Welcome to the 52nd edition of Neighbours helping Neighbours, a bi-weekly newsletter from the neighbourhoods team, with a focus on good news stories, important community updates and an ever growing list of support resources.
PS ~ We encourage you to subscribe to this enewsletter if you haven't already and/or share this invitation with your friends in case they might be interested as well. Anyone who subscribes between now and Dec. 31 will be entered into a draw to win one of four (1 of 4) $25 Mastercard gift cards.
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Last call to register for Neighbourhood Summit workshops!
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The 3rd annual Neighbourhood Summit will take place virtually until December 2, 2021. The informative and inclusive event will bring neighbours together from across the city to learn, share information and network.
Remaining workshops include:
Neighbourhood Networking with the Volunteer Action Centre
- Wednesday, Dec. 1, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- At this session, attendees will be able to ask questions, share their knowledge, and build connections with other neighbours. Neighbours will discuss interests, questions, ideas, or other topics about connecting in their community.
Refugee Resettlement & Supports Neighbours Can Offer
- Thursday, December 2, from 8-9 p.m.
- Reception House will share information about the refugee resettlement process and practical ways neighbours can welcome new comers and support these efforts.
The Neighbourhood Summit workshops are free. Please register online to reserve your spot.
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Afghan Resettlement in Waterloo Region |
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How Can Community Members, Families and Organizations Help?
Waterloo Region has a long story of welcoming refugees, and we are doing so again. Hundreds of Afghan and other refugees have moved here this year and are living across our regional communities. We know many people in Waterloo Region want to support this effort, as they have in the past.
There are many ways to help:
- Learn about Canada’s programs for vulnerable Afghans
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Provide affordable housing. Landlords and property managers who can provide affordable and flexible housing solutions for families of different sizes in 1-4 bedroom units should please reply here.
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Provide primary care. Members of the medical community who can take on new clients should please reply here.
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Make monetary donations to the Immigration Partnership Fund or Reception House to support resettlement initiatives for Afghans and other refugees.
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Donate clothing and other items via Thrift on Kent or ReStore Habitat For Humanity Waterloo Region. Warm outdoor and indoor winter clothing is a particular need at the moment.
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Sponsor Afghan refugees and support family reunification efforts. In Canada, there are various ways to privately sponsor refugees. Learn more on the Government of Canada’s website. You can connect with local sponsorship agreement holders like Mennonite Central Committee Ontario, Canadian Lutheran World Relief or others to learn more about the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program.
- Be a welcoming and inclusive community member. Arriving in a new community having fled war and crisis can be extremely stressful. Being friendly and welcoming to all goes a long way to making our newest residents feel good as they get to know their new community, make friends and start their new life.
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Volunteer to support area resettlement programs. Interested volunteers, please visit the Volunteer Action Centre Waterloo Region portal for more information. Volunteer needs are being assessed and volunteers will be contacted as needs are determined. Volunteering through this pathway helps community organizations to engage volunteers in meaningful ways.
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Is there someone doing awesome near you?
The City of Waterloo wants to recognize people who do something great, big or small, in their neighbourhood. Nominations will be accepted year-round and every nominee will receive a thank you package.
How can you get involved?
- Submit a quick and easy nomination to describe your kind neighbour’s contributions
- Help spread the word about this new program
- Be a caring and kind neighbour!
Spotted: Neighbourhood Kindness!
Lori shares: "Andre is a quiet and shy young man. He regularly goes around the entire neighbourhood and maintains the berm, and general neighbourhood. He is often seen weeding, trimming, and collecting litter. He is an outstanding community member, and may not even realize that we, the neighbours even notice. Well I see and appreciate all the time and energy that he spends doing this maintanance out of the goodness of his heart."
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Cardinal spooky activity trail |
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Cardinal Crescent neighbourhood had a Halloween Haunt activity trail in the morning where participating houses set up a fun activity like bean bag toss for kids to do in exchange for a treat. It was such a fun day with gorgeous weather. Adults, kids and pets dressed up for the festivities.
Neighbours also had a second annual Facebook Halloween contest with three categories: best carved pumpkins, best outdoor decorations and best costumes. The pics with the most “likes” won a gift card to a local business.
