Get involved

Become a block connector!

Block connectors are neighbours that help bring the community together. With support from the City, these volunteers build neighbourly connections by sharing information and planning connection opportunities.

Learn more and sign up to be a block connector online.

Have questions about this opportunity? Hit reply to this email.

On June 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. we’re delighted to bring back the Waterloo Service Centre open house!

This family-friendly event is packed full of fun activities and offers a behind-the-scenes peek at the Service Centre. Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with trucks and other heavy equipment.

There will also be face painting, games and a tasty barbecue (cash only) - with proceeds to Supportive Housing of Waterloo Region (SHOW).

More ways to get involved

• The Region of Waterloo is developing a strategic plan. Get involved and share what priorities matter to you.

• June 13: Join a community conversation about youth wellness hubs. Enjoy a light dinner and share your voice on how to create these hubs in the 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.

• Stay up to date on projects happening across the City of Waterloo by signing up and subscribing to Engage Waterloo.

• Neighbourhood groups are often looking for volunteers to help deliver activities for neighbours. Consider connecting and volunteering with a group in your neighbourhood.



• 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.

One more post about the Chalk Challenge!

Throughout the first week of May, neighbours created chalk art in their neighbourhoods as part of the Chalk Challenge. There were so many great submissions, that another feature was needed!

Featured art submitted by Kirti.

Stay tuned for the next Chalk Challenge next spring! Follow @citywaterloo on Instagram to stay up to date on city events and activities.

Celebrating Mother's Day with neighbours

A neighbourhood Mother's Day celebration brought families together this May in Lakeshore South. With the help of a mini grant, Megan, the lead organizer, recruited community members to celebrate moms and bring local families together for food, crafts and connection! 

Have a fun neighbourhood idea too?

Apply for a mini grant!

A neighbour shares:

"Collet and her family have been a huge support to us over the years, but especially in the past year as we have gone through some major life changes. Always eager for a friendly chat, she provides a much needed ear or shoulder when it's needed most. We have been lucky to not only have her as a neighbour, but to call her a friend."

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

List of event equipment rental businesses

The neighbourhoods team is creating a list of local businesses that offer event equipment for rent. This list will help make it easier for neighbours to easily find equipment to support their events.

To be included on the list, businesses can submit their information through this online form. Staff will review the information submitted and create the list. Interested in learning more? Find more details online or connect with neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca. 

Request a please slow down sign

'Slow down' signs are one way that neighbours can encourage safe driving in their neighbourhoods.

Lawn signs are available for pick-up at Waterloo Service Centre and RIM Park. For large neighbourhood orders, complete this online form to request signs for your neighbourhood.

Getting active this summer

Check out all of the summer programs available in the program guide or on ActiveWaterloo. Some programs happening this summer include:

• daily or weekly swim lessons
• Canada Day and back-to-school sign workshops
• beginners sewing and pencil sketching
• cookie decorating workshops for kids and adults
• ukulele for all ages
• August Power Skating clinics
• CAN-BIKE clinics
• Game ON, badminton and table tennis drop-in
• 20+ summer fitness programs

City program registration opens June 7 (active living), June 9 (CARL sports leagues) and June 21 (swim) for summer! Be sure to register early as spots can go quickly. Add your favourite programs to the Wish List in advance, and then add to cart quickly and easily on registration day.

More things to know!

• City of Waterloo splash pads and spray pads are opening up on June 3. They will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• June 6: Reelword Film Festival is hosting a free showing of On the Fence and Unarmed Verses, followed by an informal discussion about important topics such as housing, home ownership and community.

• June 10: Open Streets returns to the streets in uptown Waterloo. Watch live performances and mural painting, browse through the art market, and join in on the fun and games.

• Spectrum and community partners are hosting a series of Pride Month events and activities that both celebrate members of our 2SLGBTQ+ communities and promote equal rights and visibility.

• The Waterloo Public Library offers more than just books, check out all the cool things you can borrow, including explore nature kits, museum passes, vinyl records, and more!

• Gardening season is in full swing! Check out Reep Green Solution's Renter's Guide to Planting a Pollinator Garden.

• Looking to participate in research studies? Register for the Self-regulation, Emotion and Aging lab’s participant database at Wilfrid Laurier University!

• 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.

June Diversity Calendar

June - Indigenous History Month

June - Pride Month

June - 5 World Environment Day (United Nations)

June - 18 Father's Day (Canada)

June - 19 Juneteenth (USA)

June - 20 World Refugee Day (United Nations)

June - 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day (Canada)

June - 24 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (Québec)

June - 29 Eid al-Adha (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