City of waterloo neighbourhoods: strong and connected.

Get involved

Block connectors bring neighbours together

Block connectors help to support neighbourhood connections on their street, block, neighbourhood, floor or building. With support from the City, volunteers can plan activities and projects that encourage neighbourhood connections.

Learn more about being a Block Connector.

Volunteer at Lumen

The City of Waterloo is looking for volunteers to help support the Lumen Festival on September 23. Support is needed throughout the event and for set-up and take-down.

Learn more about volunteering for Lumen.

Apply for the Racial Equity Fund

The Waterloo Region Community Foundation is currently accepting applications to their Racial Equity Fund. There is approximately $300,000 available for organizations that are led by and serve people across Waterloo Region who are Indigenous, Black and people of colour.

Learn more and apply before the September 4, 2023 deadline.

Image of community members smiling together, text saying 'racial equity fund'

More ways to get involved

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

The Region of Waterloo is hosting engagement sessions to help develop a new Economic Development Strategy and Talent Attraction, Retention and Reskilling Plan.

The KW4 Ontario Health Team is developing a Strategic Plan to guide their work over the next five years. Complete the survey by September 1 to provide your feedback.

The Youth in Recreation Fund supports organizations that encourage participation in healthy and safe community recreation activities for youth in Waterloo Region.

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.

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.

Enjoying the sunshine together

The Uptown North Neighbourhood Association partnered with a local social organization to plan a community barbeque. While enjoying the sunshine, neighbours connected and spent time together listening to live music, playing games and enjoying yummy food.

Thank you to all the volunteers that worked together to make this event such a success.

All sorts of neighbourhood fun

The Westvale Community Association (WCA) hosted their annual summer event on June 24. With food trucks, games, a magician, balloons, face painting and a local artist, there was something fun for all neighbours to enjoy.

Thank you to WCA for all your efforts organizing this gathering!

Kind neighbours are the best!

Handpainted sign on wooden fence that reads Be kind

A neighbour shares:

"Sandra is an important volunteer in our community. As the president of our homes association, she is always putting the needs of community members above her own and never complains about it. She plans and hosts community events and makes sure our community pool is always operational. Sandra's efforts were especially pivotal during summer 2020 when the neighborhood needed a leader who could find ways for us to come together during Covid. Sandra is a model for the rest of us - showing us the importance of giving back, especially in our own communities."

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.

Recognize a neighbour today!

Get in the know

Get active this fall

The fall Active Waterloo Guide is now available. This guide provides details on recreation and leisure programs offered by the City of Waterloo.

Subscribe to the seasonal newsletter to get reminders and never miss a registration date!

Find a spot to gather

Use the Gathering Spaces Map to find spaces to connect with neighbours. The map includes details on indoor and outdoor spaces where you can host events, meetings and more.

Spaces on this map have been submitted by community members throughout Waterloo. Submit an online form to add new spaces to the map!

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.

Check out this article about Canada's first national bike map and how it will help cyclists.

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 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

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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.