Jul
14
2022
The 12 members of the Lived Expertise Working Group started working together in May. They set their own rules for working together, the Space Agreement, to allow for safe and honest sharing of the knowledge and experiences. They come from diverse backgrounds, yet, share passion for the human right to housing. In July, after the orientation to the City of Kitchener's Housing Strategy, Social Development Centre's Lifelong Engagement approach, and the city and the regional government responsibilities, they went through a convergence exercise to determine their priorities for the year ahead: advocating for supports to people living in encampments and contributing to closer collaboration among different levels of government on housing.
The SSHRC funded project “Filling the Gap: The role of social engagement hubs in a world changed by COVID-19” is hiring a Civic Hub Community Research Assistant. Filling the Gap addresses the research question: in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, what strategies can social engagement hubs adopt to maximize social inclusion and civic engagement? Through surveys and key informant interviews this project will develop a needs assessment of Civic Hub partner organizations and contribute to development of strategies for community organizing. 
"Many Faces of Urban and Rural Displacement: Ontario Tenants Organize and Speak Up" a new project of the Social Planning Network of Ontario in partnership with the Centre for Equality Rights and Accommodation and University of Waterloo has been launched with a coordinator in place. Rose Vandermeer actually lives in Kitchener! Now, we are ready to start engaging with local leads! This project is following up on the displacement studies we collaborated on with the University of Waterloo School of Planning and will engage and connect with tenants who have lived experience across Cornwall and area, Kingston and district, Oxford County and the York Region. 
SDC continues to adapt to the ever-changing context and relationships as the scope and depth of the needs of underserved and underrepresented communities becomes more evident every day. You can see it in your daily interactions and we continue to provide more research and data, especially on housing and homelessness in Waterloo Region. We need also to take a deeper look at our own capacity to respond to multiple calls for assistance and collaboration, as well as, to determine our sphere of influence with greater precision and clarity. Your input on these topics at the Annual General Meeting will be invaluable - 
Civic Hub Waterloo Region is the proud host for the development and rehearsals of the anti-poverty engaged theatre production rooted in lived expertise! Living Below the Line is a stereotype-busting work about struggle, resilience and hope, co-created by Watercourse Theatre and fourteen individuals living in poverty. Over the course of five free, regional public presentations between June 17- 25, these new actors will share their stories. Scenes include perspectives on stigma, a mock quiz show, and superheroes! “These stories are important truths, shared from the heart. I am honoured to help bring them to the stage,” says Catherine Frid, Artistic Director of Watercourse Theatre.
The Social Development Centre has partnered with the City of Kitchener to initiate a Lived Expertise Working Group on housing. Over the next two years the working group will be advising the City of Kitchener’s 
SDC continues to adapt to the ever-changing context and relationships as the scope and depth of the needs of underserved and underrepresented communities becomes more evident every day. We need also to take a deeper look at our own capacity to respond to multiple calls for assistance and collaboration, as well as, to determine our sphere of influence with greater precision and clarity. Your input on these topics at the Annual General Meeting will be invaluable - 
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