Waterloo is a strong, caring and connected community. During these uncertain times it may be difficult to think of ways to stay socially connected while remaining physically distant. We are here for you! We have provided helpful resources and links to help keep you engaged at home or close to home.

1. Join the Community Investment Team

Volunteers on the Community Investment Team (CIT) at United Way Waterloo Region Communities will learn about the needs, issues and opportunities affecting the lives of community members. They are currently seeking a team of volunteers that represent the Waterloo Region community, including members from multiple sectors, geographic locations, and personal backgrounds. As part of this team, volunteers will participate in the review and recommendation of Community Investment applications. To find out more about this opportunity, please contact Brian Kamm at bkamm@uwaywrc.ca.

2. Local volunteer opportunities on CKWR 98.5 FM

Tune in Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:15am to hear from the Volunteer Action Centre, one of WWR's partner organizations. Find a volunteer fit for you!

3. Virtual adult focused events are back for September

Adults are invited to register for the Staying Healthy and Well virtual events, running September 22 – December 1. Topics include easy fitness, cooking, historical presentations and a taste of the outdoors. Register for individual dates.

4. The Neighbourhood Matching Fund

Now is the time to reach out to neighbours and start brainstorming creative ideas to promote connection in your neighbourhood! Collaborate with two or more neighbours to apply for up to $7500 in matched funds to support projects that promote place-making and community connections. For more details on the application process and eligibility, check out waterloo.ca/NMF

5. The Many Shapes of Clay exhibit - The City of Waterloo Museum is ready to reopen its doors and welcome back visitors. The latest exhibit, The Many Shapes of Clay opens Tuesday, August 3. The exhibit will present a selection of over 75 historic ceramic pieces from the museum collection that illustrate a unique blend of cultural influences, and diverse array of styles from around the world. Examples of ordinary wares produced by early village potters will be showcased together with distinctive pieces created by early ceramic artists. Exhibition hours are Monday to Friday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., free admission.

NEW! Wanted: City of Waterloo Museum Greeter
Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m. (every other week)

Are you knowledgeable about the City of Waterloo and its history and do you enjoy interacting with others? We are seeking a friendly adult volunteer with a neat appearance and good communication skills to welcome visitors, provide information about the City of Waterloo, assist staff and record information. Museum is located in Conestoga Mall. Apply online today!

Ideas from our neighbourhoods team:

• Waterloo Neighbourhoods Edition 40
• Waterloo Neighbourhoods Edition 41
• Waterloo Neighbourhoods Edition 42
• Waterloo Neighbourhoods Edition 43
• Waterloo Neighbourhoods Edition 44
• Waterloo Neighbourhoods Edition 45
• Waterloo Neighbourhoods Edition 46
• Waterloo Neighbourhoods Edition 47
• Waterloo Neighbourhoods Edition 48
• Would you like to be more connected to your neighbours or are you connected to your neighbours but feel others could benefit from these connections? Our Hey Neighbour! block connector program could be just for you!
  
• We have produced a fun and engaging activity book that you can browse and complete while at home.
• Print out a pre-made sign and hang it up in your window today to celebrate and thank volunteers!
• If you've been thinking about a project that might get your neighbours together once everything returns to normal, maybe our neighbourhood matching fund is a good idea to help you along. You can apply for funds up to $7,500 for large and small projects including community gardens, outdoor rinks, street barbecues, playground upgrades, movie nights and more! Please visit waterloo.ca/nmf for details.
• Nominate a kind neighbour!
  Who are the kind neighbours in your area of Waterloo? What acts of kindness do they demonstrate? Consider submitting a quick and easy nomination to describe your kind neighbour's contributions.

Ideas from Waterloo Fire Prevention:

Our Fire Prevention team continues to educate the public about the importance of fire and life safety. With more people staying home all day, there is an increased risk of fire - here are some resources to help keep you and your family safe.

• Virtual home smoke alarm campaign

  City of Waterloo Fire Prevention Services is gearing up for the 2021 virtual home smoke alarm program. Prior to COVID, our firefighters would visit 4500 homes in Waterloo every summer and educate residents on home fire and life safety. This year, our firefighters have many resources to keep you and your loved ones safe from fire. You can read our media release about the program, and you can test your knowledge about fire safety and smoke alarms with our questions and answers for homeowners.

• National Emergency Preparedness Week takes place May 2 - 8, 2021 and local local municipalities, emergency services and utility companies use it to ensure people living in Waterloo Region are ready for any emergency. Read more in our media release.

