Get involved

Come learn about opportunities for your neighbourhood

We're hosting our annual Food and Funds night! Come to connect with city staff and neighbours to learn about opportunities in your neighbourhood, like the new Artists in Neighbourhoods program and different grant options.

Date: February 6

Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Location: Visitor Information Centre at 10 Father David Bauer Drive.

Light snacks and beverages will be provided. Drop in any time to learn more and connect! 

Bee-come a volunteer on the Pollinator Working Group

Share your passion for pollinators and create awareness about pollinators and their habitats.

Pollinator Working Group volunteers:

• Plan and deliver educational experiences at local community events relating to native pollinators.
• Help create pollinator habitats in parks
• Attend planning meetings on the first Thursday evening of the month and a minimum of one event or stewardship activity per month.

Learn more about the Pollinator Working Group. Applications close February 11.

More ways to get involved

• Provide your feedback on the City's Indoor Community Space Master Plan by January 31.

• Explore the Energizing Life Community Fund offered by Hydro One. Applications for this grant close on January 31, 2024.

• The Ageing Well Waterloo Directory is a comprehensive list of services, programs and amenities for older adults.

• Wilfrid Laurier University and ACCKWA want learn more about the needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Waterloo Region. Complete an online survey (note the password is welcome2023).

• Check out the Responding to Hate-Motivated Incidents Guide to explore ways to support your neighbours during challenging times.

• 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.

Funds to support summer fun

Last summer, neighbours in Beechwood applied to the Neighbourhood Matching Fund (now the new Neighbourhood Fund) to host a community block party. Neighbours enjoyed crafts, entertainment, treats, and connecting with each other!

The next deadline for the Neighbourhood Fund is on February 13. Learn more about this opportunity by coming to the Food and Funds night on February 6 (details above)!

Celebrating winter with neighbours

Neighbours in Uptown North came together to celebrate winter solstice on December 21. With the help of a mini-grant, neighbours offered pizza, hot chocolate and cookies, to warm up attendees. Neighbours enjoyed time to connect and celebrate brighter days ahead.

Have an ideas to bring your neighbours together? Learn more about how a mini grant can help.

A neighbour shares:

"Jacob is a very hard working 12 year old snow shoveler, grass cutter and leaf collector. He cuts grass and shovels snow for three of our neighbours. He has been doing this since he was 9 years old!"

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 happening at the end of February.

Get in the know

Do you know your care options?

Use this new resource to help you navigate when it's best to see your primary healthcare provider, when to visit the emergency department and other local tips and resources.

www.knowyourcareoptions.ca

New drop-in program!

The City of Waterloo is offering women only drop-in swims on Saturdays from 8 to 9 p.m. at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.

For more details and to reserve a spot in advance, visit Active Waterloo.

More things to know!

• The TD Park People Grants helps build connections between people and parks. Apply for up to $2,000 by February 27.
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• Check out Know Your Care Options for information on different health care choices available during cold/flu season.

• Winter is here! Check out the City of Waterloo's snow removal website for details on snow removal, sidewalk clearing and more.

• Check out the Smart About Salt Council website for winter tips to promote safety and the environment.

• The skating rink in uptown Waterloo is open for the season! The rink is located at Waterloo Public Square (75 King St S) and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., weather dependent. Call ahead to confirm.

• On January 27, bundle up and enjoy Winterloo in uptown Waterloo.

• Did you know that the City of Waterloo now offers interpretation services in over 240 languages?

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

January Diversity Calendar

January: Alzheimer’s Awareness Month (Canada)

January: Tamil Heritage Month (Canada)

January 1: New Year’s Day

January 4: World Braille Day

January 4: National Ribbon Skirt Day

January 6: Epiphany

January 7: Christmas / Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox / Eastern)

January 13: Lohri

January 14: Orthodox New Year

January 15-18: Pongal

January 16: Martin Luther King Jr Day

January 17: Raoul Wallenberg Day

January 21: Lincoln Alexander Day

January 24: International Day of Education

January 24: World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture

January 25: Thaipusam

January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day

January 29: National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia

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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