Update May 13, 2022: Upstream Fund and Mental Health

Upstream Fund - A New Opportunity for Action

Thank you for all your contributions to the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan (CSWP) so far! We heard from many of you how important it is to stay in touch and build on the new relationships created during the engagement sessions. We are reaching out to you as part of that commitment and to work together to implement the many actions and suggestions that came forward.

We heard many times in the engagement sessions how important community organizations and groups are in creating a safe and well region. We also heard that they need more support. We hope a brand new Council approved fund, called the Upstream Fund, will help with this and support the community to grow their efforts. The $2.1 million annual fund will support community driven action that aligns with the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan. This will support a variety of action including Truth and Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and improving the Social Determinants of health for all.

In the spirit of collaboration, throughout the month of May, we are inviting you to be a part of a community conversation that will inform the decision-making on how the fund will work. If you are interested in hosting a conversation or participating in one held by a community group (to be determined) or the Region (Thursday, May 19, 6-7:30pm or Thursday, May 26, 2:30-4pm), please let us know by filling in your contact information. In addition, you share your ideas now by filling in this survey found below by June 30th, 2022 (EXTENDED).

Mental Health Update

Another key area of concern that came up across community engagement conversations for the CSWBP, was the need for alternative mental health crisis response in Waterloo region. The Region is committed to supporting partners in exploring an alternative mental health & addiction crisis response model for the community. We are partnering with mental health providers to engage in conversations as part of a co-design approach to developing this model. If you are interested in being a part of this process, please let us know by contacting Fanis Juma at FJuma@regionofwaterloo.ca.