Poverty Free Kitchener Waterloo Action-Group has used the Local Framework for Successful Poverty Reduction to address the funding for discretionary benefits, as well as the communication about eligibility of benefits and the need for wider and more inclusive budget consultation process. Watch the archived webcast of the session at the link Council Webcast and read Poverty Free KW submission documents: Local Framework for Poverty Elimination letter and slides.
Donations of new and used items such as toys, toiletries and other products can really brighten the day of women, children and families who have limited budgets or who will be spending their holiday season in a shelter or away from home. There are also many toy, clothing and other kinds of drives happening during the holiday season to support charities and non-profit organizations. The attached outlines some ideas for donating items during the holiday season.
Here is a list of Christmas Meals in Kitchener-Waterloo that are open 
to anyone in need of a hot meal this holiday season. Thanks to various community groups for this information.
Please share widely!
If you come across any dinners in Kitchener, Waterloo or Cambridge that aren't on our list, please contact gillian@waterlooregion.org
There are many different places to volunteer your time around the holidays to help support holiday events, toy drives, fundraisers, meals and other special events.
Many organizations rely on volunteers to help make the holidays a positive experience for the populations that they serve. Download the attached PDF for some ideas of places to volunteer in Waterloo Region and make a difference this holiday season!
The Poverty Free Waterloo Region group will be reminding the Region of Waterloo councilors of the importance of discretionary benefits in their upcoming budget. These benefits have been reduced and restricted in 2013 at the same time that the Community Start Up Benefit (CSUMB) was cut. The 2014 Discretionary Benefits fact sheet has been created 
to paint a picture of the importance of maintaining current levels of funding for Discretionary Benefits, to fill the gaps in assistance for many people on Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Have your say and support Discretionary Budget Funding at the next Region of Waterloo 2014 Budget Hearings
December 4, 2008, the Ontario government responded to community pressure by announcing its Poverty Reduction Strategy – a five year plan targeted at reducing child poverty in the province.
On Let’s make sure that the next strategy has the vision and resources needed to build on the progress 
made for our children during the past five years to lift all Ontarians out of poverty in the coming five years. Tell your MPP that strong action is required to build on the last strategy to lift everyone out of poverty.
Please see the attached media release for details on how the Disabilities and Human Rights group will be celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and wrap up their Stories of Dignity and Respect campaign .
A New Year begins for the Festival of Neighbourhooods. We are already collecting registrations gearing up for the first Early Bird Draw for all the activities you hosted by December 31st. Halloween and the Holiday season offers many opportunities for neighbours to get together indoors and outdoors! Read our November newsletter and tell us more about the great neighbourhood of yours.
The Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo is seeking an experienced, energetic and highly organized person to ensure efficient operation of our organization, projects and programs by overseeing and coordinating all office resources and record keeping, facilitating team communication and ensuring projects activities are supported and on track. See the attached job posting for more details on the position and how to apply.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: noon on Friday December 12, 2013
While the 2014 budgets are being planned, Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group is joining many provincial networks and some municipal governments, including Region of Waterloo, in asking that the last year's 42 million in transitional funding becomes permanent support to housing and homelessness-related programs. Read the Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo letter of support here.
You can join this demand by forwarding the attached letter to the Provincial and Municipal Governments.
© Social Development Centre Waterloo Region
23 Water St N, Kitchener, ON Canada N2H 5A4
519-579-3800 | 1-877-579-3859 | sdcwr@waterlooregion.org
Charitable Number: 107987166RR0001