2017 Inclusion Challenge

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Mar 11 2017

2016 FON Clothes LineThis year we invite everyone to take the Reach! Challenge, by designing neighbourhood gatherings in a way that breaks down invisible, but oh so real, barriers for people to participate. We know that sometimes there is a fine line between someone ‘wanting’ or ‘being interested’ in connecting with their neighbours and their not feeling comfortable, able or welcome to come out to neighbourhood gatherings. We are excited to be preparing a tool about how to be intentionally inclusive, accessible and welcoming based on our 24 year's long experience with Festival of Neighbourhoods. Read more in our March E-Neighbour. 

Cherry Park Neighbourhood Connection

Mar 7 2017

Unleash the Power of NeighboursMessage from Cherry Park: Unleash the Power of Neighbours! on March 24 at St Mark’s Lutheran Church. Cherry Park Neighbourhood Association and Social Development Centre are hosting gathering to explore what drives people’s action in their neighbourhood. They have been working together to create buzz around a special engagement process thanks to the Neighbourhood Connection Award won at the 2015/2016 Festival of Neighbourhoods Finale. We will support the current leaders and volunteers to connect with interested neighbours who want to explore what excites and inspires people to get involved and how to best nurture future engagement.

Living Wage: What Employees Say

Feb 23 2017

Employee Survey 2016 LWWRSocial Development Centre has been a member of the Living Wage Waterloo Region Steering Committee since its inception. In 2015, we led the evaluation process to learn what employers who joined appreciated most about the initiative. In 2016, we conducted a survey to learn about employee experience working for living wage employers. This is a report that incites action. Learn more about the Living Wage Waterloo Region and the ways to get involved. 

Pedestrian Connection Traynor to Fairway

Feb 17 2017

Door to door in Traynor-Vanier"It can take me 2 hours to get to FoodBasics and back with my walker because I take two busses. The bus transfer does not even last long enough."

"With two little kids for whom 30 minutes is too much to walk and going by bus around is too long for basic groceries."

"It is important to get to work early in the morning when not even buses go."

While the City of Kitchener is collecting input for a feasibility study regarding a pedestrian connection over ION tracks in Traynor-Vanier neighbourhood, our team made door to door visits and talked to 176 tenants to contribute valuable input about travel patterns in the area.

Benefits for All Ontarians

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Feb 13 2017

2017 Pre-budget submission to the Ontario Ministry of Finance: "It is not necessary to undertake a complicated pilot project to prove people are better off with more income. This has already been proven time and again. We urge you to consider the ethics of this plan and to not delay increasing basic assistance to people who face real desperation. Increase or augment social assistance rates to at least 80% of the Low Income Measure and increase Discretionary Benefits to at $15 per person... It is important that the provincial budget reflect what is important for people in a coherent, integrated and understandable way. A piecemeal approach that offers small gains for various groups will not reflect a rational perspective of what is necessary and appropriate for the investment of shared tax dollars to benefit Ontarians individually and collectively." 

REACH! Theme of the 24th Festival Season

Jan 13 2017

This year's theme asks ou to “Reach!” We want to encourage you to engage and extend yourself into your  neighbourhood, to reach out. You might find that doing so might increase your capacity, or your “reach”. Challenge yourself this year to reach out a little further! Read more in thE-Neighbour.

Winter Sidewalk Safety

Jan 9 2017

Disabilities and Human Rights Group LogoThe new year and the snowy weather are upon us. Disabilities and Human Rights Group is resuming its regular activity and the next meeting is on Wednesday, January 11 at 1:30pm-3pm at 74 Frederick Street in Kitchener. Besides the continuation of the winter sidewalk safety discussion, the group will be setting priorities for 2017 and identifying further challenges in support system navigation to strengthen its capacity for advocacy. Some of the identified areas to work on are: access to information, inclusion and strong neighbourhoods, housing, transportation and mobility, health care, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Standards. The group relies on the knowledge gained through experience and works from what people can do and contribute. Everyone is welcome to join.

Appeal for Due Process

Dec 12 2016

Appeal December 5 2016The Social Development Centre relies on partnerships such as the one we have forged with the City of Kitchener over the past five decades.  The work being done at the Social Development Centre deals with what is important to the community and fits well with the City’s own strategic priorities. For 2017, we have asked the City of Kitchener to restore core funding to the Centre to support our social development work.  Good process and fair treatment are important factors in building trust and community so it came as a surprise to our Board of Directors that we did not get any response about what we had proposed for 2017 and that our appeal was stopped and not allowed to proceed.  Representatives from our Board are presenting to City Council on December 12, 2016 their concerns about the process that has unfolded. Read more about our application and the appeal process and get in touch if you have questions or concerns. 

Social Data Associate Posting

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Dec 9 2016

The Social Development Centre Waterloo Region is seeking a candidate who has proven capacity in managing social data and using new communication and information technologies to manage, display and share data for social planning purposes with an emphasis on: creating and testing neighbourhood level social indicators, data visualization and cloud applications. This is a 500 hour position made available through Government of Canada Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's Youth Internships Program to provide career related experience to an eligible candidate 15-29 years of age who has completed at least one post secondary course and is eligible to work in Canada. Apply by 12 noon on Monday, December 19, 2016.

Basic Income Pilot Forum

Nov 21 2016

Basic Income Pilot ForumLearn more about Basic Income, the Finding A Better Way report and the recommendations that the Government of Ontario is considering to design a pilot project. We will discuss key points of the design of the pilot project in order to understand more and contribute to the public consultation: who to include, how to do it, where to do it and how to evaluate the outcomes. Have the conversation with your peers about this important project on Wednesday December 7, 2016 from 6:30 pm until 9 pm at the Trinity United Church Annex, 74 Frederick Street in Kitchener.