Solidarity Sundays: A Place to Belong
Solidarity Sundays at the Harmony Centre offers a warm, inclusive place to find community and simply be — with food, music, and neighbours, all supported by volunteers and donations.
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by Tammy Allen
On Sunday mornings, between 10 a.m. and noon, something quietly special happens at the Harmony Centre.
The doors open. The kettle goes on. Someone strikes a few notes on the piano. A game board appears on a table. Children wander in with parents, seniors settle into conversation, and neighbours — some long-time locals, some brand new to Owen Sound — find themselves sharing space, food, and time.
This is Solidarity Sundays: a welcoming, inclusive weekly gathering that has become a gentle anchor for community life.
Solidarity Sundays grew out of conversations between locals, including the Bousfield-Bastedo family (pictured with their children), who were all circling the same question: Where can people gather — without pressure, without expectation — just to be together?
Now in its third season, Solidarity Sundays has settled into something both simple and powerful — a weekly hangout where people can arrive exactly as they are.
Louise Jarvis, a newer participant and volunteer (but no stranger to the Harmony Centre), describes her first impressions: “People gather in small clusters chatting, playing board games, or simply enjoying the company of others. Music drifts through the room. On any given Sunday, you might hear a piano, a ukulele, or a group sing-along. Everyone is friendly and welcoming.”
A key part of Solidarity Sundays is the shared meal organized by Food Not Bombs — an independent, volunteer-run collective that prepares (from donated food items) and shares plant-based meals with anyone who wants them. People can donate if they’re able, volunteer if they wish, or simply enjoy the meal — no questions asked.
Extra food prepared each week is intentionally set aside and delivered to Safe N Sound, supporting people in the community who need it. Donations help cover food costs, kitchen supplies, and the basic overhead that makes this sharing possible.
Founding member, Simon Jo-Keeling, says: “At its core, solidarity at the Harmony Centre isn’t about slogans or labels. It’s about standing together. Valuing difference. Creating space where people feel seen, safe, and supported — whether they come for conversation, food, music, or simply to be with others.”
Thanks to donor support, volunteer energy, and the Harmony Centre’s open doors, that feeling is available every Sunday — and the invitation is always open.
Solidarity Sundays are made possible through donations. If you are able, please bring a small donation to cover costs or a potluck snack. Crafts and board games are also welcome! Bring a musical instrument if you’d like to join the jam circle (beginners welcome). The room has a wheelchair ramp and is fully accessible. See you there!
Profiles is an awesome series of articles written by Harmony Centre Board member Lorraine Campbell and volunteer Tammy Allen. Taking turns as authors, they spotlight the people and community groups who bring this remarkable place to life.
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