What started as a simple but powerful idea that access to furniture can help people turn their space into a home while improving long-term housing sustainability has now grown into North America’s largest social enterprise of its kind.
Events
FIND Turns 15: Join Us for 15 Years of Furnishing Hope
When Edmonton’s Plans to End Homelessness identified access to affordable furniture as a key barrier for people transitioning out of homelessness, Homeward Trust and sector partners started a furniture bank to help remove that barrier. This led to the formation of FIND and the first retail store opened in 2011 as a social enterprise of Homeward Trust where 100% of proceeds stay in our community to support people moving from homelessness into housing.
Through community donations and retail sales, FIND provides essential furnishings free of charge to individuals and families in Homeward Trust’s Housing Programs who are transitioning out of homelessness while also offering quality furniture and home goods for affordable prices to the public.
Housing Support teams bring program participants transitioning out homelessness to FIND (online & in person) to pick out their furniture for free. This reduces the startup costs associated with moving into a new space, enables participants to personalize their space, improves quality of life, and helps those who are newly housed stay housed and independent.
FIND has been furnishing hope in Edmonton for 15 years in its current location and on average, furnishes 130 homes through Housing Support Programs every month.
When you shop, donate, or share our story, you are directly supporting people in Homeward Trust’s housing programs and contributing to collective efforts to prevent and end homelessness in Edmonton.
As we celebrate 15 years of impact, we thank our community of supporters and invite you to celebrate with us.
It Takes a Community to End Homelessness
No one agency, program, or order of government can solve homelessness alone, it takes an entire community to collaborate on collective efforts to address root causes, prevent, and end homelessness.
FIND was born out of these partnerships and collective efforts, and thanks to continued community support we now furnish an average of 130 homes every month. All items sold or used by FIND are generously donated by the community, and 100% of retail proceeds go toward helping people transition out of homelessness.
So thank you to everyone who has shopped, donated, and supported Homeward Trust and FIND. Together we are celebrating 15 years of furnishing hope. See messages from our community here.
Join us: FIND's 15th Birthday Party
As part of our 15th anniversary, we’re launching Donate 150, a community donation drive to collect 150 of our five most needed items.
These items, including couches/loveseats, dressers, TV stands, and apartment-sized kitchen tables, are essential for someone moving into housing, and making the difference between an empty space, hope, and a home.
From now until March 31, help us collect 150 of these most needed items. All donors will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a $150 grocery gift card.
For additional donation details, pick-up information, and other needed items, visit FIND here.
Donate 150 raffle rules & regulations.
Thank you for your support as it takes a community to end homelessness.
We’re opening our doors for a special anniversary event filled with fun activities:
- Onsite Fill the FIND Truck donation drive. Bring your donations! In addition to the five most needed items, here’s what we accept.
- 15% off storewide (in-store and online)
- An Orange ticket scavenger hunt for a chance to win a $150 grocery gift card
- Activities, giveaways, and birthday celebrations
- Opportunities to connect and explore FIND while learning more about Homeward Trust’s mission, its impact, and how FIND is a vital partner in efforts to prevent and end homelessness.
Whether you’ve shopped, donated, or simply supported our mission — this day is for you. Come celebrate how far we’ve come and help us build the next 15 years.
Where: FIND Edmonton at 5120 122 street NW
When: March 7, 2026, 9am-5pm
Join us in celebrating 15 years of furnishing hope. Follow us on social media and check back here for updates and upcoming FIND 15 stories.
Homeward Trust Edmonton undertakes various initiatives and hosts and supports numerous events towards our goal of preventing and ending homelessness. Some of these events are below with additional prominent community events featured in our blogs here.
In recognition of Affordable Housing in Edmonton, Homeward Trust is hosting a Community Update & Reception. Join us on Friday, November 21 (3:30-6:30pm) at Double Dragon as we recognize National Housing Day, and our collective efforts to end homelessness in Edmonton. For more information and to RSVP, contact dharmacy@homewardtrust.ca.
On Saturday, August 16, we celebrated National Thrift Shop Day at Find Edmonton which is a social enterprise of Homeward Trust helping to provide furniture to those in our Housing and Support programs who are transitioning out of homelessness, Bissell Thrift Shop Edmonton, and The Mustard Seed Thrift Store Edmonton.
It was an opportunity for thrift lovers to:
Shop.
Donate.
Win prizes.
And Support your Community!
All in one day!
Why Participate?
Beyond winning prizes and enjoying a fun day, every dollar spent at Find Edmonton supported programs to fight poverty and end homelessness right here in Edmonton.
Where?
Three thrift stores. Three locations.
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Find Edmonton – 5120 122 Street | 9am–5pm
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Bissell Thrift Store Edmonton – 8818 118 Ave NW | 10am–5pm
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The Mustard Seed Thrift Store Edmonton – 10568 114 Street NW | 11am–6pm
What Happened?
Shoppers visited one or all three thrift stores on August 16 to donate, shop, and enjoy exclusive deals, fun in-store activities, and giveaways.
All three stores offered:
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An on-site raffle to win a swag prize pack.
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The Thrift Passport Challenge with chances to win great prizes from local businesses.
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A social media contest with chances to win $25 gift cards for each partner location.
At Find Edmonton
As a social enterprise of Homeward Trust helping to provide furniture to those in our Housing and Support programs who are transitioning out of homelessness, Find hosted even more activities:
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Passport Thrift Challenge: shoppers picked up their passport to play.
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Community BBQ by donation (11am–2pm).
