Pedestrian Access and Sidewalk Safety

Nov 9 2015

Sidewalks can be dangerous places for those who experience any degree or type of mobility challenge, be it balance or strength, using a walker or other mobility device or a having a sensory limitation such as a visual impairment. There is significant construction happening right now across Waterloo Region, especially in the central areas of Kitchener and Waterloo. The amount of construction and number of detours are making it a much greater challenge than usual at this time for anyone who travels by car but especially for those who must get around on foot, cycle or public transit. Please read the guidelines for property owners, service providers and the community as a whole.

Seniors and Access to Information through Technology

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Nov 1 2015

Seniors and Technology trainingOur team is launching the Seniors and Access to Information through Technology project. Read about it and let us know if your organization working with older adults has technology training needs. We expect to map this particular support service landscape and gather learning for many interested organizations. Your organization or group can be a part of the advisory process too if you get in touch with us.

Our Joint Work Continues after the Election

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Oct 21 2015

Kitchener Centre and Waterloo Meet the Candidates

Enjoy the notes and the videos from 2015 Meet the Candidates session! Read about the many ways in which we can improve lives in our community. People are wise and people care. Be a part of the work we do in social planning, join a group or an event and make sure the conversation continues. 

 


1st Community Social Planning Council Meeting

Oct 16 2015

The Board and the staff of the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo are thrilled to welcome new people and new ideas in its structure as the need for community based social planning is stronger than ever. Community builders from different walks of life and from different areas of the region stepped up to be the source of new vision and knowledge to advance the three priorities we have: strong neighbourhoods, poverty elimination, and access to information. On one end, we are asked to think big and beyond the usual ways of responding to crises in the community, and on the other, to make sure that we support creation of social infrastructure through that vision that makes responses to immediate needs possible. This challenge was embraced by everyone around the table. Stay tuned for ways you can join the dialogue! 

Record Numbers at Meet the Candidates

Oct 15 2015

Vote October 19People really do care about the outcome of this election! We have seen record numbers of people come out to the meet the candidates sessions we have hosted with our community partners. We ran out of chairs for both the Kitchener Centre and Waterloo riding sessions and added additional discussion tables in both. 

ConnectKW Career Development Position

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Oct 8 2015

The Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo is offering a career development work experience for a youth between 15 – 29 years with an interest in applying new information and communication technologies in support of social development,  with an emphasis on: Data visualization, Open source and open data, Web content management, Cloud applications and/or Social media and marketing.

To be considered for this position, forward: Resume and Cover Letter with a clear statement of learning objectives, career goals and qualifications by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday October 21, 2015.

Changing Workplace Review Deadline September 18

Sep 18 2015

Today is the last day for submissions to the Changing Workplace Review, consultation on the Labour Relations Act and Employment Standards Act. The Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group has supported the recommendations made by the Worker's Action Centre and the Ontario Federation of Labour. We as well align ourselves with the important points raised by the Social Planning Network of Ontario, looking into precarious character of work in the non-profit sector. Our submission speaks strongly about the need for proactive enforcement and greater accountability and compliance of employers if we are to build decent jobs and decent lives in the Province. What are your thoughts? 

KW Meet the Candidates 2015

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Sep 16 2015

KW Meet the Candidates 2015

As every election, we will be hosting our participatory Meet the Candidates sessions where both the candidates and the community members have an opportunity to get together and talk in an informal atmosphere. The purpose of these meetings is to provide a common ground for people with different perspectives and views to talk about the issues and policy directions that provide decent lives for everyone in our communities.

September E-Neighbour: See You at the Festival Finale on October 18th!

Sep 15 2015

September E-Neighbour is out! Get ready for the ever popular scrap booking activity to tell everyone about your activities this year. Read about the previous Finale Celebrations and expect even more excitement because you will be in the draw for prizes and awards! Registration deadline is October 5th at midnight. See what the last year's Neighbourhood Improvement Grant winners are doing, who won  the last Early Bird Prize this season, which ward is leading in the Challenge (not ward 10 at the moment), and what the winners of the Neighbourhod Connections award in Traynor-Vanier have been up to. Story from your neighbourhood can be in the next ENeighbour!

Party Platforms Analysis

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Sep 9 2015

Party Platform AnalysisJoin the Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group on September 18th in applying the local framework for Poverty Elimination to analyse the party platforms this federal election. We will be looking into proposals that ensure adequate income and a range of supports for all Canadians from affordable housing, public transportation, health care, child care to supports for seniors. Everyone in Canada deserves a decent life and you will be prepared to talk to your candidates about important social issues. Come when you can between 2 pm and 6 pm at YWCA KW 1st floor at 151 Frederick St. in Kitchener.