Get involved

Planning a neighbourhood event

Are you interested in planning an event for your neighbours? We created this guide to give you step-by-step instructions to help you go from planning to hosting!

Planning a neighbourhood event guide.

Coming soon: Neighbourhood Matching Fund deadline

Start brainstorming! Through the Neighbourhood Matching Fund (NMF), groups of two or more neighbours can apply for up to $7,500 in matched funds to support neighbourhood projects. The next deadline is October 17. Reach out to neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca to chat about your ideas.

Learn more about the Neighbourhood Matching Fund.

More ways to get involved

• The City of Waterloo is offering a free leadership course to become certified as a lifeguard/swim instructor.

• Nominations for the 2023 Newcomer Landlord Award are now open until September 15.

• The Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) offers grant opportunities to support 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.

• The Resilient Communities Fund is available for community-based non-profit organizations. This opportunity opens on September 25.

• The City of Waterloo's senior services team is looking for caring community members to volunteer to drive older adults to appointments and recreational programs.

• Check out the Rainbow Community Calendar to find details on SPECTRUM's groups and events.

• 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.

Pollinators galore!

Thanks to dedicated neighbours, pollinators are thriving in Lakeshore North. The pollinator garden at Pinebrook Park has become a friendly habitat for native pollinators including monarch butterflies and bees.

Photo credit: Matthew R.

Connecting and playing

Neighbours from a building in uptown Waterloo, worked together to plan a day at the park to connect with neighbours and enjoy some traditional Indian games. With support from a mini grant, organizers reserved a picnic space at the park and purchased food and supplies for the activities.

Inspired? Apply for up to $300 today to support neighbourhood connections!

A neighbour shares:

"Joanna is a shining star in our neighbourhood. She is the first person to say hello, good morning, and to welcome a new neighbour to the hood. 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 and be entered into a random draw to win a $25 gift card. The next draw is in the fall.

Get in the know

Save the date: The Belonging Expo

The Children and Youth Planning Table is hosting the annual Belonging Expo on September 28. Attend the event to learn more about how different organizations are promoting belonging in the community.

Organizers are looking for organizations that are interested in having a booth at this year's event. Submit an application online by August 25.

Day of Play at Waterloo Park

On August 12, Day of Play is coming to Waterloo Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be activities, games, adventures, and more along the Waterloo Park Promenade (near the animal pen area). A day of non-stop fun for everyone!

Learn more about the Day of Play

More things to know!

• August and September: Sign up for free youth garden workshops led by Youth in Food Systems.

• August 31: SPECTRUM is offering a virtual Rainbow Diversity Training 201 workshop. There are a limited number of free spots available!

• October 28: Join Coalition of Muslim Women for their annual fundraising event, Kindred Radiant Ladies Night Gala.

• The Immigration Partnership office is moving to a new home at 99 Regina St. South, Waterloo.

• Muslim Social Services of KW Newsletter and Annual Report are now available! Check out all the initiatives, programs and projects this organization has to offer.

• The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion has informational and educational resources online.

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

• 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.

August Diversity Calendar

August 1: Emancipation Day (Canada)

August 9: International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (United Nations)

August 13-15: Obon Festival (Japanese Buddhism)

August 15: National Acadian Day (Canada)

August 17: Marcus Garvey Day (Rastafarian)

August 23: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition (UNESCO)

August 30: Raksha Bandhan (Hinduism)

August 31: International Overdose Awareness Day

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

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