• Remember fire safety during your spring cleanup
• Question & answer Information sheet for homeowners as part of the home smoke alarm program
• Fire safety tips doorknocker translated into Arabic and Mandarin
• Fire safety tips magnet translated into Arabic and Mandarin
• Google classroom - Public education officer John Percy has created a Google Classroom with helpful tips and resources for children and their caregivers to maintain fire safety while at home. Register or sign in to your Google Classroom account and use the code ckoh3rf to access this information.
• Home fire safety tips interview with Rogers TV
• Consider developing a home fire escape plan and practice it regularly
• Make sure you have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms on every storey of your home
• Teach your children the importance of never leaving the kitchen while they're cooking
• Additional information and home fire safety tips can be found at waterloo.ca/fire

We encourage the community to follow our fire prevention team on Twitter for additional information.

Ideas from our community partners:

• University of Waterloo Anti-Racism Resources

  The University of Waterloo share their Anti-Racism Resources page, designed to be a non-exhaustive list of resources intended to help students, faculty, and staff at the University of Waterloo in developing a deeper understanding of anti-Black racism, racism toward Indigenous folks and people of colour; as well as provide tools for campus community members to engage in anti-racism work across campus.

• A ‘Parks and Rec’ Virtual Escape Room - Agh! Andy lost the Master Binder with the plans for the Pawnee Li'l Sebastian Memorial Statue. Help Leslie find it before the money is reallocated! Join online!
  

• Woebot App for better mental health - Download the free Woebot App as a tool to support your mental health and wellbeing. Woebot is an artificially intelligent chatbot that helps individuals develop skills to challenge thinking and build healthy habits.
• Planet Rescue – A Family Educational Escape Room - You’ll learn more about environmental issues, the organizations fighting for it and what you can do to help. No previous knowledge is required. Parents are encouraged to stay with the kids to explain concepts as they move through the game. Please visit the virtual escape room to participate.

• It feels so satisfying to give back. View virtual volunteer opportunities shared by the Volunteer Action Centre.

• Join the Waterloo Public Library Virtual Book Club. A new book is featured each month and lively discussions are held online.

• Wazee Seniors Group - Wazee is a biweekly virtual program designed to foster social connections, communication and supports among the elderly within the Black community. Topics for conversation are structured to enhance knowledge sharing and network building, but also to identify and address social, health and economic needs. The Wazee group will run in collaboration with AFRO (African Family Revival Organization). Register by calling 226-336-1988 or email info@kindsfamilywellness.org. Learn more on their website.
  

• You can visit the Region of Waterloo's In This Together webpage and print the poster and colouring page. #BeKindWR
• Wellbeing Waterloo Region and the Psychosocial Pandemic Response Group have compiled a two-page document with some of the top resources being accessed in Waterloo Region during the pandemic. The document is meant to be a quick and easy roster of resources for anyone who is looking to be connected with supports.
• From the Regional Age Friendly Committee, read the new Celebration Project profiles and advice from older adults. Find tips for staying resilient and helpful during the pandemic and learn from the older adults in our community about healthy ageing.
• There are so many interesting podcasts you can listen to. Try the Happiness Lab (with Yale professor Laurie Santos) or Canada’s Calling (explore Canada with hosts Ashley and Mike).
• Need help? UW students offers free tech support for learning how to video chat, launch a Zoom meeting, or sign out books from the library electronically.
• Engaging with Equity - Given current events, many people are looking to engage in discussions about equity and systemic racism. “Challenging Systemic Barriers: The Equity Lens” is a video series that explores inequities in our communities and how we can better understand them and work towards eliminating disparate outcomes. The three-part series comes with a discussion guide that can be used individually or with a group. To view the videos and discussion guides, click here.
  
• Waterloo Regional Police Services' website (WRPS) has a kids corner with police themed activities like colouring pages and word searches. WRPS would love to see your finished work, so please feel free to share it with them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
• The Friendly Voice program - The Friendly Voice is a general wellbeing check-in to enhance social connections and reduce loneliness in our community. To register for the Friendly Voice program, please call 519-743-6333 and ask reception how to get started! Reception hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. but Friendly Voice hours may vary.
• Lions Quest Canada (a national charity sponsored by Lions and headquartered in Waterloo Region) is posting daily activities on Facebook & Twitter to support the social & emotional well-being of children
• Our Place Family Resource and Early Years Centre - Parenting in a Pandemic with Our Place
• Perimeter Institute - A fun, kid-friendly scavenger hunt to do at home
• Wellbeing Waterloo Region
• Children and Youth Planning Table
• Immigration Partnership

How are you staying socially connected?

Please use the tools below to share your stories and ideas. We'd love to hear from you! And if you have any questions or comments, please leave those below as well. We'll respond to you right away!