Get involved

New year, new grant opportunity!

Applications for the Neighbourhood Fund are now open! Apply for up to $7,500 before February 13. This grant supports neighbours and helps them deliver projects, programs, activities, and events, in their neighbourhood.

Note: This fund was previously named the Neighbourhood Matching Fund. Visit our website to learn more about the changes.

Review the Indoor Community Space Master Plan

The Indoor Community Space Master Plan (ICSMP) is a 10-year roadmap of transformational change. It includes recommendations for improving existing community facilities, increasing access, minimizing barriers and planning for the future. 

Check it out and share your feedback by January 15!

More ways to get involved

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

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has relaunched its Inclusive Communities campaign. This campaign encourages neighbours throughout Canada to engage and welcome newcomers to their communities.

• The National Anti Racism fund is open for applications. Find more details on eligibility and explore if this grant may be a good fit for your organization. Check out the youth stream and project grant stream.

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

• The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) has created an online tool that shows accessibility status by school.

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

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.

Hot cocoa and connections

With the help of a mini-grant, the MacGregor Albert Neighbourhood Association hosted a neighbourhood photo scavenger hunt to explore the Wonders of Winter. Neighbours were energized for the community activity with hot cocoa and some exciting prizes. It was a great evening for neighbours that live in the MacGregor Albert Community to connect.

Interested in planning an event to bring neighbours together? Reach out to neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca.

Sweetening up the holiday season

Every December, the Laurelwood Neighbourhood Association plans a holiday tree lighting event complete with winter crafts, cookie decorating, hot apple cider and more. With a team of dedicated volunteers, the 2023 event was a great success.

Thank you to the Laurelwood Neighbourhood Association for all you do to support community connections!

A neighbour shares:

"Our neighbour wakes up early every day to remove snow from his sidewalk and also for both houses to their right and their left, if there is no car parked in their driveway they also remove in the driveways. We also heard from the people who were staying in the house we stay in now that he has been doing that for the past 10 years. He doesn't even need to know you, to remove the snow. Quiet, humble guy."

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 in February to celebrate Random Act of Kindness Day.

Get in the know

Neighbourhood outdoor rinks

Volunteer-run outdoor rinks are located in parks across the City of Waterloo. Check out the list of outdoor rinks and rink schedules for some outdoor fun!



All rinks are weather dependent. To check if a rink is open, neighbours are encouraged to visit the location before planning a skate. Keep off any closed rinks (look for the closed sign, thin ice, or wet/slushy surfaces) as volunteers prepare the ice. Stay safe and don't forget to follow all posted schedules and rules when it's time to enjoy the rink! 

Celebrate winter with Winterloo!

Winterloo is an annual, free festival for all ages. Enjoy winter-themed activities in uptown Waterloo on Saturday, January 27 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Activities will include meeting the snow dogs, ice carving, snow sculptures, winter activities and much more!

Learn more about Winterloo

More things to know!

• The Waterloo Region Community Foundation presents the 2023 Vital Signs Report on affordable housing.

• The Immigration Partnership has prepared a regional immigration forecast up to 2030.

• Check out Know Your Care Options for information on different health care choices available during cold/flu season.

• 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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