Windsor transitional home gets a helping hand ahead of the holidays

A Windsor philanthropist has donated an abundance of food for those seeking help at a sober living transition home on Windsor's west side ahead of the holidays.

Sam Sinjari made the Christmas meal donation earlier this week bringing several turkeys, potatoes and other goods to Hand in Hand Support on Riverside Drive.

"This is a great organization, it does a lot for the community," Sinjari explained. "It does a lot for individuals to empower them, to get their life into becoming the best version of themselves."

Hand in Hand Support of Windsor is celebrating four years since opening in 2020, along with recent success of a new program that helps residents seeking a life free of addiction and substance abuse. Officials said since the doors opened, more than 600 individuals have be helped through the non-profit organization.

"It's a hand up, it's hand in hand support. It helps people help themselves and also give them an opportunity to, while they're helping themselves, give back to the community as well," said Sinjari.

"I'm hoping that with the donations that I make, people can see what I'm doing and also step forward and give back. I hope to plant the seed of stewardship in others and help people realize that in the community, there's wonderful organizations especially ones like this one that are really helping people empower them and help get their life to where they want it to be."

Earlier this year, Hand in Hand began a trauma based program that has helped support 114 men throughout 2024. Of those, 88 graduated the program, representing a 77 per cent success rate of people that are able to eventually give back by volunteering in the community.

"It's doing amazing things," exclaimed Brock Kennedy, who facilitates the program.

"It's hard to see guys go back out and struggle, but then you get to see the guys that actually make it, you know what I mean? Get their families back, get a job, you know, get out there and do the right thing," Kennedy said.

There are currently 45 men getting help through Hand in Hand Support. Kennedy noted not all residents of the sober living home get to be with friends or family during the holiday season, suggesting food donations go a long way in helping.

"Christmas is a really hard time of year for the guys here. A lot of guys go home. This is a different kind of program. So it's not a lockdown program. We encourage guys to go home, get their families back. But there are guys that don't have families. We're getting them food and stuff like that."