City of waterloo neighbourhoods: strong and connected.

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As we enter a new year we're giving this newsletter a bit of a refresh.

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Get involved

Bee-come a volunteer on the Pollinator Working Group

Share your passion for pollinators! Bee-part of our efforts to support pollinators by volunteering to host planting events and other outreach initiatives.

Learn more about the Pollinator Working Group and apply by January 29.

Pollinator working group, 4 people outside at a booth.

Get active with your neighbours

Manifesting more movement or learning a new hobby this year? There are many programs and classes for all-ages to explore. Ask a neighbour to join you at one of these new programs this year:

All ages Ukulele
FREE! Exploring Worldwide Art Forms – Ukrainian Folk Art
Adult arts including Multimedia Sampler, Impressionistic Landscapes in Acrylic, Urban Scenes in Ink and Watercolour
90+ fitness programs including Functional fitness, Healthy Hips workshops, Pilates

View the ActiveWaterloo Guide (PDF) or find programs on ActiveWaterloo.

Get inspired

Winter holiday connections

Many neighbours in Waterloo came together over the holiday season.

In Uptown North, a Block Connector organized a cookie exchange and neighbours got to share delicious treats. In Lakeshore, neighbours came together for a free breakfast - there was even a special appearance from Santa!

Both of these events were supported by a mini grant, which funds up to $300 for a project that promotes neighbourhood connections. Inspired to do something similar this winter? Learn more and apply for a mini grant.

Santa with candy canes, people sitting at tables.

More things to inspire you

Plan a night of skating and dancing with your neighbours! Every Wednesday in January and February is Skate Night Date Night in Waterloo Public Square with a live DJ and apple cider.
If you're looking for an indoor space to meet up with neighbours, check out our Gathering Space map to find the best location for you.

Get in the know

Neighbourhood rink reminders

If you plan on heading to an outdoor rink, please remember:

The rinks are volunteer-run
They are weather-dependent
You can check on the rink status, find the closest outdoor rink in your neighbourhood, and find rink schedules on the outdoor rink webpage.
Don't forget about our rink rules so we can make sure everyone is being safe and having fun!

2 people on a outdoor rink, playing hockey.

The City is hiring for Summer 2025!

If you know someone looking for a summer job, let them know there are many exciting job positions open at the city, from summer camps, programming, aquatics and more!

Check out all the job postings and apply today! There will also be a summer job fair on Wednesday, January 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.

More things to know!

We're creating a new process streamline development approvals more quickly in the uptown area. Learn more about this project or register for the Jan 22 information session.
Check out the Waterloo Public Library's website for details on upcoming programs, activities and events.
Spectrum Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community space offers a variety of programs and services, check out their website for more information.
Learn more about reporting Hate Incidents or Discrimination: involving Islamophobia, Racism, Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.
Waterloo Region has a long history of welcoming refugees and refugee claimants. Immigration Waterloo Region shares information on community support for refugees living in our region.

January Diversity Calendar

January 1: New Year’s Day

January 2: Vasant Panchami

January 4: World Braille Day

January 4: National Ribbon Skirt Day

January 6: Epiphany

January 6: Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti

January 7: Christmas / Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox / Eastern)

January 13: Lohri

January 14: Orthodox New Year

January 14-17: Pongal 

January 17: Raoul Wallenberg Day

January 20: Martin Luther King Jr Day

January 21: Lincoln Alexander Day

January 24: International Day of Education

January 24: World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture

January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day

January 29: National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia

January 29: Sadeh

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month (Canada)

Tamil Heritage Month (Canada)

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

Waterloo Neighbourhoods is published throughout the year to keep residents informed about the good things happening in neighbourhoods across Waterloo. If you’re reading Waterloo Neighbourhoods as a non-subscriber, visit our subscription page to sign up for future editions.

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