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Spin to Win all day for up to 50% off.
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Donation Drive: Shoppers helped fill the truck at Find and received a coupon for 10–20% off in-store.
Thank you, Edmonton, for joining us to Shop, Donate, Support your Community, and Win prizes on National Thrift Shop Day 2025!
Indigenous Gathering 2025
When: April 14, 2025 from 9am-4pm
Where: Chateau Louis Hotel
Indigenous Gathering 2025 Program: Here
This year we were honoured to have keynote speaker Alberta Justice Ivan Ladouceur with speakers and presentations on housing, justice, and health while showcasing housing best practices. It was a crucial opportunity to facilitate knowledge exchange, relationship-building and enhanced collaboration with Indigenous, community, and systems partners to address urban Indigenous housing and houselessness in Edmonton.
Thank you to everyone who attended and the elected officials who joined us for the Indigenous Gathering 2025.
Thank you to Our Keynote Speaker – Alberta Justice Ivan Ladouceur
Justice Ivan Ladouceur was born in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, and raised in a traditional lifestyle. He continues to spend significant time with his family on their traditional lands and trapline. Fluent in Cree, he attended a residential school in the Northwest Territories before becoming a Journeyman Red Seal Industrial Mechanic/Millwright.
Justice Ladouceur later pursued further education at the University of Saskatchewan, where he completed the Adult Teacher Education Program. He spent four years teaching in Onion Lake, Saskatchewan, before returning to the University of Saskatchewan to earn his law degree.
With 24 years of experience as a criminal trial lawyer, he has handled a broad range of cases, from breaches of court orders to homicide. In 2016, he was appointed to the Alberta Court of Justice in the St. Paul Judicial District. In 2024, he launched the Healing to Wellness Court, an initiative aimed at integrating culturally appropriate, community-based approaches to justice.
Deeply rooted in Indigenous traditions, Justice Ladouceur remains actively involved in cultural practices and ceremonies, continuing to serve as a strong advocate for Indigenous communities within the justice system.
We are honoured to have Justice Ladoucer join us to share his knowledge.
Thank you to artisans from the Indigenous Artist Market Collective (I.A.M).
Learn more about the I.A.M. here
March 20, 2025 from 4:30-8:30pm
Location: Ottewell School (9435-73 St Nw), Gymnasium #1063
Homeward Trust Edmonton, Boyle Street Community Services, and Edmonton Police Service hosted a drop-in community conversation where attendees learned more about Supportive Housing, asked questions, and participated in discussions.
Learn more: Morningstar Home
November Housing Month 2025
November Housing Month is an annual campaign aimed at raising awareness about the need for safe, quality, and affordable housing in our communities.
Check out the calendar to register for webinars, Supportive Housing visits, and other events. Plus join FIND for the Housing Month Donation Drive and the Find the Truck campaign.
June 12-14, 2024
Location: Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel at 10155-105 Street, Edmonton, AB
Homeward Trust Edmonton, in partnership with 7 Cities on Housing and Homelessness, hosted a gathering of stakeholders and practitioners dedicated to ending homelessness in our province. We are grateful to everyone who participated in this event.
Register here: Housing Supports Forum Tickets | Eventbrite
For details on the additional program and speaker, please visit Housing Supports Forum 2024.
For questions or comments, please contact: rsvp@homewardtrust.ca
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Lunch & Learn with Iain De Jong, OrgCode Consulting
June 4, 2024 from 11:30-1:30pm
Location: Santa Maria Goretti Centre
Eventbrite Link: Lunch and Learn with Iain De Jong | Eventbrite
Homeward Trust Edmonton hosted this lunch and learn session with Iain De Jong of Org Code Consulting. From a national perspective, this event examined strategies, approaches, and interventions aimed at ending homelessness. The discussion encompassed the changing landscape, challenges, successes, and pressures faced by all communities while also addressing how each participant could contribute to the goal of ending homelessness.
Indigenous Gathering, April 26, 2024
Location: Edmonton Inn & Conference Centre Hotel
Indigenous Gathering 2024 Program: Here
For the Indigenous Gathering, we gathered to share, build relationships and collaborate on urban Indigenous housing and houselessness in Edmonton. The event also aims to gather valuable feedback and perspectives while recognizing the impactful work currently being carried out in our community. This includes successes, challenges, and opportunities for improving the services provided to the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
Thank you to everyone who attended and the elected officials who joined us for the Indigenous Gathering 2024.
Thank you to artisans from the Indigenous Artist Market Collective (I.A.M).
Thank you to Our Event Emcee – Director and CEO, Lance Cardinal ᐊᐧᒐᐢᐠ
Lance Cardinal is a First Nations, 2-Spirit artist, designer, content creator and television personality from the Bigstone Cree Nation in Treaty 8 territory. He has quickly become one of Alberta’s leading First Nation artists and entrepreneurs. Lance is the CEO of Soulflame Creative Services, a First Nations design and consultation company which has led the industry in bringing Indigenous content and authentic representation into high-profile spaces and has helped pave the way for a new era of reconciliation. Soulflame works as the Indigenous consultant and designer for the Edmonton Oilers, writing the pre-game land acknowledgement video and designing the popular Turtle Island Indigenous team logo.
Lance keeps his career diverse and inspired, allowing the Creator to guide his path and inform his work. He leads with his heart, and his work delivers a message: “It is the love we have for others and the love we find in ourselves that will heal our Nations and bring our world together.”-Lance Cardinal.
