The 16th Annual Kitchener Youth Action Council (KYAC) Awards were held in the Rotunda at Kitchener City Hall May 1st, 2013. Fahima Anwar, President of the Socila Planning Council Kitchener-Waterloo Board of Directors, and Nathan Pike, Secretary presented the Social Action and Justice Award on behalf of the Social Planning Council.
This year’s winner is an exceptional youth who, even at her young age, has impacted many lives in our community.
Want to make a difference in your community? Are you passionate about social justice and citizen participation? Join the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo Board of Directors and work with others who also want to improve our community.
Homelessness Awareness Week is happening May 5th to 11th, 2013.
Please see the attached document for events and activities that commemorate this important week of advocacy, education and action.
The Stepping Up and Speaking Up events on May 6th and 7th in particular focus on the importance of walking together and sharing experiences about the realities of homelessness in the search for realistic solutions to poverty and homelessness.
[click Read More for more information on the Stepping Up and Speaking Up events]
There were 18 delegations registered at the Special Council Meeting on casino in Kitchener on April 23, 2013, and there were four additional speakers - most speaking up for a casino-free Waterloo Region. Poverty Free Kitchener Waterloo Action Group and the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo addressed social and economic impact of a counter-productive approach to revenue generation, asking for a full and objective assessment of the proposal.
Mark your calender for the Annual General Meeting of the Social Planning 
Council of Kitchener-Waterloo on June 27th. We are hosting Housing Opens Doors Road Show Installation from 12 noon until 6 pm at the Kitchener City Square. The Housing Opens Doors campaign is a way into the world of safe and affordable homes, that lead to better health, good education and strong economy.
At 6 pm, we start our annual assembly at the City of Kitchener Rotunda. Come to talk about our shared values, project partnerships and poverty reduction campaigns.
The Festival of Neighbourhoods Team presented at yesterday's Kitchener Council Meeting and shared some of the stories, that go back to 1994. We will celebrate neighbours that have been with us for 20 years, and have special awards. The Early Bird prizes were announced as well, the Alpine Community won a prize for their Free Skate Day, and Edgewater Estates won a swim party from the City of Kitchener for their Snow Day in the Park. The new Early Bird Deadline is June 30th and stay tuned for more surprises!
Access Waterloo Region Annual Information Evening for persons with disabilities, their families, caregivers, and professionals within Waterloo Region is on April 9, Tuesday, 
from 5-8 pm at St. Mary's Catholic High School - 1500 Block Line Road, Kitchener. NEW online/downloadable Access Waterloo Region Resource Book 2013 is available!
Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo and the Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group have joined other cross provincial campaigns and delivered their pre-budget submissions to the Ontario Ministry of Finance. Our hope is that the 2013 provincial budget recognizes and reflects the need for investment in income security supported in numerous community conversations.
Poverty Free Ontario issued a statement and a Six Point Plan for a Good Faith Start to a social justice agenda.
Resolution for 2013 forum report is launched today at the Poverty Free Ontario assembly of 20 communities, setting a social justice agenda to eradicate poverty in Ontario. The intention of the January 19th Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo forum 
was to further define what successful social assistance reform would be, both at the system level, and in people's daily lives. Read more about the guidelines for developing local criteria for monitoring the outcomes of the reform success and join future conversations with Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group.
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23 Water St N, Kitchener, ON Canada N2H 5A4
519-579-3800 | 1-877-579-3859 | sdcwr@waterlooregion.org
Charitable Number: 107987166RR0001