Homelessness Awareness Week, May 5-11th 2013

| Filed under:
Apr 25 2013

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]

Consultation on Casino in Kitchener

| Filed under:
Apr 23 2013

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.

Annual General Meeting and Housing Opens Doors

| Filed under:
Apr 22 2013

Mark your calender for the Annual General Meeting of the Social Planning Housing Opens DoorsCouncil 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.

Festival of Neighbourhoods Shares the Spirit

| Filed under:
Apr 16 2013

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 Night

| Filed under:
Apr 8 2013

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!

Ontario 2013 Pre-Budget Consultations

| Filed under:
Mar 22 2013

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.

Six Point Plan for Action on Poverty Eradication

| Filed under:
Mar 14 2013

Poverty Free Ontario issued a statement and a Six Point Plan for a Good Faith Start to a social justice agenda.

Kitchener-Waterloo Criteria to Monitor Social Assistance Reform Success

| Filed under:
Mar 8 2013

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.

March E-Neighbour Released

| Filed under:
Mar 6 2013

The new E-Neighbour is out, introducing this year's theme "20 Years of Celebrating Neighbours!". We wish to share our pride in what we have accomplished together, and to take a look ahead into the year, announcing exciting initiatives and activities. Expecting your Early Bird registrations before the next deadline on March 31st for all the activities organized since October 2012!

Resource Development Manager Contract Position

| Filed under:
Mar 5 2013

The Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo is seeking a Resource Development Manager to assist with the first year of a longer term project to operationalize a resource development plan for the organization. Deadline for applications is Monday, March 25, 2013 at 12:00 noon.