A Better Tent City

A Better Tent City is an initiative that began in 2020 to help homeless individuals transition to stable housing initiated by the collaboration of Ron Doyle, Nadine Green and Jeff Willmer. And here we are years later still supporting the most vulnerable. Lifting them up.

We envision a time when the right to housing is truly understood as a human right and everyone has access to a safe, supported and respectful alternative to living rough.

The values that direct us are compassion, respect, dignity and hope. This is a place of healing and caring. Together we are truly changing lives for the better.

"Being here is like starting over. It helps being around people who have been through the same thing - it's life." (a resident)

“If I didn't have my cabin I would be out on the street, sleeping under stairwells in apartment buildings. I am grateful for every night that I get to sleep in my bed.” (a resident)

Thank you for your support.

Wondering what to do with your old garbage bin?
A Better Tent City can use your old garbage bin.

49 Ardelt Ave Kitchener, near Ottawa and Homer Watson.

But it must be in reasonable condition.

75 Litres / 20 gallons size, no lids needed
No green bins

Please contact Brad to arrange a drop off time [email protected]

A Better Tent City can use your old garbage pail.

But it must be in good condition, and not the large tall ones.
Our volunteers must lift these when they are packed full.

75 Litres / 20 gallons size, no lids needed.
No green bins.

Please contact Brad to arrange a drop off time [email protected]

A Better Tent City is an initiative that began in 2020 to help homeless individuals transition to stable housing initiated by the collaboration of Ron Doyle, Nadine Green and Jeff Willmer. And here we are 5 years later still supporting the most vulnerable. Lifting them up.

We envision a time when the right to housing is truly understood as a human right and everyone has access to a safe, supported and respectful alternative to living rough.

The values that direct us are compassion, respect, dignity and hope. This is a place of healing and caring. Together we are truly changing lives for the better.

"Being here is like starting over. It helps being around people who have been through the same thing - it's life."... (from a resident)

💙 Happy Family Day from the Kitchener Rotary Club 💙

Wishing everyone a warm and meaningful Family Day from all of us at the Kitchener Rotary Club! 💛

Family Day is all about caring for one another — and that spirit of family extends throughout our community.

In that spirit, we’re celebrating a successful hygiene drive in support of our friends at Better Tent City . Thanks to the incredible generosity of our members, we collected 372 essential hygiene items! From toothbrushes and toothpaste to towels, razors, shampoo, and other everyday necessities, these simple items will make a meaningful difference.

A special thank you to Rotarian Neil, Chair of our ABTC Committee, pictured here delivering the donations — turning compassion into action. 👏

When we come together, even small acts add up to something powerful.

Spring is on the mind today at @abettertentcity! Tiny City Maker artists just completed a workshop that will expand our card collection to include Thank You, Mother’s Day, and Spring Equinox cards! Stay tuned for product releases 🌹🌸🌺🌷🌼 What other cards would you want to see Tiny City Makers create?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTc56OYDh3n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

KW’s cutest local gift shop 💛 now carries Tiny City Makers - art made from the creative residents at A Better Tent City. Where therapeutic arts meets creative expression and community building for folks on paths to stable housing. Support the @abettertentcity residents work by shopping @tinycitymakers at @marlowegeneral store on King St in Kitchener! 💛

Toesty Toes Waterloo Region Fund held at Waterloo Region Community Foundation is a wonderful supporter of A Better Tent City. You have enabled us to share warm winter socks with hundreds of people experiencing homelessness each year. Thank you so much for your ongoing assistance as we find ways to stabilize the lives of so many people. It is truly appreciated.

https://www.facebook.com/ToastyToesWR abettertentcity.org

A Better Tent City is supported by the CJ Moore Memorial Phoenix Fund held at Waterloo Region Community Foundation. wrcf.ca.

Thank you for your support. It is appreciated. abettertentcity.org

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSXccpyjqIn/?igsh=MXVoNTFlNGxibjdzMA==

Thank you for all your support. It is truly appreciated.

How do we express the amount of gratitude we have?! 🙌 $2,260 dollars raised ‼️ 49 auction participants 🎟️ 56 raffle tickets sold 🫶 20 art items auctioned successfully 🎨 11 funded workshops for artist stipends Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to everyone who shared a reel, spread the word, bid at the auction, or bought a raffle! Your efforts help fund 11 workshops for 2026. Get ready for a new year of Tiny City Makers art coming your way! Let us know in the comments what art you’d like to see from A Better Tent City residents ⤵️