The project was initiated in 2017 in collaboration with the Commons Studio and will continue thanks to passionate community members who want to preserve stories and accounts about the 50 year's long community development legacy. Do you have a story to tell? You know people who we should talk to?
The videos on this page have been edited. For research and other publishing purposes, the full archive of Oral History Project Videos can be requested by contacting admin@waterlooregion.org or 519-579-3800.
Elizabeth Clarke, Kitchener Regional Councilor
"That special connection to the grassroots... I think that's the piece that the Social Development Centre brings that is completely unique."
Martin de Groot, Commons Studio
"It is that neighbourhood, community level where people actually live is the most important and also, what we really need is a connecting element that represents the nonprofit sector as a whole".
Jane Hennig, ED Volunteer Action Centre WR
"Their role is really about providing the voice to people who do not have a voice traditionally. That is where they stand out from other organizations".
Holly Corman, Past President of the Board
"Really hearing what people felt the community needed, so it wasn't somebody from up high looking over to see what needs to be put in place but people who lived here".
John MacDonald, John MacDonald Architect
"Trudy and the Social Planning Council would be bringing a voice to the table that wasn't always appreciated to be heard. When your conscience steps up to the microphone do you appreciate it?"
Barbara Spronk, Past President of the Board
"Trudy led this organization whose mission is to see into the future. There is no one else doing that".
Charles Nichols, Disabilities and Human Rights Group
"We need to find a way to make sure that everybody knows that everyone is valuable and valued and that their opinion, and even, really “out-there” ideas need to be heard because some of the staff we take for granted now used to be a dumb idea once upon a time".
Catherine Savage, Out of the Cold
"It's helpful to have that example in front of you of people valuing everyone. Some of the people we connect with are not the most outgoing and yet they have some very profound things to say".
Brad Ullner, Disabilities and Human Rights
"Talking about things from the people's perspective. Where policy is being economically driven, it is not necessarily easy to talk much about the people that are sort of in the way of that process".
