Get involved

Sign up for Emergency Services Career Camp

The Emergency Services Career Camp is a joint camp experience brought to you by Waterloo Fire Rescue, Waterloo Regional Police Services and Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services. The camp is open to youth 15 to 19 years old who are interested in learning more about a future career in emergency services. The camp provides participants with first-hand knowledge of the duties of a police officer, firefighter or paramedic while developing emergency preparedness skills. The camp will take place from September 16 to 17.

Learn more and apply online by July 31, 2023.

More ways to get involved

• The Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant aims to ensure faith-based and cultural organizations have safe and secure community spaces to practice their faith or express their cultures and beliefs.

• The City of Waterloo Museum accepts donations of historic Waterloo items. If you with an item they wish to donate, please email museum@waterloo.ca, or call 519-885-8828.

• Save the date! The Region of Waterloo is hosting the Community Safety and Wellbeing Symposium on August 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More details to come!

• The Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) invests in community-led projects that play an essential role in creating safe spaces, empowering youth and families, supporting career pathways and addressing issues faced by our communities.

• 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.

Neighbours are busy bees

Neighbours from Westvale worked together to plant a pollinator patch in their local neighbourhood park. With the help of a mini grant, they purchased native plant species to attract and support pollinators! This new space looks bee-autiful.

Apply for a mini grant to support a neighbourhood connection opportunity in your space

Reading in Roselea Park

With the help of a mini grant, neighbours in Lincoln Heights planned the Roselea Reads event. Neighbours gathered to listen to author Lindsay Zier-Vogel read her book "Dear Street". Neighbours then participated in a love letter activity, where they reflected and wrote positive messages about things in their neighbourhood.

A neighbour shares: "Joanna is a shining star in our neighbourhood. She is the first person to say hello or good morning, and always warmly welcomes new neighbours to the area. She is kind and compassionate. I believe our neighbourhood wouldn't feel the same without Jo in it. She brings a sense of belonging, warmth, and home to everyone she meets. She is such a vital part of our neighbourhood! She is incredible."

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.

All nominees will also be entered into a random draw to win prizes throughout the year! The next draw will happen in September.

Get in the know

Gathering Spaces Map

This map features different indoor and outdoor spaces across Waterloo where neighbours can come together for meetings, events and more. Know of a spot not listed here? Feel free to add it!

Use the Gathering Spaces Map

Community Picnic at Waterloo Park

Spend the afternoon in Waterloo Park with local artists, food trucks and giant games at the July 1 Community Picnic.

Time: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Location: West side of Waterloo Park near the Bandshell.

Learn more about parking and directions to the July 1: Community Picnic

More things to know!

• Reep Green Solution's new blog post shares tips for creating a pollinator-friendly world.

• Review the In The Loop magazine for details on summer programs and events happening at the Waterloo Public Library.

• Construction is happening across the City. Check out a list of road, sidewalk and trail closures and subscribe for alerts.

• Muslim Social Services of KW (MSS) is offering weekly children's summer camps from July 10 to August 4. They also have full or partial subsidies available.

• Stay up to date with what is happening at Waterloo City Council. Follow the City on social media for regular updates, or consider watching council videos (live or recorded) on City of Waterloo Youtube channel

• Find all the summer events happening in the City of Waterloo.

• 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.

July Diversity Calendar

July 1: Canada Day

July 3: Asalha Puja (Dharma Day) (Buddhism)

July 9: Nunavut Day 

July 9: Martyrdon of the Báb (Bahá'í)

July 14: National Non-Binary Persons Day

July 18: Nelson Mandela Day (United Nations)

July 19: First day of Muharram (Islam)



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

Thank you for reading this edition 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