For alumna Ebunoluwa Soneye, the Cathedral Annex was more than a school outreach program. It was a lifeline.
Nestled behind Cathedral High School, the Annex has quietly served students and their families for two decades, providing not only basic necessities but also something equally important: hope.
Reflecting on her family's experience, Soneye credited the Annex with helping them find belonging during a difficult transition to life in Canada.
"The Annex was one of the first safe spaces that my family and I found in Hamilton. Myself and my family are a real testament to all the love that has been put into this space. When you're a person who's marginalized in any way in society, you need a lot of help to survive, and there's not a lot of places that offer help in a way that makes you feel like you're one of them. Cathedral, and largely through the Annex, created that for us."
She also recognized the lasting impact the Annex has had on her career as a social worker.
"The heart I have for the work I do is largely inspired by the work that was done in here."
On May 15, Soneye’s testimonial was heard as part of the Annex’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Bringing together past and present staff, students, volunteers, and supporters, the gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on two decades of service, share stories of lives impacted, and celebrate a ministry that continues to transform the Cathedral community.
Co-founder Marilyn Pavao reflected on the history of the Annex, which evolved with the help of Ken John and Miryt Tambasco.
In its early days, donated uniforms were stored in garbage bags, she said, and while a practical solution, it lacked the dignity students deserved. Determined to change that, the team transformed a vacant storefront on the property into a welcoming uniform store. Over time, the program expanded to include clothing, household goods, food, school supplies, hygiene products, and other essentials, all provided free of charge to students and their families.
Through annual initiatives such as Halloween for Hunger and the school's year-end carnival, as well as the generosity of staff, individual donors and community partners, the Annex receives the funding and donations needed to keep its shelves stocked and its programs running year-round.
Today, under the leadership of Educational Assistants Peggy Murphy and Andrew Simmons, the Annex also provides opportunities for students with special needs who spend part of their day in the program. Together, students work to develop essential life skills, including sorting donations, folding and laundering clothing, organizing uniforms, maintaining cleanliness, and caring for the space around them.
“This is the Gospel lived daily,” said Principal Kevin Monaco.
Just step inside the modest space and its impact is immediately evident. Names and photographs of those who have ever played a vital role in shaping the outreach line the walls, serving as quiet reminders of the “why” behind its mission.
“Twenty years ago, they were brave enough and bold enough to truly see a need,” said Monaco, acknowledging the Annex’s founders.
“They saw students carrying burdens no young person should carry alone. They saw families experiencing food insecurity, housing instability, or, as newcomers to Canada, trying to rebuild their lives while navigating unfamiliar systems. They understood that these realities do not stop at the school door, they arrive each morning with our students.”
“And rather than looking away, they responded, not only with words, but with courage, creativity, and compassion.”
“Their response became our Annex.”
“But the Annex was never about charity alone. It was, and continues to be, about justice, inclusion, and ensuring that every student can come to school ready to learn, belong, and succeed.”
