Residents in the Leamington Community Hope Centre’s (LCHC) recovery homes can now bike to work because of a donation from Humanitarian Services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints<. The donation supported the purchase of 15 bicycles for the men’s recovery home and outdoor furniture for both the men’s and women’s homes. The donation is an outgrowth of a partnership between the Church and LCHC.
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Connecting Through JustServe
In May 2025, Meagan Sandor, a Church regional JustServe specialist, set up a booth at a volunteer fair in Leamington, Ontario. She was there to promote JustServe, a free Church-sponsored app and online platform that connects volunteers with service opportunities. Judy Buhler from LCHC was at the adjacent booth.
Sandor learned that LCHC provides a variety of services to at-risk populations in Leamington from a non-denominational Christian perspective. These services include both Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, a resource drop-in centre, spiritual programs, trauma recovery, one-on-one counselling and recovery homes, where people recovering from addictions and/or homelessness live in supportive housing and transition back into employment.
Sandor was able to support LCHC’s volunteer recruiting efforts through the JustServe platform, and a local Church member has become a regular volunteer. Sandor also connected Buhler with the Church’s regional Welfare and Self-Reliance director, and the donation supporting the bicycle project was born.
Employment Opportunities
Leamington, located at nearly the southernmost point in Canada, is a small but spread-out community and home to many greenhouses. Some of the residents in the recovery homes work in the local agricultural industry, but getting to work has been an issue. The bicycles, which the residents can ride during the long warm season, are empowering successful employment outcomes.
“Having access to bikes gives them freedom, dignity and a sense of normalcy as they work toward rebuilding their lives,” Buhler explained.
Buhler added, “The outdoor furniture has allowed our guests to have a place to share meals, one-on-one sessions and meet with their sponsors outside.”
Synergy in Partnerships
Sandor says Church members in Leamington want to help people in their community. Since the local congregation is small, members are happy to partner with other community organizations doing great work. Speaking specifically of LCHC, Sandor said, “They do what we wish we could do.”
Sandor’s husband, David Sandor, who recently served as branch president of the Leamington Branch of the Church, added, “If we are to fulfill the divine mandate given to us to comfort the stranger, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and administer relief to the sick and afflicted, we must support and partner with all peoples of goodwill. Faith really only grows where such goodwill abounds.”
Buhler expressed gratitude for the partnership with the Church: “We are deeply grateful for community partners like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who believe in second chances and walk alongside us in helping people heal, thrive in all areas of life and become responsible contributors to society.”