January 2018 - In This Issue
  • Happy New Year from HCIA!
  • Greenbelt Expansion - Public Open House
  • DC MOVES Better Together
  • Farm to School - Plus FIVE for February
  • Volunteer Dufferin - Seeking Volunteers
Happy New Year from Headwaters Communities In Action
2017 was an action-packed year for Headwaters Communities in Action and that momentum will continue into 2018.

 We will begin the year by meeting with our municipalities to highlight our work, champion community well-being initiatives and generate excitement for the path ahead. Most importantly, we will be engaging with you, our local community members, through our project groups, programs, events, newsletters and online through our websites , Facebook and Twitter .

On behalf of the Headwaters Communities in Action Leadership Council , we wish you a wonderful and prosperous 2018!
Greenbelt Expansion - Public Open House
Proceeding with plans to expand the Greenbelt, the Government of Ontario has announced six open houses, starting on January 31, 2018.

These sessions offer important opportunities to show your support for the protection of precious water features across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Click the button below for more information.
DC MOVES Better Together
The DC MOVES (Dufferin County – Managing, Organizing, Validating, Engagement Strategies) initiative continues to build momentum as a support for greater human services integration and collaboration.

We are very excited to continue the collaborative work that is well underway.

The New Year started off by taking action to increase the breadth and depth of awareness of the picture of poverty in Dufferin County with a Community Poverty Reduction Summit. The summit was held Wednesday January 17 th and was hosted by the Dufferin County Poverty Reduction Task Force. The event exceeded registration expectations and the feedback has been very positive. Attendees left the event, with increased knowledge of Federal and Provincial policy. They were also inspired by the work and challenges faced by our local agencies and by messages from individuals in our community with lived experience. Publishable Summit materials will be available on our website by the end of January.     

Up next - The First DC MOVES FORUM of 2018!
Thursday, February 8, 2018
Presenters include:
  • Lindsay Cline, WDG Public Health –Recreation Study update
  • Rita Sethi, WDG Public Health – Local impact of substance use & Naloxone kits
  • Anna Vanderlaan, WDG Public Health – ACEs Adverse Childhood Experiences 
  • MaryAnn Lowry, Dufferin Community Foundation 
Registration is open. We look forward to seeing you there!
Farm to School - Plus FIVE for February
Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance’s Local Food Club program is a monthly “meal-in-abag”, featuring a variety of local foods, seasonal recipes, information about the suppliers, nutritional report cards and tips for cooking with kids, all packed in a fun, bright orange back pack, which students and staff can take home from school.

The goals of the program are to connect eaters and growers in Headwaters, to encourage kids to cook, and families to explore new foods together. Each monthly pack costs $20 and 10% of the school’s yearly sales is donated back to the school. Local Food Club is currently running in the following 11 program schools:
  • Alton Public School, Alton
  • Centennial Hylands School, Shelburne
  • Credit Meadows Public School, Orangeville
  • Glenbrook Public School, Shelburne
  • Hyland Heights School, Shelburne
  • Island Lake Public School, Orangeville
  • Macville Public School, Bolton
  • Mono Amaranth Public School, Mono
  • Princess Elizabeth Public School, Orangeville
  • Primrose Elementary School, Mulmur
  • St. Andrew School, Orangeville

On average, we pack 145 Local Food Club packs per month. We would like to increase membership to 200 packs, starting in February. Please help us reach our goal by encouraging families in our program schools to sign up for Local Food Club. If each school increases their membership by 5 families, we will meet our goal! Please help us promote Plus FIVE for February.
Volunteer Dufferin
Seeking Volunteers

That’s what our 63 member organizations are doing when they post volunteer opportunities on www.volunteerdufferin.ca

Whatever your age, wherever you are in Dufferin County, there are opportunities just waiting for your skills and interests.

Love to play music, sing or entertain? VON Alzheimer’s Day Program needs you.
Love to drive? Caledon Meals on Wheels needs drivers, and mileage is reimbursed.
Love animals? Love sports? The OSPCA and Orangeville Tigers are looking for volunteers.

With over 60 opportunities currently listed there’s sure to be one just right for you, or someone you know. Check us out today!

Be an Engaged Citizen
Are you interested in making life better together? Calling all future Board members! If you are passionate about your community then we would like to meet with you. Please connect with us to arrange a meeting!
We couldn’t do it without you!
Thank you to our many partners, stakeholders and volunteers who make up HCIA and its project groups. Our primary funders are the Ontario Trillium Foundation and United Way of Guelph Wellington Dufferin. We`re all Making life better together!
Listings about existing transportation options available in Headwaters, learn about eligibility requirements, hours of service and cost.
Over 20 trail descriptions, details and maps in the Headwaters region. Take a hike, enjoy a meal and browse our local shops!