set up much like a retail store, restoring a sense of normalcy and dignity. Each month, visitors are given points based on need, which they use to “purchase” clothing. This low-barrier system not only ensures access for economically disadvantaged individuals and families but also encourages budgeting skills while preserving a sense of autonomy and respect.

It was there that I met Pat Dickinson, who I am now blessed to call my grandmother. Through Pat, I was introduced to the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton – another place that helped me feel at home. At that time, I was very close to homelessness, moving between apartments and struggling to find stability. The congregation offered me something that I hadn’t realized I needed so deeply: hope.

Serendipitously, the first homily I listened to at the Dundurn Street South location focused on homelessness. Within that hour – of inspired words, music, and shared presence – I felt seen, understood and held. It was a powerful reminder of what it means to belong in a community. It shows me that connection, care, and compassion are not abstract ideals, but lived experiences.

What made these spaces transformative was not just the services they offered, but the environment they created: places where people could pause, reflect, and imagine a better future. Yet it is incredibly difficult to hold onto hope without the stability and safety of a home.

Also featured on Instagram: @scarlett4mayor