Festival of Neighbourhoods Planning Group

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Nov 24 2014

Capital Grant WinnerThe November E-Neighbour brings good memories of the last Finale celebration and reminds us of the award winners. The New Season has already started and we hope you will embrace the new theme and make it part of your neighbourhood gatherings "Creating Connections, Growing Traditions".  We are thrilled to open a Festival of Neighbourhoods Planning Group and to invite you all to the first meeting on December 9th, 6 - 7:30 pm at the Youth Room at the Downtown Community Centre. Meet like-minded people and help shape the future of the Festival. 

ConnectKW Contracts Application Deadline Extended

Nov 13 2014

Connect KW CoachingThe Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo has two opportunities for youth 15 to 30 years to get paid work experience. Project workers will assist with achieving the objectives of ConnectKW, a network of public internet access sites across K-W. Project Workers will provide introductory technology training at community sites through one to one coaching and in small group workshops. Apply by 12 noon Friday December 5, 2014.

Non-unionized Workers Need Support

Nov 5 2014

Stronger Workplaces Legislation or Bill 18 has been pushed fast forward. On Monday November 3rd, the legislature moved  to expedite the passage of the law with few options to for advocates and groups give input. The Social Planning Council and the Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group are meeting with our local Members of the Provincial Parliament, Michael Harris, Catherine Fife and Daiene Vernile, and are hoping that our suggestions will be passed on to the sub-committee working on the proposal. The Government is already increasing funding for legal clinics and we hope there will be more investment in workerss action services across the province. See what the only Workers' Action Centre in Toronto has to say about Bill-18.

Brock Street wins the $21 000 Grant

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Nov 3 2014

Festival Finale 2014

21st Festival of Neighbourhoods Finale brought 35 neighbourhoods together on November 2nd, 1-3 pm at the Kitchener City Hall Rotunda! We celebrated the record number of registrations again this year - 141 registered activities from 56 Kitchener Neighbourhoods! Take a look at the 2013/2014 FON Map and count the stars! Take a look then at the media release to see the description of the awards presented at the Finale.

Budget Bill Restricts Access to Social Assistance for Refugee Claimants

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Oct 31 2014

Past September, Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group has sent a letter to local Members of Parliament, to oppose the Federal the Bill C-585 that is depriving the most vulnerable of human dignity and right to social security. (You can read the arguments supported by the Poverty Free group here). At his point, the Bill than many human rights organizations ask to be withdrawn, has been included in the new Omnibus Budget Bill C-43 instead. Both Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo and Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Group are endorsing the open letter written by Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) and its partners written to the Minister of Finance Joe Oliver asking him to withdraw the sections 172 & 173 from the Bill C-43.  Read more background information from ISAC and some media coverage of the issue.

Waterloo All-Candidates October 22

"There were lively discussions at every table, ranging from the need for online voting to boost civic engagement, to encouraging community gardens as a venue for building stronger neighbourhoods.

Kitchener All-Candidates October 21

"The event itself was a clear example of civic engagement, with people of all ages and backgrounds deep in discussion all around the room."  Waterloo Region Record by Catherine Thompson. 

VisitAble Housing Benefits Everybody

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Sep 29 2014

The Visitability Project is a three-year national initiative that runs until March 2016 to increasing awareness of VisitAble Housing to buyers, builders, policy makers and other stakeholders. Kitchener-Waterloo Task Force led by the Social Planning Council  is one of the six teams across the country working to increase awareness, plans to develop a workshop and resource package for real estate agents about the benefits and selling features of VisitAble Housing. A checklist so agents can determine if a house they’re selling is VisitAble is also in the works. Read more from REM, Canada’s premier business publication for the real estate industry. 

New Award Recognizes Leaders in Accessibility in Ontario

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Sep 24 2014

The Ontario Government recently annouced the creation of a new award, The David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility. This award will recognize leaders in four categories including employers, youth, employee engagement and role models who have gone above and beyond in improving accessibility for persons wtih disabilities and supporting awareness of accessibility and disability issues. Do you kow an indvidual or organization that you would like to nominate? Click here to download the nomination form and learn  more about the award. The deadline to submit nominations is December 3rd of each year. 

Poverty Reduction Strategy: Being Heard and Involved

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Sep 23 2014

Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group is keen to find out how local groups who are already active in poverty reduction work can be recognized and supported through the provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy to continue their work that brings those with lived poverty experience into the process as experts in their own right. Read below our comments on the provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy and get in touch to share yours.