Get involved

Two more weeks to apply for the Neighbourhood Fund

Summer is fast approaching! Have an idea for a neighbourhood project that could use up to $7,500 in support? Apply with a group of two or more neighbours by May 29 at 2 p.m.

Learn more about the Neighbourhood Fund

Last call: neighbourhood picnic table program

Nominate your neighbourhood park for a picnic table! One park will be selected to receive picnic tables with artwork from local artists. Nominations are due by May 19.

Want to see what parks across the city have a picnic table through this program? Use our Neighbourhood Picnic Table Program map

Pictured: Brighton Park picnic table by Ella Dowhaniuk

More ways to get involved

• Did you know that you can borrow event equipment for neighbourhood events? We have things like lawn games, tents, tables, outdoor movie equipment and more! Interested? Reply to this email to start the process.

• 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 reply to this email.

Adventure4Change Community Cultural Event

On May 2, Adventure4Change held a Community Cultural event, with the help of a Neighbourhood Fund grant. They shared some of the great work they have been doing in the Sunnydale Neighbourhood.

The event included a fashion show of handmade clothes by mothers in the community, a homemade film and a certificate from the Region of Waterloo recognizing their 20 years of service to the community.

Thank you Adventure 4 Change and all the neighbours involved for the great work!

Neighbourhood kindness goes a long way

A neighbour shares:

"Frances and Roseanne have been exceptionally kind to me and my partner since we moved into the neighbourhood in September. We were nervous being a young gay couple moving onto a street of established families with higher incomes than our own. We felt a little out of place moving here. Frances and Roseanne are always lovely to talk to, knitting something for someone, and being a friendly presence on the street.

I can't keep up with all the nice things they do for us, whether it's something for the birds and squirrels in my yard that they know I love, gingerbread cookies, snowcones in the back yard or an invitation to come in for coffee and a doughnut. Our other neighbours have also been very welcoming and kind. I'd nominate them too if I could, but Frances and Roseanne take the cake."

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.

Get in the know

June 8: Service Centre Open House

On June 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. visit us at the Waterloo Service Centre open house!

This family-friendly event is packed full of fun activities and offers a special behind-the-scenes look at all the cool things that happen at our 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 with ice cream (cash only).

Are you and your loved ones prepared for an emergency?

If there is a community-wide emergency, it may take emergency workers time to reach you. Plan to care for yourself and your loved ones during an extended power outage, extreme heat and other emergencies. Use this guide to create your emergency plan and build a 72-hour emergency kit.

When discussing emergency plans, think about how you can customize your plan and your kit for your loved ones to ensure everyone’s safety.

Consider additional planning and preparation advice for:

• People with disabilities
• Older adults
• People living in high-rise buildings
• Pets

More things to know!

• If you are planning to use fireworks this long weekend, it's a good idea to notify your neighbours so they can plan ahead. They may have pets, infant children, work a different schedule or may be triggered by the noise fireworks make. Learn more about fireworks in Waterloo.
• The City is considering using a vacant, city-owned property located at 2025 University Ave E for housing. Do you have thoughts about this plan? Share your feedback on the Engage Waterloo project page.

• As part of our plan to improve road safety, lower speed limits are coming to Waterloo. We are currently in Phase 3, with speed limits lowered to 40 km/h in Ward 4, Ward 5 and Ward 6. 

• The City is looking for the community's feedback on the Urban Forestry Strategy. Share your thoughts here: Future of Trees in Waterloo.

• 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.

May Diversity Calendar

May: Asian Heritage Month

May 1: Beltane/ May Eve/ May Day

May 2: Holy Thursday (Orthodox/Eastern)

May 3: World Press Freedom Day

May 5: Dutch Heritage Day

May 5: South Asian Arrival Day

May 5: National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (Red Dress Day, Canada)

May 5: Easter/ Pascha (Orthodox/Eastern)

May 5 (sundown) - 6: Yom HaShoah

May 6-12: Canadian Mental Health Association Mental Health Week (Canada)

May 9: Feast of the Ascension

May 12: Mother's Day (Canada)

May 15: International Day of Families

May 16: International Day of Living Together in Peace

May 16: Global Accessibility Awareness Day

May 16: Moose Hide Campaign Day

May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

May 19: Pentecost

May 20: Journée nationale des patriotes (National Patriots' Day - Québec)

May 20: Victoria Day (Canada)

May 21: International Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (United Nations)

May 22(sundown)-23: Declaration of the Báb (Bahá'í)

May 23: Vesak (Buddha Day) (Buddhism)

May 24: Pansexual and Panromantic Visibility Day

May 25: Africa Day

May 25 (sundown) - 26: Lag Ba'Omer

May 26 - June 1: National AccessAbility Week (Canada)

May 27-28: Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í)

May 29: Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion

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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