Welcome to the 8th edition of Neighbours helping Neighbours, a weekly newsletter from the neighbourhoods team, with a focus on good news stories, important community updates and an ever growing list of support resources.
Stories of neighbours and businesses continuing to support each other surround us. This compassion is not new to this community but a strong demonstration of shared community values.
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COVID-19 emergency caregivers needed
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Family and Children's Services
are looking for adults to provide short-term (approximately two to three weeks) care in their homes for children whose parents are unable to look after them because they are sick with COVID-19.
This is not typical foster care and you will not be a licensed foster parent, but would need to have a police check (for working with vulnerable people) and some experience in caring for children. A per diem would be provided per child.
As with regular foster parents, people from diverse cultures, religions and backgrounds are needed.
Providers in this program have already had a high level of screening/record checks -for example, those in professions such as daycare provider, teacher, police officer, etc.
Applicant homes will go through an assessment process with a recruitment worker.
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Encouraging silly moves in Uptown West
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Waterloo couple Kelly Anthony and Joel Dubin demonstrate their best silly walk outside their Roslin St. home, Thursday, April 30. The duo made the signs, that ask for a silly walk, as a way to keep passersby light hearted. The idea was inspired by a Monty Python skit.
Photo: David Bebee
Source:
Waterloo Region Record Instagram
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Childcare services are essential services
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Licensed
home child care services
have been
deemed essential by the Province of Ontario
. This means home child care providers can choose to remain open and to provide care to families, including those who are in the emergency child care program. Home child care providers are required to follow all existing provincial health and safety requirements. They have plans in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including a process for how to respond should anyone be exposed.
Home child care providers who contract with the Region of Waterloo have additional requirements in place as recommended by public health, to minimize the risk of COVID-19. If you have questions about the emergency child care program, visit the
region’s community supports during COVID-19 page
.
If you have questions or concerns specific to home child care please contact Roger Gilbert, manager of home child care at
RGilbert@regionofwaterloo.ca
.
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Recognizing healthcare workers
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Thanks to Andrew for sharing this photo from Parkview
Seniors Community on University Avenue East recognizing the health care workers there.
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Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex to undergo needed repairs
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The City of Waterloo will be undertaking needed maintenance and safety repairs to the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex (WMRC) starting May 4, 2020.
O. Reg. 82/20 provides for the operation of essential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The regulation permits maintenance such as repairing a leaky roof and upgrades to the heating and ventilation. Other maintenance and safety upgrades are permissible to allow the building to operate and meet current needs. The maintenance work will take several months to complete and crews will perform the work while adhering to physical distancing rules. Similar work planned at other city facilities will also advance at this time.
All non-essential Community Services capital projects are paused until provincial regulations permit construction to begin. The tenders for the new east side library branch, which will be constructed at RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex and Healthy Living Centre, and the Albert McCormick Community centre sports park, will be shortly issued with the hope construction can begin later this year as previously scheduled. Regular maintenance of city amenities, such as parks and trails will be at reduced levels.
The city will be actively monitoring the provincial regulations and once the rules enable further construction to begin, the WMRC expansion will advance. The contract has been awarded to Collaborative Structures Limited (CSL), a construction/design-build company based in Cambridge, Ontario.
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BE Connected is a Facebook community where you can"hang out," meet new people, build relationships and be part of some great conversations. We will also provide you with COVID-19 information, resources and local services; access tools, resources for a good life in community and information more about Bridges to Belonging's services. You can request to join the group
here.
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Walking group stays active
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Everyone is finding meaningful ways to stay active across the city. Thanks to Andrew S. for sharing this photo of a seniors walking group in uptown.
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Westvale Community Association reflect on Earth Day
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Like others across the country, the
Westvale Community Association
was unable to host Earth Day events this year due to the pandemic. However, that didn’t stop the association from sharing memories of the great things that happen when neighbours come together. Residents missed the annual gathering to pitch in around neighbourhood parks, but they were able to see a flashback from the 2009 event. WCA volunteers help make these events possible and there have been lots of great successes over the years to reflect on!
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Coordinated COVID-19 response newsletter - May 1, 2020
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These weekly newsletters keep everyone informed about
the coordinated response to the evolving COVID-19 situation. The Region, area municipalities and local community partners are meeting regularly to make sure pandemic response efforts
are coordinated and aligned.
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Stay tuned for the next edition of Waterloo Neighbourhoods.
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Sign up
for updates about arts and culture, recreation and active living, neighbourhood happenings, cycling and other city news and stories.
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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.
The City of Waterloo is committed to providing accessible formats and communications support for persons with disabilities. If another format would work better for you, please let us know by calling 519-747-8515 or by emailing us at
communications@waterloo.ca
.
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