Get involved

Apply to the Neighbourhood Matching Fund

The next deadline to apply for the Neighbourhood Matching Fund is May 31 at 2 p.m. Groups of two or more neighbours can apply for up to $7,500 to support projects that promote neighbourhood connections and placemaking.

Reach out today to neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca to chat about your idea!

To learn more about the NMF program, consider attending the Food and Funds Event to chat with City staff and neighbours (details below!)

Food and Funds event

Apply by May 4 for the Neighbourhood Picnic Table program

The Neighbourhood Picnic Table program could be coming to your local park this summer! The program celebrates community spaces, brings creative works to parks, and creates spaces for neighbourhood connections. View the Neighbourhood Garden Picnic Table Program map for past tables and locations.

Three parks will be selected to receive picnic tables through this program in 2023. Submit an online application to nominate your neighbourhood park! If you have questions, connect with neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca.

Pictured: "Blooming Bees" by Madeline Belford in Roselea Park

More ways to get involved

• The City of Waterloo is looking for feedback to improve the current model of sidewalk snow clearing, where both the City and private property owners are responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks. Complete the survey on Engage Waterloo.

• The Community Coalition on Refugee and Immigrant Concerns (CCORIC) is looking for nominations for the annual World Refugee Day Awards of Distinction in Waterloo Region. Learn more and submit a nomination by April 28, 2023.

• Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently launched a new engagement initiative, an immigration system for Canada’s future: consultation survey. The survey is open until April 27, 2023.

• Applications are open for 2023 Upstream Community Change Committee. This Region of Waterloo committee helps to distribute funds to community initiatves that reduce harm.

• Volunteer to lead a Jane’s Walk, a citizen-led walking tour that makes space for people to observe, reflect, share, question and collectively reimagine the places in which they live, work and play.

• WR Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis is a volunteer-led group focused on helping displaced Ukrainians fleeing war and arriving in Waterloo Region.

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.

Connecting over food!

A neighbourhood food group meeting brought Lakeshore South neighbours together this March. With the help of a mini grant, snacks were provided to fuel great conversations about what the neighbourhood can do to engage more people to work together and grow and share food. 

Learn more about the mini grant and apply today.

Celebrating Holi with art!

A neighbour in Laurelwood planned a Holi Art contest to encourage creativity and community connections. After submitting their artwork, neighbours gathered for an exhibition at a local business.

This event was supported by a mini grant.

In honour of National Volunteer Week we have randomly selected a kind neighbour to win a $25 Uptown Waterloo Gift Card. Congratulations to Keith M - your gift card has been sent in the mail! Thank you for all you do to make Waterloo a special place to live.

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

Two more weeks until the Chalk Challenge!

Two more weeks until the Chalk Challenge! Dig out the sidewalk chalk and start brainstorming creative ideas to brighten up your neighbourhood.

Neighbours are encouraged to share their creations on social media and tag the City of Waterloo and their local neighbourhood groups.

Neighbours can submit photos of their chalk art through this online form for a chance to win a $50 gift card to a Waterloo business of their choice. A winner will be randomly selected. 

Welcome Ambassadors at the Community Pavilion

Knowledgeable and caring Welcome Ambassadors can assist older adults in a variety of ways:

• Discuss programs and services
• Give tours of the seniors facilities
• Assist with finding community resources
• Answer questions – big or small!

Welcome Ambassadors are available at the Community Pavilion by appointment, Monday to Friday. Call 519-579-1020.

Celebrating neighbourhood volunteers!

Neighbourhood associations, outdoor rinks, block connectors, homes associations and community gardens are just some of the ways neighbours volunteer throughout Waterloo. During National Volunteer Week, it's a great time to say thank you to dedicated volunteers for all they do to support strong and connected neighbourhoods.

If you are interested in volunteering in your neighbourhood, consider reaching out to local neighbours and associations about available opportunities.

More things to know!

• The Social Development Centre Waterloo Region offers free virtual and in person tax preparation for low income individuals. Returns can be done virtual, drop off, or in-person at the Civic Hub Waterloo Region. Appointments are required for all returns and can be booked through email at lesleyacrompton@gmail.com or 519-572-2570.

• On April 26 at 7 p.m. Spectrum is offering a virtual 'Rainbow Diversity Training 101' workshop. This is a great opportunity for individuals to receive this training and there are a limited number of free spots available! Register online!

• On April 28, Waterloo's own pop-up drive in is back with Back to the Future in the parking lot of Wing 404! Attendees can arrive anytime after 7:30 p.m. and the movie will begin just after sunset. For more details, check out @CreateWaterloo on Instagram.

• On May 30, CERC Migration will be hosting a workshop to explore the future of multiculturalism. Learn more and register online.

• 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.

April Diversity Calendar

April: Sikh Heritage Month

April - 2: World Autism Awareness Day

April - 2: Palm Sunday

April 5-13: Pesach

April - 6: Theravada New Year

April - 6: Holy (Maundy) Thursday

April - 7: Holy (Good) Friday

April - 9: Easter

April - 12: International Day of Pink

April 13-14: Sinhalese New Year

April - 13: Holy Thursday

April - 14: Vaisakhi

April - 14: Holy Friday

April - 16: Pascha - Orthodox Easter

April - 21: Eid Al-Fitr

April - 21: First Day of Ridvan

April - 22: Earth 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