City of waterloo neighbourhoods: strong and connected.

Get involved

Two more weeks to apply for the Neighbourhood Matching Fund!

Summer is fast approaching! Have an idea for a neighbourhood project that could use up to $7,500 in support? Apply with a group of two or more neighbours by May 31 at 2 p.m.

Learn more about the Neighbourhood Matching Fund

A park on a sunny day with tress and grass, with a Neighbourhood Matching Fund sign

The Youth Impact Survey is open!

The Youth Impact Survey (YIS) is Waterloo Region’s opportunity to hear directly from young people about their well-being.

The survey is open until May 31. Share with the youth in your life! Participants will receive volunteer hours and have the chance to win prizes, including a round-trip flight for two with Flair Airlines.

More ways to get involved

Share your vision for Waterloo and review the 2023-2026 Draft Strategic Plan by May 29, 2023

Newcomers ages 14 to 21 are invited to join Let's Talk, a program that focuses on academic and career guidance.

Stay up to date on projects happening across the City of Waterloo by signing up and subscribing to Engage Waterloo.

Neighbourhood groups are often looking for volunteers to help deliver activities for neighbours. Consider connecting and volunteering with a group in your neighbourhood.

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.

Chalk art brightened up Waterloo neighbourhoods

From May 1 to 8 neighbours across Waterloo participated in the Chalk Challenge! Beautiful chalk creations decorated neighbourhood blocks, patios and outdoor spaces.

Thank you to everyone that participated to spread some neighbourhood cheer. Congratulations to our winner Aarohi who won the contest and received a $50 gift card to a business of their choice.

Stay tuned for the annual Chalk Challenge next spring!

Featured chalk art by Aarohi.

Cleaning up together

Through the Partners and Parks Program, neighbours in Lakeshore North connected and cleaned up litter in their local park. It was a great opportunity to chat with neighbours, get outside and help the environment.

Interested in learning more about the Partners in Parks programs, check out the City of Waterloo website.

Kind neighbours are simply the best!

Hand holding basket filled with vegetables, text reads spotted: neighbourhood kindness

A neighbour shares:

"My neighbors are very friendly and welcoming. They have been living in the community for quite a long time and when we settled down in the area they introduced us to many places nearby. Blashka is a gardening expert and always willing to share her experiences."

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.

Recognize a kind neighbour

Get in the know

June 10: Service Centre Open House!

On June 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. we’re delighted to bring back the Waterloo Service Centre open house!

This family-friendly event is packed full of fun activities and offers a special behind-the-scenes look at all the cool things that happen at our Service Centre. Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with trucks and other heavy equipment.

There will also be face painting, games and a tasty barbecue with ice cream (cash only) - with proceeds to Supportive Housing of Waterloo Region (SHOW).

City of Waterloo Service Centre Open house June 10 from 10 to 2

Remembrance Reflections

Get out those knitting needles and crochet hooks and join us to make some poppies. Participants can pick up a bag at select locations or use personal supplies.

Poppies are due September 29, 2023 and can be dropped off at the City facilities.

Learn more about Remembrance Reflections

List of businesses that offer event equipment rentals

We want to better support you when it comes to getting equipment for community events! We're creating a list of businesses that offer event equipment rentals. This list will help neighbours easily find equipment to support community connections.

Know a business that offers event equipment rentals? Share this link with them to submit their information: Equipment Rental Listing.

More things to know!

May is building safety month. Learn more about safe building practices online.

Check out a recent blog post from Reep Green Solutions about creating a potted garden for pollinators.

The new Eby Farm Playground at Waterloo Park is complete!

Summer is fast approaching! Mark your calendars for these City festivals and events.

Looking for things to do? Explore programs and events offered by the Waterloo Public Library.

June 29 is Spectrum's Annual Fundraising Gala.

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.

May Diversity Calendar

May: Asian Heritage Month

May 1-7: Canadian Mental Health Association Mental Health Week (Canada)

May 2: Twelfth Day of Ridvan (Bahá'í)

May 5: National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (Red Dress Day, Canada)

May 5: Vesak (Buddha Day) (Buddhism)

May 14: Mother's Day (Canada)

May 17 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

May 18: Feast of the Ascension (Christianity)

May 21: International Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (United Nations)

May 22: Journée nationale des patriotes (National Patriots' Day - Québec)

May 22: Victoria Day (Canada)

May 24: Declaration of the Báb (Bahá'í)

May 25-27: Shavuot (Judaism)

May 28 to June 3: National AccessAbility Week (Canada)

May: Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í)

Source: Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion's Diversity Calendar.

Thank you for reading thisedition 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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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.

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