Social Development Centre Waterloo Region

POSTPONED: Cutting Through Elections Noise, Part 2

Social Development Centre WR has made the difficult decision to postpone our event, Cutting Through Elections Noise: A Forum for Builidng Community Power (Part 2), which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 23 (7pm - 9pm). To all those who already RSVPd: we're so disappointed that we won't be seeing you this Wednesday. And we apologize for the inconvenience caused by this last-minute change.

REDIRECTING OUR ATTENTION TO AN URGENT LOCAL ISSUE

Our hope with the Apr. 23 event was to build on the success of our last pre-election event (which took place in February just before the snap provincial election). But this date now conflicts with a Region of Waterloo Council meeting where Councillors will be reviewing a new bylaw that may require unhoused community members to vacate the 100 Victoria St. homeless encampment by Dec. 2025. Keeping reading for more info about SDC's concerns and next steps...

SDC Pre-Election Event To Focus On Community Power

The last-minute annoucement of a provincial election has left many of us reeling. And there's a growing sense that our governments and political processes don't work for us.

But what if we can turn our collective anxiety into something productive? That is our hope with "Cutting Through the Noise: A Forum for Building Community Power." Happening Feb. 21 (7-9pm), the event will create a space for us all to catch our breath, acknowledge our worries, and practise building local collective power in the face of systems that fail us.

Only together can we create the futures we want. Grassroots organizers, community groups, and residents from across Waterloo Region are welcome. Please RSVP today and share widely.

REVISED JOB Posting: F/T Financial Coordinator

Feb 14 2025

Are you looking to apply your bookkeeping and fund accounting experience to initiatives that advance social justice in Waterloo Region? Join our team as a full-time Financial Coordinator!

Check out our revised job posting with a new hourly rate ($32/hour), competitive benefits, and more. In your capacity as SDC's Financial Coordinator, you'll work with our Executive Director and Board Treasurer to manage day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping responsibilities. This includes bookkeeping, financial management, and reporting for a number of fiscal partnership with our grassroots partner organizations through our Shared Platform.

Review the revised job posting, share in your networks, and apply by February 28, 2025.

Petition: Ask Kitchener Council for a Renoviction By-Law

Renoviction Bylaw Petition Alert (Jan 2025) Renovictions are a massive tool of displacement in Kitchener. They are a tool wielded by landlords, often illegally, to maximize their profits by moving rent-controlled tenants out of their homes. But once these tenants are displaced, they often become exposed to the risk of homelessness as rents elsewhere have skyrocketed beyond their reach. You can help fight this trend - sign our petition asking Kitchener City Council to establish a renoviction by-law.

> Sign the Petition
> Read About Our Tenant Organizing Work in The Record

SDC Office Closed Dec. 23/2024 - Jan. 3/2025

The SDC office will be closed and our team will be taking a break between Monday, December 23, 2024 and Friday, January 3, 2025. We will be back at work the week of Monday, January 6, 2025, but our response times may be a little slower than usual as we catch up after the break and dedicate some time to planning for the year ahead. We wish you well over the next couple of weeks and will see you in the new year.

SDC Stands With Community Groups Against Safer Municipalities Act

SDC is extremely concerned that the Safer Municipalities Act tabled by Premier Ford seeks to punish people for being homeless instead of providing the safeguards and supports they actually need: housing, rent control, income security, and a continuum of mental health and addiction support for those who need it.

We stand with local community groups opposing this legislation, which came after weeks of escalating efforts to criminalize people who are unhoused. Keep reading to learn how you can show your solidarity, and to view a timeline of events surrounding this legislation.

SDC Statement on Opposition to Notwithstanding Clause

SDC is encouraged that a growing group of local Councillors is voicing their opposition to the 15 Ontario mayors requesting the use of the notwithstanding clause, a powerful constitutional tool that can override the Charter-protected rights of unhoused community members living in encampments – and we call on all elected officials in Waterloo Region to join this principled action.

Read media release | See how you can help

SDC Supports Kitchener Councillor's Motion on CTS Sites

Clipped image of SDC Statement Supporting Kitchener City Councillor Chapman's Motion re: CTS Sites SDC fully supports the motion being brought to Kitchener City Council on Monday, September 30, 2024 by Ward 9 Councillor Debbie Chapman in relation to provincial funding for Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) sites. The motion urges the Ford government to continue funding these sites, including the one located at Sanguen Health Centre in downtown Kitchener, beyond the recently announced deadline of March 2025. Want to add your voice to the conversation? Register to delegate at the Council meeting!

Read our statement | Register to delegate

Our 3rd Annual Ride for Refuge is on Oct 5

Will you support SDC in saying, no more action about us without us? Join us on October 5, 2024 (10am - 1pm) for Ride for Refuge, a family-friendly fundraising bike + walk in support of people seeking hope, safety and freedom.

Team up with your friends and family
Pick a route to either bike or walk
Help raise money so we can continue our important work
And join us afterwards for a light meal at SDC

Register, donate, and learn more today!

SDC Statement on Planned Closure of CTS Sites

SDC is deeply concerned about the provincial government's decision to close 10 Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) sites in Ontario, including the CTS located at Sanguen Health Centre in downtown Kitchener. The decision is anti-science, anti-evidence, and yet another way to limit the healthcare options available to Ontarians. We stand in solidarity with all those who are asking Premier Ford and Health Minister Jones to keep CTS sites open across Ontario.