Get involved

Organize an Earth Day community clean-up

Celebrate Earth Day by organizing a community cleanup in your neighbourhood park. The city will support you every step of the way with supplies, tips and getting rid of the collected litter.

Neighbourhood Associations, Block Connectors and neighbourhood groups are invited to coordinate a neighbourhood-wide cleanup of all small parks within your neighbourhood.

Register online for the Earth Day Community Cleanup by April 14 to ensure access to supplies and support.

Waterloo Region Home Share

More ways to get involved

• Check out Volunteer Waterloo Region for details on available volunteer positions.

• Register for the free Islamophobia and Anti-Hate Workshop on March 22 from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Part of an organization that provides support to local residents? Apply for the Waterloo Region Community Foundation Community Grants by April 2, 2023.

• Scholarships of $2,500 are available for not-for-profit board of directors and executive directors. These scholarships aim to improve your boardroom governance and help your organization reach its goals.

• The Youth Creativity Fund provides microgrants to Gr.5 to 12 students in Waterloo Region to pursue a creative learning project.

• Check out Immigration Waterloo Region's community calendar to access details about newcomer programs and community events 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.

Summer is around the corner!

Despite what the thermometer says, warmer weather is on its way! Start thinking about fun spring and summer connection opportunities with your neighbours.

Last summer, neighbours from Foxhunt hosted a music in the park event. With great tunes and neighbourhood connections, it was a very special September afternoon.

Want to do something similar? Apply for a mini-grant to receive up to $300 for your idea!

Check out the Sharing Experiences Exhibit

As part of the Neighbourhood Summit, neighbours from across Waterloo came together to share their experiences and create tealight holders to represent spaces in their neighbourhoods that bring them joy.

The creations are now on display at the Clay and Glass Gallery. Consider visiting the Gallery to check out them out!

The tealight pictured here was created by Debika.

A neighbour shares:

"Sandy is an exceptional neighbour who goes above and beyond to support and care for her community. She is always the first to offer a helping hand, whether it's lending a tool, picking up groceries or simply being a listening ear. She is incredibly thoughtful and considerate, always thinking of her neighbours.

One of the most remarkable things about Sandy is her generosity and kindness. She has baked and cooked for our family on multiple occasions, surprises us by remembering our kids' birthdays and has come over in a pinch in emergency situations. She has always welcomed us in with open arms, making us feel like family. She truly embodies the spirit of being a 'good' neighbor, and it's always a comfort to know that she is just a knock on the door away."

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

Spring ActiviteWaterloo Guide

Waterloo's Spring ActiveWaterloo Guide is here! Check out the guide online or view programs on ActiveWaterloo. City program registration opens March 8 (active living, including summer camps) and March 21 (swim) for spring!

What’s new this spring?

• private swim lessons
• beginners crochet and acrylics
• collage greeting cards and cookie/cake/cupcakes workshops
• youth arcade game building
• CAN-BIKE and Little Explorers (returning program)
• summer camps for ages 4 to 16
• PA day kids programs
• pickleball tournament (April)

Outdoor rinks are closing

The last day for outdoor rink maintenance is March 19. After this, you will see rink equipment and boards start to be collected by city staff. While this winter was difficult for outdoor rinks to be built, we hope many neighbours were still able to enjoy a skate this season. 

A huge thank you to all the outdoor rink volunteers that make this program possible! Stop by to say thanks if you see volunteers out at the rink as the season wraps up at your local park. 

Photo credit: Clair Lake Park, Patrick O. 

Senior of the Year

Nominations are open for the 2023 Waterloo Senior of the Year Award!  Please consider nominating a Waterloo resident age 65+ who has made outstanding contributions to the community. The nomination deadline is March 31.  

Nominate someone for the Senior of the Year Award. Printed copies of the nomination form are available at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex and Community Pavilion.

More things to know!

• Important resources for landlords and tenants by Waterloo Region Community Legal Services.

• March 21: International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination event by Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre and Immigration Partnership WR.

• 10 Energy Efficiency Ideas for Tenants from REEP Green Solution.

• March 31: Transgender Day of Visibility (TVOD) Virtual Trivia Night by Waterloo Public Library and SPECTRUM.

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

• The City of Waterloo is hosting an afternoon concert for St. Patricks Day on Wednesday March 15 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex. Register by emailing melissa.melo@waterloo.ca or by calling 519-579-1020 ext.10037.

• Learn more about reporting Hate Incidents or Discrimination: involving Islamophobia, Racism or 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.

March Diversity Calendar

March - Bangladeshi Heritage Month 

March - Irish Heritage Month

March - Women’s History Month 

March 1 - Zero Discrimination Day

March 1 - Self-harm Awareness Day

March 2 - Nineteen Day Fast begins

March 6 - Magha Puja Day

March 6-7 - Purim

March 7 - Chotrul Duchen

March 8 - Holi

March 8 - International Women's Day

March 15 - International Day to Combat Islamophobia

March 17 - Saint Patrick’s Day

March 20 - International Francophonie Day

March 20 - Spring Equinox

March 21 - International Day of Nowruz (Bahá'í/Iranian/Persian New Year)

March 21 - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day

March 22 - Ugadi

March 22 -  World Water Day

March 22 to April 20 - Ramadan

March 24 - International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims

March 25 - International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

March 25 - Feast of the Annunciation

March 26 - Khordad Sal

March 26 - Purple Day

March 30 - Ram Navami

March 31 - International Transgender Day of Visibility

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