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Thanks to neighbourhood volunteers! |
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The City of Waterloo neighbourhoods and parks teams recently offered a variety of volunteer recognition opportunities to say thank you to neighbourhood and community program volunteers. Treats from Four All, online shopping at Zero Waste Bulk, DIY doormats with Crafty Crystal, and an Adventure Rooms Canada virtual escape room were amongst the options to choose from. Thank you to all volunteers who make Waterloo a connected community. A special thanks to Donna for sharing a photo of her creation from the DIY doormat workshop. |
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Old Post Park final playground designs are here!
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Based on the survey conducted earlier this year, the project team has modified design option 1 to suit community feedback. The major changes to playground option 1 include:
- The addition of monkey bars
- The addition of a multi-use spinner
- The addition of stand-alone musical play panels
- An updated colour palette
The playground will be ready for installation in Spring 2022. Thank you for your contributions to this project, and for your patience as we work through some delays. We look forward to seeing the community enjoy this new playground!
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Affordable Housing Strategy - feedback needed |
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As we continue our work towards an affordable housing strategy for the City of Waterloo, we are starting to look at various approaches. There are many tools and approaches that municipalities can use to increase the affordability of housing. These approaches generally fall into one or more of the following categories:
- Increase overall housing supply
- Increase affordable housing supply
- Prevent loss of existing affordable housing
- Increase the diversity in the housing supply
On the Affordable Housing Strategy project page, we've listed some possible approaches to address the city’s affordable housing challenges. We want to know what you think of these approaches. Are there some that you think would be more effective than others? Are there approaches that we are missing that should be included? Let us know what you think by responding to the housing location and affordable housing surveys.
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Avon Trail identification signs |
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The Active Transportation team is working with Westmount Signs to install Avon Trail identification signs in Columbia Forest and Stamm Woodlot. Over the next few weeks, you may see people working in these two areas to install wooden posts and signage, to help trail users navigate the woodlots. Enjoy your trail walks! #ActiveWaterloo |
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Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival begins December 1 |
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The Immigration Partnership and partners are delighted to announce the launch of the 2021 Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival (WRMFF) next week! The goal of WRMFF is to pave the way for greater discussion around migration and relocation, by creating safe spaces for respectful interaction and dialogues. In addition to showcasing a diverse spectrum of films, the festival offers post-screening conversations with filmmakers and writers, as well as Q&A sessions.
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Spreading joy for older adults through cards |
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This year, the Waterloo Public Library (WPL) is encouraging the community to come together to make sure everyone feels the holiday spirit. The WPL Teen Events Team is organizing a Holiday Card Drive and your help is needed! Make a card (or several) for an older adult in our community who may be feeling isolated during the pandemic. The goal is to collect as many holiday cards as possible can between Tuesday, November 23 to Friday, December 17.
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November 25 ~ Day of the Covenant commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of His son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the One to whom His followers should turn after His passing. (Bahá’í)
- November 25 ~ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Designated by the UN, this is a day to raise awareness of the fact that women around the world are subject to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence.(International)
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November 27 ~ Ascension of Abdu’l-Bahá marks the passing of Abdu’l-Bahá in 1921. (Bahá’í)
- November 28 – December 6 ~ Hanukkah. Also known as the Jewish Festival of Lights or Feast of Dedication, Hanukah is an eight-day Jewish holiday in memory of the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. (Jewish)
- November 28 – December 24 ~ Advent begins. Advent marks a month-long period of preparation and anticipation for the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. (Christian)
- December 1 ~ World AIDS Day. Designated on December 1 every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease.
- December 2 ~ International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is annually held on December 2 to raise awareness of the atrocities of modern slavery. It is not to be confused with another UN day, the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.
- December 3 ~ International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Promoted by the UN, this day is to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.(International)
- December 5 ~ International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development. The United Nations (UN) annually observes the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development on December 5. The day, which is also known as International Volunteer Day (IVD), gives volunteers a chance to work together on projects and campaigns promoting their contributions to economic and social development at local, national and international levels.(International)
- December 8 ~ Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a celebration of the belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. (Christian)
Source: Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion
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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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