Get involved

Chalk Challenge is coming!

Two more weeks until the Chalk Challenge! Dig out that sidewalk chalk and start brainstorming creative ideas to brighten up your neighbourhood. Share your creations on social media and tag the City of Waterloo and your local neighbourhood group.

You can submit photos of your artwork for a chance to win a $50 gift card to a Waterloo business of your choice. A winner will be randomly selected.

The challenge runs May 4 to 11.

Apply for up to $7,500 to support neighbourhood projects

The Neighbourhood Fund supports projects that help neighbours develop connections, foster a sense of belonging and create opportunities for placemaking. The deadline to apply for the next round is May 29 at 2 p.m.

This grant has supported outdoor movie nights, projects in parks, block parties and more!

Learn more about the Neighbourhood Fund.

More ways to get involved

• May 2: Join us for this year's State of the City and hear from Mayor McCabe about the challenges, opportunities and ambitions of Waterloo. The event will be at Lazaridis Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $60, with all proceeds going to Supportive Housing Waterloo.

• The City of Waterloo is interested in gathering ideas from the community on how to increase participation and representation on Waterloo's advisory committees. Share your opinions and ideas on how we can improve our advisory committees.

• Looking for more ways to be involved in Waterloo Region? Check out Volunteer Waterloo Region's volunteering page to find new volunteer opportunities.

• The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion has informational and educational resources online. Explore these resources and find information to help support an inclusive community.

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.

Kind neighbours are kind to the planet

There are many ways to be kind to neighbours and the planet this Earth Day! Some ideas include:

• Picking up litter from around your neighbourhood by participating in a planned community clean-up.

• Connecting with neighbours and sharing helpful sustainability information.

• Planting vibrant rain gardens and native pollinator plants to beautify your front yard (and neighbourhood!)

• Encouraging clothing and toy swaps with neighbours rather than buying new items.

• Biking, walking, taking the LRT or carpooling with neighbours to get around your neighbourhood.

Hopping into spring!

Over the long weekend, neighbours in the Eastbridge, Uptown West, and Laurelwood neighbourhoods gathered to host egg hunts at their local parks. Thank you to the neighbours who put these fun events together!

Interested in hosting a connection for your neighbours? Reach out to neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca to get started!

Find places to gather with neighbours

The first step in planning an event often involves finding a space to host it. Check out the Gathering Spaces Map to find details on indoor and outdoor spaces to host events and come together with neighbours.

This map is updated by submissions from the community. If you have a space to add or change, complete this online form to let us know.

Get in the know

National Volunteer Week

April 14 to 20 is National Volunteer Week, and we want to say thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who work to make Waterloo such a great place to live. From outdoor rinks to block connectors, neighbourhood associations and more, we wouldn't be the same without you!

Are you interested in finding more ways to volunteer in your neighbourhood? Reach out to your local neighbourhood group to see if they need volunteers to help plan or run events.

Check out the City of Waterloo's volunteering page to learn about the different ways you can volunteer across the City.

Apply for a Sports and Recreation Grant

The Sports and Recreation Grant program supports eligible not-for-profit and community organizations that encourage participation in a wide range of activities. If you are interested in applying for a Sports and Recreation grant, reach out to sportsandrecreation@waterloo.ca.

The deadline to apply is May 14 at 2 p.m.

More things to know!

• Check out the Waterloo Public Library's website for details on upcoming programs, activities and events.

• The Clay and Glass Gallery offers different events and programs for the community to participate in.

• 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.

• Waterloo Region has a long history of welcoming refugees and refugee claimants. Immigration Waterloo Region shares information on community support for refugees living in our region.

April Diversity Calendar

April 1:  Easter Monday (Western) 

April 2: World Autism Awareness Day  

April 2: National Caregiver Day  

April 6: International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 

April 6: International Asexuality Day 

April 7: International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda 

April 7: World Health Day 

April 8: Birthday of Buddha 

April 9: Day of Valour / Araw ng Kagitingan  

April 9: Ugadi / Yugad 

April 9 (sundown) – 10: Eid Al-Fitr 

April 10: International Day of Pink 

April 13: Vaisakhi / Baisakhi 

April 13: Sinhala and Tamil New Year 

April 14: Vishu 

April 14 – 20: National Volunteer Week 

April 17: Ram Navami 

April 20 (sundown) – May 02: Ridván 

April 21: World Creativity and Innovation Day 

April 21 – 27: Canadian Fertility Awareness Week 

April 22: Earth Day 

April 22 (sundown) – 30: Passover / Pesach 

April 23: St. George’s Day 

April 24: Armenian Genocide Memorial Day 

April 24 – 26: Theravada New Year  

April 25: Girls in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Day 

April 28: Palm Sunday (Orthodox / Eastern)  

April 28: Day of Mourning  

April 28: World Day for Health and Safety at Work  

April 29 – May 04: Great and Holy Week (Orthodox / Eastern) 

April 30: Journey to Freedom Day  

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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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.

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