Join us to hear compelling stories of community action on June 22, 2015 during the 48th Annual General Meeting of the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo. Continue the Decent Lives discussion to weave what is being done in the community into a deeper understanding of why community action and planning is important to our local landscape.

Stories will be shared by the Good Hearted Women Singers, an Indigenous and non-Indigenous women's drum circle, Crossing Borders, a youth group of refugees and Canadians who want to raise awareness and encourage social justice, Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo action group for poverty elimination, and Disabilities and Human Rights Group, a group for those who care about making our community more accessible to everyone

 Monday June 22, 2015

Lyle S. Hallman School of Social Work,
Auditorium 120 Duke St. W., Kitchener

6:00-6:30 pm - Annual Meeting
6:30-7:00 pm - Reception
7:00-8:30 pm - Stories of Community Action - 2nd Decent Lifves Community Forum: 

How does community action contribute to decent lives for people living in our community?
What can support this good work in our community, generally, and more specifically in our neigebourhoods?

Please tell us if any adaptation or accommodation is needed to support your participation.

2015 Membership still being accepted!
To RSVP or for membership information contact: admin@waterlooregion.org or 519-5779-1093/*3006 

Mino Ode Kwewak N’Gamowak: Bridging Communities Through Song

The Good Hearted Women Singers are an Indigenous and non-Indigenous women’s drum circle. Founded by Community Elder Jean Becker  in 2003, the group reflects a sweetgrass teaching. One blade of sweetgrass by itself is not very strong. It can break easily. When several blades of sweetgrass are braided together, the sweetgrass is strong and cannot easily be broken. Through Bridging Communities through Song, the group is building bridges through song with many groups and community, including the Waterloo Regional Police Male Chorus and various local Christian church communities. 

Crossing Borders

Students and recent grads from Waterloo Collegiate Institute have been working in partnership with the Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support to support refugee claimant youth in the Waterloo region. Youth gain the confidence and leadership skills necessary to advocate for themselves while working towards more inclusive environments at schools and in organizations. The group's model of inclusion illustrates tangibly how to break down barriers and build community.

Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo

The Poverty Free KW Action Group includes organizations and individuals dedicated to poverty elimination to mobilize the local community and unite voices.  Through the efforts of this group a Poverty Elimination Outcomes Framework has been developed that is used by the group to:

•Write submissions, proposals and letters to decision makers and elected officials

•Prepare delegations and presentations at consultations, budget hearings and municipal council meetings

•Organize and support forums, community conversations and dialogue

The Disabilities and Human Rights Group 

With a vision of a community that includes everyone, the group has been active since 2007, engaging regular discussions and given input on consultations and public policy. Examples are the AODA standards and accessible sidewalks. They have worked together to identify ongoing community issues and to find ways to help people’s voice be heard. The group is:

1.  A forum for educating, raising awareness and discussing issues related to human rights and disabilities.

 2. A starting place for ideas related to advocacy, system change, and pilot projects.

 3. An advocate for inclusion and equality for persons with disabilities.

 4. A training ground for self and community advocacy.

 5. A space to build relationships.