Get Informed

The Social Planning Council has myriad ways to inform, educate and illuminate you on a wide variety of information about Waterloo Region. We offer:

  • Printable and searchable material we publish that can help you get informed about the services, programs and organizations available to the Waterloo Region community;
  • Reports, articles and reference material that we produce to help you understand the social context and needs of the people living in Waterloo Region or communities within the Region;
  • Clippings from local newspaper and web publishers relevant to social development in Waterloo Region. We scan all local newspapers and are linked to numerous communication networks to help you stay informed; and
  • A searchable library catalogue with sharable reports and documents from a wide range of authors in and beyond Waterloo Region with material relevant to social development in Waterloo Region

Community Information

The Community Information Centre, a program of the Social Planning Council, is dedicated to keeping up-to-date information on thousands of community programs, services and organizations within the Region. We run an Enquiry Service, where anyone can call and find answers to any question they may have about Waterloo Region. In addition to this valuable resource, we also offer

  • Community information directories and resources, like the Blue Book: Directory Of Community Services
  • Print-ready resources on a wide variety of information
  • Basic Needs Guide, a guide to navigating the many services available in the Region for people trying to meet immediate or basic needs
  • Access Waterloo Region, created in partnership with the school boards and other organizations as a guide for parents of children with disabilities
  • Booklets and pamphlets on everything from recreational facilities in the Region, resources for seniors, child care, counselling and support, employment, family needs, housing, resources for new Canadians, parent and child programs, and parenting.

Downloads

Community Information Database

Online access to our database is available here or from several partners:

Social Planning Documents

Reports, articles and reference material to help understand the demographics, social makeup and needs of communities in Waterloo Region as well as community development practice for those wanting to work more effectively in the community.