Celebrating 100 editions of this newsletter!

Can you believe we've been in your inbox 100 times? To celebrate, this issue of the newsletter will recap five exciting milestones that have happened since the newsletter started in 2019.

Thank you to all the neighbours, volunteers and organizations for the amazing things you do!

1. Shared over 225 stories of neighbourhood initiatives

Each edition of the newsletter showcases events, projects and activities put together by Waterloo neighbours to support community connections and placemaking. These initiatives are often supported by neighbourhood grants and include things like:

• art projects
• community gardens and plantings
• movie nights
• block parties
• neighbourhood picnics
• projects in parks
• and so much more!

Thank you to all of the dedicated neighbourhood volunteers for planning these initiatives. We hope you continue to be inspired by the ideas included in this newsletter.

The photos here highlight three neighbourhood projects (from left to right): the Lakeshore North Neighbourhood Picnic, the Vista Hills Ramadan Event and a neighbourhood potluck hosted on Amberwood Drive. Way to go neighbours!

2. Countless neighbourhood connections and learning

The neighbourhoods team hosts opportunities to bring neighbours together to learn, network and have fun. Events include learning workshops, information nights, and the annual Neighbourhood Summit.

This year, the Neighbourhood Summit will be on November 9 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex Community Pavilion. Come to learn about creating and supporting inclusive neighbourhoods. Attendees will have an opportunity to connect, brainstorm, and complete a craft together.

Sign up now to reserve your spot. Light food, refreshments, childcare, interpretation services and transportation support are available.

Register for the 2023 Neighbourhood Summit.

3. Celebrated over 180 kind neighbours

Each newsletter highlights a heartwarming story of neighbourhood kindness. Some neighbours help with yard work, while others share yummy treats or are constant friendly faces in the community. All of these kind-hearted neighbours make Waterloo a special place to live.

Since the Neighbourhood Kindness Program started in 2021, over 180 neighbours have been nominated. Thank you for recognizing kindness and promoting neighbourliness in Waterloo.

Want to nominate a kind neighbour? All nominees will receive a thank you package from the City of Waterloo and will be entered to win a random $25 gift card giveaway.

Since the launch of the newsletter in 2019, the neighbourhoods team has supported over 165 neighbourhood initiatives through the Mini Grant for Neighbours and the Neighbourhood Matching Fund (NMF) programs. These two programs provide neighbours with funding to support activities, events and projects that encourage neighbourhood connection, identity, and placemaking.

Many exciting initiatives have been supported, including Halloween events, community gardens, neighbourhood markets, chess sessions, new playground equipment, celebrations and more.

PS: The next Neighbourhood Matching Fund deadline is coming up on Oct 17.

5. Numerous new programs to make neighbourhoods more awesome

Over the past three years, the neighbourhoods team has introduced a number of programs to support neighbours in different ways. Some new programs include Artists in Neighbourhoods and the Block Connectors programs.

The Artists in Neighbourhoods program brings together local artists with neighbours to create temporary art projects right in their neighbourhoods. The program creates opportunities for the development of art and enhances neighbours connection to their neighbourhood.

The Block Connector program supports neighbourhood leaders in building connections with neighbours. With support from staff, Block Connectors host events, plan activities and lead projects that support neighbourhood development.

Stay tuned for more neighbourhood programs in the future!

Important things to know

• Oct 17: The Neighbourhood Matching Fund (NMF) deadline closes on October 17. Connect with neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca to chat about your ideas to support community connections.

• Oct 19: Join Waterloo Region Community Foundation for a webinar to learn about their the 2023 Vital Signs report focused on Affordable Housing.

• The Friends of Waterloo Park is fundraising to add musical elements to the refurbished Father David Bauer Drive playground in Waterloo Park.

• Young leaders wanted! Sign up for the Level Up: Social Justice Skill Building program for 9-12 year olds and learn about local issues you can get involved with today! This new program starts on October 23.

• Pat the Dog is hosting Femme Folkfest and wants to bring art programming into Waterloo neighbourhoods. If you are interested in this opportunity, connect with neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca.

• Check out these tips for supporting accessible and inclusive trick-or-treating this fall.

• REEP Green Solution's Zero Waste Challenge invites you to try and fit all your single-use waste into a mason jar for 7, 14 or 30 days.

• Does your organization offer services for migrant workers? Fill out the Temporary Resident Services Survey to help develop a resource for migrant workers in Waterloo Region.

• Fall is coming and leaves are falling! Find details about loose leaf collection in Waterloo.

• Treat accessibly! Learn more about how to make Halloween more accessible in your neighbourhood.

• The Annual Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival is happening from December 1 to 18. Have suggestions for films or filmmakers focused on themes of migration, immigrants, refugees and unique contributions migrants, please reach of out to asyed@regionofwaterloo.ca.

• The Resilient Communities Fund is a grant that supports community-based organizations that deliver programs and services in Ontario. Applications are due by October 25.

• The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) supports the improvement of physical conditions for arts, heritage culture and creative innovation.

October Diversity Calendar

October: Islamic Heritage Month

October 1: International Day of Older Persons (United Nations)

October 4: National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (Canada)

October 5: World Teachers' Day (UNESCO)

October 6: Shemini Atzeret (Judaism)

October 7-8: Simchat Torah (Judaism)

October 9: Thanksgiving Day (Canada)

October 10: World Mental Health Day (WHO)

October 11: International Day of the Girl Child (United Nations)

October 11: National Coming Out Day (Canada)

October 15-23: Navaratri (Hinduism)

October 16: Birth of the Báb (Bahá'í)

October 17: Birth of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í)

October 24: Dussehra (Hinduism)

October 31: Karva Chauth (Hinduism)

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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