Social Development Centre Waterloo Region

Announcing Some Big Changes to the SDC Team

Our ED, Aleksandra Petrovic, is on sabbatical

After nearly a decade at SDC, Aleks is taking a well-deserved break. We feel her absence every day, but hope you'll join us in wishing Aleks the very best as she takes this time away to focus on herself.

Who to contact in Aleks' absence

There's no denying we have some very big shoes to fill. But just over a year ago, Aleks transitioned SDC to a Distributed Leadership model, where ED functions such as liaising with the Board, and guiding the mission and vision of the organization, were shared across multiple roles. With Aleks on sabbatical, the Distributed Leadership Team will fully assume all of her former responsibilities...

Check Out "Falling Through the Cracks" At Willow River Centre

Falling Through the Cracks photo exhibit at Willow River Centre

Thanks to O:se Kenhionhata:tie, the "Falling Through the Cracks" photo exhibit will be at Willow River Centre throughout January - March, 2024! Developed as part of a research project undertaken by Wilfrid Laurier University and members of the Lived Expertise Working Group (LEWG), the exhibit provides an opportunity to discover the powerful perspectives and voices of displacement in Waterloo Region.

Where: Willow River Centre, 243 King St. E, Kitchener

When: Tuesday-Friday 9am-3pm, until March 31, 2024

Office Closure & Staff Development Days

Festive graphic announcing the SDC Office will be closed December 18, 2023 to January 2, 2024

Office Closure:

The SDC office will be closed Monday, December 18, 2023 to Tuesday, January 2, 2024 to give our team a chance to rest, reflect, and recharge for the new year.

Staff Development Days:

Our team will be back at work on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, but you may experience slower response times as we take part in staff development sessions January 2 - 5, 2024. We thank you in advance for your patience as we do our best to get back to you in a timely way!

We hope this holiday season brings you rest, warmth, and care - and all the very best in the new year.

Eviction Prevention Support Now at Waterloo Public Library

Promotional Graphic announcing Eviction Prevention Tenant Support will now have regular office hours at Waterloo Public Library

We are thrilled to partner with Waterloo Public Library (WPL) to have an Eviction Prevention Peer Worker on-site at the Main Library every Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm.

The peer worker can be found on the upper level at the desk beside the non-fiction large print books. Please ask staff at the Information Desk if you need help locating the Eviction Prevention Peer Worker.

Eviction Prevention Six Month Report

Nov 8 2023

The success stories are gradually multiplying as the awareness, partnerships and tenant capacity building to challenge evictions spread across the three cities. Read the six month report, April to September 2023, explore the case studies and internal evolution of the team, now including a Tenant Organizing Peer Worker. Get in touch with our team, as they learn and evolve the ways to walk alongside tenants in their struggles to ensure their right to home. We are happy to let you know also that Waterloo Region ACORN, the newly formed Tenant Union, is hosting meetings and organizing in the Civic Hub.

30th Anniversary Kitchener's Festival of Neighbourhoods

Oct 30 2023

30th FON Celebration The time does fly when you are having fun! Thirty years ago, we were sent on a mission to support neighbourhood connections because of our differences and diversity. There were years when we registered over 170 activities hosted by neighbours for neighbours and invited 70 neighbourhoods to the Annual Celebration. You still have time until All Hallow’s Eve by midnight to register your gathering and make sure your neighbourhood is eligible for a draw for $20,000 for a Capital Improvement Grant with the City of Kitchener!

Projects you may want to seek funding for could include murals, permanent outdoor equipment and furniture, improvement to green spaces, community gardens and many more creative possibilities that required ongoing permanent structures.

Those who register their inclusive gatherings with the Festival must attend the celebration to have your ballot entered for the capital grant. All curious and neighbourly people are still invited to have fun and celebrate our anniversary. R.S.V.P. to attend this year's celebration until November 15th.

NEW STUDY: Many Faces of Displacement in Ontario

Oct 21 2023

Many Faces of Displacement Study The Social Planning Network has partnered with the University of Waterloo and Social Development Centre Waterloo Region to support four regional social planning councils (Kingston and District, Oxford County, York Region, and Cornwall and Area) in advancing advocacy to counter tenant evictions and displacement in communities across Ontario. The report "Many Faces of Urban and Rural Displacement" study is available with the recommendations that will guide our collective responses by filling gaps in lived experience leadership.

"Through detailed studies of each region and its tenants’ experiences, we found that despite different built forms, demographics, local economies, population densities, and vacancy rates, tenants across Ontario had a shared experience of displacement. Tenants explained how tactics were used to push them out, and discussed the lasting impact of displacement and the necessity of change." SPNO (spno.ca), October 2023

Administrative Coordinator Job Posting

Oct 16 2023

Do the values of SDC resonate with you? We are recruiting for the position of an Administrative Coordinator. It is an annual renewing contract position, based on available funding. The position is for 30 hours per week at a rate of $26.25/hour. The position would be carried out in person at SDC office, starting early November 2023. Apply by November 3rd. Not having all the listed skills and qualifications should not in itself exclude you from submitting an application. The groups we serve are very diverse and inclusive, our team is committed to increase the representation of talent and backgrounds within our organization.

Civic Engagement and Grassroots Organizing

Sep 15 2023

Civic Hub Report REPORT LAUNCH: "Civic Engagement and Grassroots Organizing Through the COVID-19 Pandemic" - role of grassroots in building community and surviving change.

Sept 23rd at 12:30pm at the Civic Hug! Join us and meet with Civic Hug partner groups!

Plan to End Chronic Homelessness Prototyping

Sep 12 2023

Plan to End Chronic Homelessness Prototyping Pilot Project started in March 2023 involving a team of lived experts, Region and SDC staff, seeking to enable implementation of potential solutions to end chronic homelessness rooted in lived experience of unsheltered and hidden homeless. The "Lived Expertise Prototyping Project" process report was compiled to describe the work done by August 2023, and was interwoven into the Key Findings Report that was presented to the Council on September 12th. The Key Findings report is available at this link, and the presentation to the Community and Health Committee is available on YouTube (51:18).