NEW Study: Displacement in Kitchener’s Inner Suburbs

Sep 26 2022

Displacement in inner suburbsDisplacement in Kitchener’s Inner Suburbs: Experiences and perspectives from low-income tenants: A key aim of this report is to centre the experiences of low-income tenants, focusing on their day-to-day experiences and the knowledge that they have about changes in their buildings and wider communities. Too often, these voices are omitted from mainstream planning and policy debates. By assembling and amplifying these voices, we can shift beyond isolated stories and anecdotes in order to identify trends which shape the lives of communities that are rarely heard. We thank you University of Waterloo and City of Kitchener for their collaboration.

Eviction Prevention Posting - Boost for the Three Cities

Sep 15 2022

We are offering an initial three-month contract with 15 hours per week at $25 per hour to be filled as of October 1st until December 31st 2022. A monthly transit pass and/or gas expenses covered.

We currently have two eviction prevention peer-workers in Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge supporting tenants from underserved populations, particularly BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+. The worker will coordinate the tasks with the two colleagues and focus most of their time within the City of Waterloo communities.

Civic Hub Research Advisory Group In the Making

Aug 20 2022

Research and Engagement Coordinator at the Civic Hub has joined our team in July - Lia Forma has experience in supporting the work of underserved communities, needs assessment studies, and connecting with a range of experiences in kind and compassionate ways. She is currently assembling an Advisory Group of community minded folks who are already with the Hub partner groups and some who are not, for the post-pandemic direction setting for the Hub and for the broader community of equity seeking groups and initiatives.  

Kitchener's Lived Expertise Working Group Priorities 2022

Jul 15 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. 

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cCHALLENGE Pilot Project Wraps Up

Jul 8 2022

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Building a strong sense of individual agency can be the first and necessary step in countering the climate change locally. A group of nine participants, undertaking multiple challenges instead of just one, learned and shared over 30 days their successes, challenges, and shifts in thinking about change in the current social, economic, political and multi-cultural contexts. What is the environmental footprint of A Better Tent City? How would diverse meat-eating traditions adjust to the current meat-alternatives inspired food production and consumption? How do we instill new sets of values to the children regarding technology, energy consumption, reusable containers? How do we experience food growing, preparation and enjoyment as spiritual? Why are colder showers so invigorating? The report we are compiling will

Research and Engagement Assistant Position

Jun 28 2022

Civic Hub Waterloo RegionThe 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. Applyl by July 10th at midnight by submitting a resume and a statement of interest lpin@wlu.ca and join the renewal at the Civic Hub Waterloo Region!  We especially encourage applications from the Civic Hub members and/or individuals from underrepresented groups.

Many Faces of Displacement in Ontario

Jun 22 2022

Many faces of displacement"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. 

Living Rooms Initiative Lives On

Jun 20 2022

Living Rooms 2021

COVID Safe Spaces - Living Room partnerships project funded by the Canada Healthy Communities Initiatives has come to an end... but it will live on through the two local initiatives Civic Hub Waterloo Region and Kitchener's Festival of Neighbourhoods! We have learned more about safety in a range of communities, beyond COVID safety, namely, physical, cultural, spiritual, emotional, and community safety. Our pop-up spaces were created in collaboration with the SHEN Centre, Peace for All Canada, L'Harmonie Indigenous Garden, Bring on the Sunshine, A Better Tent City, some of the unlikely places for a sofa and a floor lamp to be usual fixtures. Watch the full presentation of the project, and we hope to sit with you on the same sofa soon for an unusual conversation about safe public spaces.

An Honest AGM June 28th

Jun 14 2022

An Honest AGMSDC 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 - register for June 28th, 6pm-7:30pm on Zoom.

Activities Report 2021 - Financial Report 2021 - Strategic Plan 2021/24 
Board Candidates Info Package 2022 - Become a Member - Donate!

Living Below the Line

Jun 10 2022

Living Below the LineCivic 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.