City of waterloo neighbourhoods: strong and connected.

Get involved

Apply to the Neighbourhood Matching Fund!

Less than one month left to apply to the Neighbourhood Matching Fund (NMF). Groups of two or more Waterloo neighbours are eligible to apply for up to $7,500 to support a neighbourhood initiative. Applications are due by May 31 before 2 p.m.

Learn more about the Neighbourhood Matching Fund.

Young kids standing around a sign that reads Neighbourhood Matching Fund project. Text on top reads great neighbourhoods start with you... and funding from us!

A few more days to nominate a park!

The Neighbourhood Picnic Table program could be coming to your local park this summer! The program celebrates community spaces, brings creative works to parks and creates spaces for neighbourhood connections. Three parks will be selected to receive picnic tables through this program in 2023.

Artwork in photo by @AshleyGuenArt.

More ways to get involved

Share your thoughts and take the sidewalk snow clearing survey by May 3, 2023.

Share your vision for Waterloo and review the 2023-2026 Draft Strategic Plan by May 29, 2023.

Want to create positive change in the community? Apply for the Waterloo Region Upstream Fund by May 15, 2023.

Newcomers ages 14 to 21 are invited to join Let's Talk, a program that focuses on academic and career guidance.

Looking for volunteer opportunities? Check out available positions on Volunteer Waterloo Region or reach out to your local neighbourhood association or group. The city is also currently recruiting for Volunteer Drivers.

WR Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis is a volunteer-led group focused on helping displaced Ukrainians fleeing war and arriving in Waterloo Region.

Get inspired

See what's happening across Waterloo and find inspiration to make your neighbourhood a little more awesome. We can support your idea with things like grants and equipment. Interested? Just hit reply to this email.

Hoppy spring!

Neighbours across Waterloo planned egg hunts to connect with each other and enjoy the spring season. Everyone was egg-cited to get outside and find colourful treats hidden around their parks.

Thank you to the amazing neighbourhood volunteers for coordinating these events!

Person in a rabbit mascot outfit, outside during an easter event

Cleaning up and creating connections

Neighbours in Foxhunt, organized a community clean up to connect with neighbours and celebrate Earth Day. With the help of a mini grant, neighbours purchased refreshments and different sized gloves so everyone ccould participate.

Apply for up to $300 to support neighbourhood connections.

Kind neighbours make us smile!

Two people walking in park, one with a cane and the other with their arm around them. Text on top reads spotted, neighbourhood kindness

A neighbour shares:

"Deb is a very selfless person who sends much of her time helping others. She helps family, friends and everyone who needs her. She drives people to appointments in Toronto or Hamilton or where ever they need to go! She is always the first to volunteer to help! Whether it is visiting people in nursing or retirement communities that she doesn't really know or minding her nieces or nephews, she is always filling her time helping others!"

Is there someone doing awesome near you?

We want to recognize people who do great things, big or small, in their neighbourhood. Nominations will be accepted year-round, and every nominee will receive a thank you package.

Submit a nomination

Get in the know

Chalk Challenge on now!

From May 1-8, head outside, connect with neighbours and brighten up your neighbourhood with chalk art!

Submit photos of your chalk art for a chance to win a $50 gift card to a Waterloo business of their choice.

Spread the word and share your chalk cheer on social media and tag @CityWaterloo and your local neighbourhood:

@vistahillscommunity

@heymaryallen

@clairhillscommunityassociation

@info.uptown.west

@eastbridgena

@waterloowca

@lincolnheightsneighbourhood

@lcsa_waterloo

Get ready for the chalk challenge! May 1 to 8

Community campfire at Albert McCormick

Create Waterloo is hosting a Community Campfire at the Albert McCormick Community Centre on May 3 from 6 p.m to 8 p.m. Neighbours are invited to enjoy live music, connect with eachother, and enjoy the campfire

This event is free and open to all ages. Please note seating is not provided and bringing a blanket or lawn chair(s) is recommended.

Follow @CreateWaterloo on Instagram for more details on events like this.

Community Campfire, May 6. Live music. Campfire. Community.

More things to know!

A new water feature and shade structures are being added to the Public Square in Uptown Waterloo.

Find all the ongoing zoning change applications in the City of Waterloo.

Watch the backyard pool safety video to learn safety essentials, where to find a free safety checklist and tips on how to enjoy your pool at home.

Get out those knitting needles and crochet hooks and join us to make some poppies to be part of the Remembrance Reflections project.

Lower speed limits are on the way in Waterloo. Look for the “30 km/h” signs in school zones starting this spring, and watch for “Coming Soon” signs in your neighbourhood for local speed limit reductions.

May 27: Make your own traditional hand drum with Sohuwesyoklati in Waterloo Park.

June 29: Spectrum Annual Fundraising Gala

Learn more about reporting Hate Incidents or Discrimination: involving Islamophobia , Racism, Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

Immigration Waterloo Region shares information on community support in solidarity with Ukraine and supporting Afghan resettlement in Waterloo Region.

May Diversity Calendar

May: Asian Heritage Month

May 1-7: Canadian Mental Health Association Mental Health Week (Canada)

May 2: Twelfth Day of Ridvan (Bahá'í)

May 5: National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (Red Dress Day, Canada)

May 5: Vesak (Buddha Day) (Buddhism)

May 14: Mother's Day (Canada)

May 17 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

May 18: Feast of the Ascension (Christianity)

May 21: International Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (United Nations)

May 22: Journée nationale des patriotes (National Patriots' Day - Québec)

May 22: Victoria Day (Canada)

May 24: Declaration of the Báb (Bahá'í)

May 25-27: Shavuot (Judaism)

May 28 to June 3: National AccessAbility Week (Canada)

May: Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í)

Source: Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion's Diversity Calendar.

Thank you for reading thisedition of Neighbours helping Neighbours, a newsletter from the neighbourhoods team, with a focus on good news stories, important community updates, and local resources.

If you have ideas for resources to share or shareable stories of kindness, please send them to: neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca

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Waterloo Neighbourhoods is published throughout the year to keep residents informed about the good things happening in neighbourhoods across Waterloo. If you have any questions or comments, please call 519-747-8515 or email communications@waterloo.ca. If you’re reading Waterloo Neighbourhoods as a non-subscriber, visit our subscription page to sign up for future editions.

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