Immigrant & International Student Survey Results

Are you assisting the Ukrainian community in Waterloo Region?

This CUAET support resources provides key updates on status, permits, and service eligibility for CUAET visa holders as changes take effect on March 31, 2025.

Oct. 27, Nov. 10 & 24, Dec. 8, Jan. 19, Feb. 23 & Mar. 23, 10AM - 12PM, 85 Queen St. N, Kitchener | Free

Elder's Circle

Indigenous and newcomer Elders aged 60+ are invited to join a welcoming Circle to share stories, cultural traditions and life experiences while building meaningful connections. Guided by a Haudenosaunee Elder and an Elder immigrant from Latin America, participants will have opportunities to learn from one another through storytelling, creative activities, conversations and shared meals.

Learn more

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 11AM & 2PM, Online | Free

Newcomers 2026 Top Trends webinar

How are newcomers in Canada connecting, consuming media, and choosing essential services?

Join MTM analysts for a webinar exploring key findings from the latest Top Trends report, including newcomers’ digital habits, use of artificial intelligence, social media consumption, and factors influencing their choice of banks and cellphone providers.

The session will share insights to help organizations better understand and engage with newcomer communities.

Register here - English session at 2PM

Register here - French session at 11AM

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5:30PM - 8:30PM, Online | Free

Free Virtual Grant Writing Workshop

The Government of Ontario is hosting a free virtual grant writing workshop for beginners, new nonprofits, volunteer-led groups and grassroots organizations in Hamilton, Kitchener, Waterloo, Wilmot and Wellesley.

Participants will learn about grant writing with guidance from Regional Development Advisors Julie Jardel and Andrea Hopkins.

Register here

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 7PM - 9PM, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex | Free

Neighbourhood Summit

The Neighbourhood Summit is an annual event for residents across Waterloo to learn, share ideas and talk about neighbourhoods. Registration closes on Wednesday, October 28. This year's event will focus on neighbourhood event planning and coordination. 

Register here

Saturday, Nov. 7, 4PM - 6PM, 1620 Franklin Blvd, Cambridge | Free

Harmony for Hope

The Alliance for CancerCare Equity (ACCE) is hosting a free community evening of music, stories of hope and cancer awareness, while raising support for patients facing financial barriers to cancer care.

Everyone is welcome.

Register here

Free fall programs at the Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities

The Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities at Wilfrid Laurier University is offering free 8 week programs starting the week of October 19.



Programs include:

• Active Integration for newcomer women ages 18+ with free childcare available.
• Sports Galore, for children ages 9 to 12.
• Movin’ & Groovin’, for children ages 8 to 14 with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
• Thriving Together, for parents and caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Explore fall programs

Introducing The Village Parenting Centre



After 40 years of serving the community, The Pregnancy Centre has officially become The Village Parenting Centre. The new name better reflects the full scope of the organization’s work supporting Waterloo Region families navigating pregnancy and the early years of raising children from 0 – 4 years old. The Village believes strong communities grow when families have access to compassionate care. By collaborating with community partners, the organization helps parents access the practical resources and emotional support they need to thrive.

To advance this mission, The Village is inviting the community to join Waterloo Region’s largest diaper drive. From October 1st to 31st, the Diaper Our City campaign aims to collect 500 boxes of diapers and raise $30,000 for families with limited resources. Every contribution will help provide children with the diapers they need to stay clean, dry, and healthy.

Ontario Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant (2026–27)

The Ontario Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant provide funding to eligible faith-based, cultural, 2SLGBTQQIA+, First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Indigenous organizations to help protect community spaces from hate-motivated incidents. Organizations that received or applied for funding in previous years are welcome to apply again.

Application deadline: November 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Submit your application now!

BuildHER Future Program: Newcomer Women in Construction

BuildHER Future is a free skills and career development program helping internationally educated newcomer women advance their careers in Ontario’s construction sector.

The program is designed for women with backgrounds in engineering, architecture, construction, IT, finance, project management and other technical fields.

Participants can access industry-specific training, leadership development, employment support and hands-on learning opportunities to strengthen their skills, gain Canadian work experience and connect with potential employers.

Applications are open

Promotion of Bilingual Services

The Promotion of Bilingual Services subcomponent encourages non-governmental organizations to provide services in English and French, and to share their best practices through innovative projects or initiatives.

Priority is given to projects and initiatives that develop delivery models for bilingual services (action plan, policy development, pilot projects in organizations and businesses, feeder projects, mechanisms that can be exported to other organizations, etc.).



Submit your nominations by November 15, 2026 

Learn more at Promotion of Bilingual Services – Promotion of Linguistic Duality - Canada.ca

Recognize the volunteers who make a lasting impact in your community by nominating them for the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards!

This award honors individuals for their ongoing commitment to an organization. Adults are recognized for five to 65 years of continuous service with a single organization, while youth (24 and under) are recognized for two or more years of continuous service.

Submit your nominations by November 15, 2026 

Learn more at Honours and awards: volunteering | ontario.ca

Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund is now accepting applications

The Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) is a $500 million program that provides funding to municipalities, Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations and (for new builds only) for-profit organizations through two program streams for projects that:

• repair or upgrade existing sport and recreation facilities (Stream 1)
• build new and transformative sport and recreation facilities (Stream 2)

Submit your application by December 22, 2026 

Learn more at Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund

Want to learn more?
Join the online information session on August 26, 2026, at 11 a.m. to learn about the fund and application process. A recording of the webinar will be available later.

Vital Ideas®: Social Infrastructure and Black Communities

Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) has released a new report exploring how Waterloo Region can build and sustain spaces, networks, and resources that support Black communities.

The report highlights the importance of community connections, while examining ongoing barriers to belonging, safety, and opportunity. It also shares local perspectives, community stories, and practical actions to help build a more inclusive region.

Read the report

Samedi 31 octobre de 12 h 30 à 15 h 30, The Aud, 400 East Ave, Kitchener

AFKW Halloween

L'AFKW et ses partenaires vous invitent à un après-midi festif pour petits et grands, entre les deux patinoires du mémorial The Aud. Au programme :

• maquillage sur place ;
• décoration de biscuits, coloriage, modelage et bricolages créatifs ;
• concours de sculpture de citrouilles ;
• concours de défilé de costumes : n'oubliez pas votre déguisement !



⚠️ Les citrouilles sont disponibles en quantité limitée. Réservez la vôtre dès votre inscription !

Inscription

Guide d'établissement pour les communautés francophones de l'Ontario

Ce guide se veut une source d'information pour le personnel de première ligne des prestataires de services de langue anglaise afin qu'il puisse plus facilement orienter les clients francophones vers les services de langue française dans leur zone géographique. 

Plus d'informations : Settling-in-French-in-Ontario - Settlement-Guide.pdf

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund provides financial support to eligible businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations for projects that promote economic growth, attract investment, improve productivity and create jobs in southwestern Ontario, including Waterloo Region.

Next application period: November 3, 2026, to January 21, 2027.

Learn more and apply

Have Your Say: 2026 Workforce Survey

The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin is inviting residents to share their employment experiences and perspectives through the 2026 Workforce Survey, open from October 5 to 31, 2026.

Whether you’re employed, looking for work, preparing to enter the workforce or not currently seeking employment, your input can help identify workforce needs and inform future programs and services across Waterloo Region, Wellington County, Guelph and Dufferin County.

The survey takes approximately 10 to 30 minutes to complete. Responses are confidential, and participants can choose to enter a prize draw.

Complete the 2026 Workforce Survey