Starling Community Services

Name

Starling Community Services

Legal name

Starling Community Services

Website

https://starlingcs.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

Keywords

• Children's mental health services
• Employment support programs
• Housing assistance services
• Youth crisis intervention
• Community social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterloo

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Government funding from federal, provincial, and municipal sources constitutes the primary revenue stream. The Ontario government invested $2.5 million annually for youth mental health programs including the Birchlands Step Up Step Down Program.
2. Donations and Foundation Support: The Starling Child and Family Foundation cultivates community relationships to generate additional financial resources through donations, monthly giving programs, corporate sponsorships, planned gifts, and special events like Steps for Kids.
3. Luther Village on the Park: Operating a retirement community where residents pay market value; profits are used to support Starling's community work.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Starling Community Services is a not-for-profit charitable organization delivering accredited children's mental health services, employment assistance, and housing support across Waterloo Region and Wellington County in Ontario, Canada. Operating since 1970 (formerly Lutherwood), the organization functions as the designated Lead Agency for children's mental health services in the region and provides crisis intervention, residential treatment, community-based mental health care, employment placement, eviction prevention, and emergency shelter. It also operates Luther Village on the Park, a retirement community whose profits fund community programs, and the Starling Child and Family Foundation as its fundraising arm.

Product overview

Starling Community Services (formerly Lutherwood) is a not-for-profit health and social service organization offering a comprehensive suite of interconnected programs organized into three core service areas: Children's Mental Health Services, Employment Services, and Housing Services. The Mental Health Services division includes Front Door (intake), crisis programs (Mobile Crisis Service, Safe Haven Youth Services, Emergency Department Diversion Team), community programs, youth justice services, day treatment programs (Day Treatment JR/SR, Woodlands, Birchlands), the Birchlands Step Up Step Down Program, Child and Parent Place (CAPP), and Substance Use Services. Employment Services provides job search support, newcomer services, training and apprenticeship, and the Canada-Ontario Job Grant for employers. Housing Services includes eviction prevention, housing search support, emergency shelter, and operates Safe Haven Youth Services for at-risk youth. The organization also operates Luther Village on the Park retirement community and is supported by the Starling Child and Family Foundation for fundraising.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Safe Haven Youth Services: Emergency shelter and support services for youth aged 12-18 at risk of being homeless
• Luther Village on the Park
• Child and Parent Place (CAPP)
• Front Door

Products and services

• Children's Mental Health Services Accredited children's mental health services for children, youth (0-18), and families experiencing emotional or behavioural challenges in Waterloo Region. Includes crisis services (Mobile Crisis Service, Emergency Department Diversion Team), community programs, day treatment and live-in programs (Day Treatment JR/SR, Woodlands, Birchlands), Youth Justice Services, Child and Parent Place (CAPP) supervised access, and the Front Door central intake program.
• Birchlands: Step Up Step Down Program Mental health program that supports youth in their transition home from inpatient hospital or secure treatment care to less intensive community-based services, funded by Ontario government's $2.5 million annual investment.
• Substance Use Services Services launched in April 2025 providing substance use support for young people, offering safe, kind, and accessible care for youth who struggle with substance use as a way to cope with stress, trauma, or mental health challenges.
• Safe Haven Youth Services 24/7 emergency shelter and support services for youth aged 12-18 at risk of being homeless or living on the street. Includes the Life Launch program that increased capacity by 66% and serves youth who have been exploited. Operates from a Kitchener location with specialized support from SASC for youth who have experienced sexual violence.
• Employment Services Comprehensive employment assistance including job search support, resume writing, interview preparation, training programs, apprenticeship opportunities, and newcomer services across Waterloo Region and Wellington County. Services are tailored for job seekers, youth (15-30), newcomers to Canada, and employers. Includes the Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) program.
• Housing Services Services helping individuals and families find and maintain permanent, safe, and affordable housing in Waterloo Region. Includes eviction prevention support with virtual/drop-in services, last month's rent fund, emergency shelter services for individuals over 18, couples and families, rental arrears assistance, deposits, and housing information resources.
• Luther Village on the Park Retirement community in Waterloo operated by Starling Community Services, offering an active lifestyle where residents can maintain independence and receive extra support when needed. Residents pay market value and profits support Starling's community work.
• Starling Child and Family Foundation The registered charity and fundraising arm of Starling Community Services that cultivates donor relationships and generates financial resources through monthly giving, corporate sponsorships, planned gifts, and special events like the annual Steps for Kids walk to support the organization's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 22,530+ people annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Safe Haven Youth Services to provide specialized support for young people who have experienced sexual violence. SASC provides expertise and resources that complement Safe Haven's shelter and recovery services.
• TW PropertiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTW Properties' Double the Impact food drive helped support hundreds of Starling children and families during the holiday season through matching donations.
• Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)coreOthersStarling Community Services participates in HOOPP, one of Canada's leading defined benefit pension plans, providing employees with retirement security and peace of mind.
• Entente Education Canada (formerly RTOERO)minorOthersPartnership to provide retired employees with exclusive access to non-profit health, dental, hospital, and travel coverage.
• Luther Village on the ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarling Community Services operates Luther Village on the Park retirement community in Waterloo. Residents pay market value and profits support Starling's community work.
• CODA (Community Opportunities Development Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerged with Lutherwood in 1998 to offer a more complete set of employment services to Waterloo Region and Wellington County.
• Sisters of Notre Dame / Betty Thompson Youth CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2001, Lutherwood took over operation of the Betty Thompson Youth Centre and Safe Haven Youth Shelter from the Sisters of Notre Dame, providing a more stable business model for 24/7 youth shelter services.
• Wagner, Livock & Associates Financial Services Inc. and Heffner Motors LTDminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate donors who helped secure a new vehicle for the Children's Mental Health Centre to assist with transportation to medical appointments and community outings.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Family & Children's Services of the Waterloo Region: FCS Waterloo Region is the local children's aid society providing child welfare, counseling, and youth justice services; it operates in the same regional ecosystem and shares referral pathways and funding sources with Starling's mental health and youth programs.
• KidsAbility Centre for Child Development: KidsAbility provides therapy, autism services, and developmental supports to children and youth in Waterloo Region and Wellington County, directly comparable to Starling's children's mental health and family support portfolio.
• House of Friendship: House of Friendship operates emergency shelter, housing, and food security programs in Kitchener-Waterloo, overlapping directly with Starling's housing and Safe Haven Youth Services offerings for at-risk and homeless individuals and families.
• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Waterloo Wellington: CMHA Waterloo Wellington delivers mental health and addictions services across the same geography, directly competing with Starling for provincial mental health funding and serving overlapping client populations including youth and adults in crisis.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/starlingcanada
• Facebookfacebook.com/starlingemployment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/starlingcs
• Instagraminstagram.com/starlingcanada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Starling Community Services