City of waterloo neighbourhoods: strong and connected.

Get involved

Mini grant = big impact!

Apply for up to $300 to support neighbourhood connections! The mini grant helps neighbours plan opportunities to have fun, share information, and meet and connect with each other.

Have an idea to connect with neighbours? Check out details on the neighbourhoods website!

Youth in Food Systems is hosting a series of youth-focused, garden-based workshops this season. Topics include composting, seed saving, soil culture and more. Workshops are on Wednesdays and Thursdays from July 19 to September 5.

Learn more about upcoming workshops

Yes written out with vegetables around it and Youth in Food Systems written underneath,

More ways to get involved

Two new spray pads are coming to Waterloo in 2024. They will be located at Eastbridge Green and Blue Beech Link. Vote on your favourite designs by July 28.

If you are 15 to 19 years old, and have an interest in Emergency Services, apply to join the Emergency Services Career Camp on September 16 and 17. Apply by July 31.

As part of the plan to improve road safety, the City of Waterloo is reducing speed limits in school zones and residential streets.

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

Students from the University of Waterloo have developed an online resource with employment and volunteer opportunities for youth. Check out the Instagram page for more details: @bridgingthegap_kw.

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.

June is for juggling!

Beechwood neighbours celebrated the end of the school year and the start of summer with a gathering to watch a talented juggler. Neighbours were able to connect and enjoy this fascinating entertainment.

Have an idea to bring neighbours together? Apply for a mini grant today.

New pollinator patch!

Through the Partners in Parks program, neighbours in Foxhunt worked together to plant a pollinator patch in Bluestream Park. With the help of a mini grant, neighbours purchased native plants and worked together to plant the garden, mulch and water.

Learn more about the Partners in Parks program.

Kind neighbours make the world go round!

Person by a door holding a loaf of bread, text on top reads spotted neighbourhood kindness

A neighbour shares:

"Connie is a wonderful person. She cares for our elderly neighbours, bringing them meals and taking them to medical appointments. When I am elderly, I hope I have someone like Connie in my neighbourhood! She greets neighbours with a warm hug and a beautiful smile. Connie is a gem and we are so lucky to live near her!"

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.

Recognize a neighbour today!

Get in the know

Know the facts!

City utilities staff rarely need to inspect the inside of a home. When we do, you will be notified by mail with instructions on booking an appointment. The letter will have official city logos and contact information of a city employee.

Be careful of people who may call you to book an appointment or appear at your door requesting to check your water valve.

City of Waterloo utilities staff always drive city-marked vehicles and carry a city badge. If you receive a call, or someone arrives at your door and you are unsure, do not book the appointment or let the person inside your home. Call our Service Centre at 519-886-2310 to confirm it is city staff.

Wake up at the museum!

Visit the City of Waterloo Museum on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for some free, family-friendly, drop-in fun! Activities are focused on the current exhibit, Cipher|Decipher.

This program is happening from Saturday, July 15 to August 26.

Learn more about Saturday mornings at Waterloo Museum.

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!

July 31: Join the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region for a family-fun, summer picnic! The event is being hosted in Waterloo Park from 12 to 4 p.m.

The Uptown Waterloo Night Market happens on Thursday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m. in the parking lot at the Main Branch of the Waterloo Public Library.

Aug 26: Prepare kids for some new responsibilities this fall and sign up for the one day Home Alone and Babysitting course.

Check out this list of road, sidewalk and trail closures and subscribe for alerts.

Take full advantage of the summer season and be sure to attend these upcoming city events.

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 and August 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)

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 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

Sign up for updates about arts and culture, recreation and active living, neighbourhood happenings, cycling, smart business, and other city news and stories.

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.

The City of Waterloo is committed to providing accessible formats and communications support for persons with disabilities. If another format would work better for you, please let us know by calling 519-747-8515 or by emailing us at communications@waterloo.ca.