December 6th, 2023
With your support, we can create more opportunities for belonging in our community
Dear Friend of Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region,
Thanks to your generosity, we have grown our Community Development Initiatives across Waterloo Region. Your donations demonstrate your partnership with Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region as together, we champion an inclusive community where everyone belongs and is valued for their contributions.
Our organization identified a new set of values which guide the focus and intended outcomes of our work. These are belonging, community, equity, and relationships. Your donations, and these project outcomes, allowed us to see significant growth in 2023:
- expanded our Open Space drop-in programs from twice each week online to 5 meetups per week, with 1 online and 4 in-person locations across Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge.
- increased the KW Library of Things membership by 33% in one year and provided work-related experience to 5 individuals who faced barriers to employment.
- added 90 books that give a voice to people with disabilities to Little Free Libraries across Waterloo Region through our Turning the Page Together initiative.
- started a Caregiver Connection Group for new parents of children with disabilities to reduce isolation and build supportive friendships.
- mentored individuals who have lived experience with disability to grow as leaders and advocates, to add their voices to raise awareness about the problems of housing, poverty, and disability supports and be a part of the solutions.
- provided free or subsidized Summer Program camp for 36 children and young adults with a developmental disability, who otherwise would not be able to attend.
- provided 18 sessions of training in the areas of Inclusion, Conflict and Communication, and De-escalation to staff, volunteers, community members, and members of organizations across Waterloo Region.
This giving season, we are asking you to consider not only the additional costs associated with running and growing these vital programs, but also the lives of the individuals who access these programs.
Matthew* made friends at Open Space and now has a group that he meets with regularly to play board games.
After leaving an abusive relationship, Chantelle borrowed hand tools from the KW Library of Things so that she could upgrade her apartment, which is not something she had ever done before. This led to a moment of, “I can do this, I can make it on my own.” She said it was very empowering and is the kind of reinforcement that ensures she won’t slip back into the abusive relationship.
Arun loved attending camp this summer and reports that camp brought him feelings of community and acceptance and built strong friendships that will bring him back year after year.
Naisha learned employment readiness skills at KW Library of Things and proudly shared that she has a new job!
Sherri participated in inclusion training and is better prepared to welcome people with developmental disabilities into her workplace.
Your donations are making change that matters in our community. Change that starts as a small idea and grows into essential programs that improve people’s lives.
We are counting on your generosity to help fund our Community Development initiatives. Your donation of $25, $50, $100, or more will give us the ability to make sure these ways of making connections remain stable and grow to include everyone in our community and give them an opportunity to belong and contribute. Better Together includes you!
With gratitude,
Allan Mills
Executive Director
On behalf of the team at Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region
How to give
- You can donate securely online at CanadaHelps or by emailing Lisa at lisa.stanley@eafwr.on.ca
We encourage you to browse our website for more stories about people achieving their goals and meaningful connections created through a community of inclusion and belonging. You can learn more about the incredible work your donations make possible by checking Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube as well.
*names and images have been changed to protect anonymity
