Life Spin

About Life Spin

Life*Spin is a nonprofit community organization located on Dundas Street in the Old East Village of London, Ontario. It serves the city's low-income community, specifically focusing on providing information and support for individuals surviving on low incomes to help them achieve self-sufficiency. The organization describes itself as a pillar of empowerment that offers a safe, non-judgmental space for self-development and community-building. The organization provides a variety of front-line services and resources, including a free income tax clinic, support for applying for benefits, and mediation services. They also offer homelessness prevention programs, public legal education resources, and a Community Food Box program that delivers free boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income households. Additional offerings include a free store, a publications library featuring guidebooks and videos, and an Affordable Housing Investment Fund. Community members can also access "The Living Room," an accessible resource space for group events, and the Old East Common, a heritage garden and play area. Founded in 1989 by a group of sole-support mothers seeking to alleviate poverty, Life*Spin has operated for over 25 years as a Community Economic Development organization. It is currently overseen by Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder Jacqueline Thompson and Co-Executive Director Meagen Ciufo. The organization emphasizes long-term, strategic solutions to systemic poverty through advocacy, education, and community foundations. They also manage the Woodman Disaster Relief Fund to support those affected by the 2019 gas line explosion in the Old East Village. Life*Spin offers various ways for the community to get involved, including volunteer opportunities and a donation program for their free store. While the office is open for specific hours during the week, some services are available by appointment. The Community Food Box program utilizes a registration system for deliveries coordinated by On the Move Organics.