Friends House is the home of the Toronto Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends and a meeting place for non-profit organizations who share the Quaker concerns for social justice, non-violence, non-discrimination, community and stewardship. It is the home of the Toronto Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers. Its main purpose is to serve the needs of the Toronto Quaker community. It is also available as an affordable rental space for non-profit organizations whose aims are sympathetic with Quaker values. Quakers have no written creed, but the belief in "that of God" in everyone has led them to take up causes which accord respect and dignity to those rejected or neglected by society. They have played an active role in prison reform, freedom of religion, in the abolition of slavery in the 17th century and in making education equally available to everyone. They founded "The Retreat" in York, England in 1796, pioneering the moral treatment of those with mental health needs. Present day actions include discerning the ethics of applied biotechnology, taking a stand for the rights of First Nations, seeking the spiritual roots of the environmental crisis and working with prisoners at the Don Jail.
