Open Space Kitchener
2019-10-21 18:30 - 20:30, 2019-10-28 18:30 - 20:30, 2019-12-02 18:30 - 20:30, 2019-12-09 18:30 - 20:30, 2019-12-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2019-12-23 18:30 - 20:30, 2019-12-30 18:30 - 20:30, 2020-01-06 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) and 6 more dates | Queen Street Commons Cafe, 43 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 1V8, Canada
Join us each Monday at Queen Street Commons Cafe. All are welcome.
Open Space is a weekly gathering that promotes inclusion within the community by getting people together at a cafe for food, fun and conversation. All are encouraged and welcome regardless of ability, and you do not need to be supported by Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region to attend. Bring a friend, and enjoy.
In addition to weekly coffee and conversation, with the support of facilitators, attendees plan special events such as Halloween parties, Open Mic Nights and special guest nights.
Hosted in all three cities in Waterloo Region, Open Space is geared to being fully accessible for everyone. If you’re in Kitchener, Waterloo, or Cambridge there is an Open Space near you.
For more information, contact Kim Sproul at 519-741-0190 x 247 or kim.sproul@eafwr.on.ca

FREE Windshield Chip Repair – All-Brite Glass & Tint
2019-10-23 15:00 - 18:00 | All-Brite Auto Glass, 31 Manitou Dr., Kitchener, Ontario, N2C 1K9, Canada
FREE Windshield Chip Repair – All-Brite Glass & Tint
Join us Wednesday October 23 at All-Brite Glass & Tint (31 Manitou Dr., Kitchener) and have your windshield chip repaired for FREE ($89 value), with a donation to Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region. Donations can be made by cash, credit or cheque, and can be any amount. Insurance may also be accepted – ask at the event for more details.
Repairs take place from 3-6pm – no appointment necessary.
CORUS Entertainment will be live on location, broadcasting from All-Brite Glass & Tint’s parking lot.
For more information or to ask questions, please contact Kate at 519 741-0190 x 302 or kate.swift@eafwr.on.ca

Sex Talks
2019-10-23 16:00 - 17:00, 2019-10-30 16:00 - 17:00 | Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region, 91 Moore Ave., Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 3S4, Canada
Sex Talks is a workshop series all about sexual health and relationships. We will talk about consent and boundaries, gender and sexuality, masturbation, staying safe online and more. All questions are good questions and you will have time to ask about anything you want.
Sex Talks is a series of one-hour workshops, over six consecutive weeks. It is designed for people 16+ who have a developmental and/or physical disability, and is delivered in partnership with SHORE Centre. People under the age of 18 will receive a caregiver/guardian consent form to have signed before the series begins. This workshop is also open to all community members 16 years of age or older.

Sex Talks Details and Registration

Sensory-Friendly Screening: Detective Pikachu
2019-10-26 09:00 - 12:00 | Kitchener Public Library – Central Branch, 85 Queen St. N., Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 2H1, Canada
Kitchener Public Library, in partnership with Autism Ontario, will host a private, sensory-friendly screening of the movie “Detective Pikachu” on Saturday October 26 at 9 a.m. This event is open to individuals with ASD, siblings and their parents/guardians. Check out the event flyer for more details.
These screenings are presented in a lights up, sound down environment.
Spaces are limited and registration is required. Register today!

Block Party 2019, A Better Together Event
2019-11-09 19:00 - 23:00 | Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, 10 Huron Rd, Kitchener, ON, N2P 2R7, Canada
Join us to celebrate the neighbourhoods of Waterloo Region at Block Party, a Better Together Event in support of Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region.
On Saturday November 9, 2019, Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region will host its second annual Block Party fundraiser. Join us for an evening of fun, live music, craft beer, ‘street eats’, a DJ, pop up surprises and more!
Better Together Events are fundraising events for Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region. All proceeds from this event will go towards EAFWR initiatives. We support adults and families with developmental and physical disabilities in Waterloo Region and works to promote community, dignity and belonging for all. It takes a village and we invite you to come join our village and invest in a community where everyone belongs.
Get your tickets today:

Follow us on Instagram @EAFWR to stay in the know about our fundraising events.

Interested in becoming an event sponsor? Looking to volunteer at the event? We have lots of opportunities available! Contact Kate at kate.swift@eafwr.on.ca for more information.

NEW DATE: Cheers to Inclusion
2019-12-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Descendants Beer & Beverage Co., 319 Victoria Street North, Kitchener, ON, N2H 5E1, Canada
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region and Descendants Beer & Beverage Co. present:
Cheers to Inclusion!
Enjoy snacks + sample of the Andre Campbell Cranberry Ale.
Beer by: Descendants Beer and Beverage Co.
Label artwork by: Andre Campbell
Photography by: Edgar & Pooch Photography
Tickets are $8 online or at the door.
Get tickets here
Available in cans and on draught as of Dec. 1.

The story of Andre Campbell:

“Inclusion doesn’t have to be a big production…”
Local author and graphic artist Andre Campbell has dedicated his life to a simple but powerful message — the easiest way to make someone feel welcome is to start with ‘hello”. It doesn’t take big gestures to make a difference in someone’s world and to build communities where everyone belongs.
Andre has experienced social isolation and discrimination firsthand and works hard to support others from feeling the same way. He knows that when people are able to let their fear of differences fade away, then we can all truly embrace inclusion.
Andre uses his passion for graphic novels as a catalyst to share his passion for inclusion with others. His art has inspired others to follow their dreams and goals as well, something he takes great pride in. His career in the arts has introduced him to a community who he refers to as ‘his people”: the Cosplay and Comic-Con world, a community built on acceptance and unconditional love.
Andre’s dream is that one day, inclusion is something we don’t need to talk about at all, that we do away with labels, and are all recognized and valued as the human beings that we are. Even though we may not all be the same, we are all in this together. This is so important to Andre because he himself lives with a difference (physical disability).
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate people like Andre Campbell.
People who share how important it is to accept others. Who teach others to see all people for who they are.

​Andre Campbell Cranberry Ale, available in cans and on draught while supplies last.

Exploring Interests in Community
2020-01-16 17:00 - 19:30 | Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region, 91 Moore Ave., Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 3S4, Canada
Exploring Interests in Community is a workshop for those who want to be involved in their community, but are not sure where to start. In this interactive training, you will be talking about and identifying your interests and how to find resources in the community that support them. You will plan your goals in manageable steps and you will leave with the beginnings of an action plan.
Exploring Interests in Community Training Details and Registration

Understanding Conflict & Communication
2020-01-28 17:30 - 21:00 | Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region, 91 Moore Ave., Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 3S4, Canada
Understanding Conflict and Communication – Foundations & Clearing Conflict is a workshop for personal and professional development. You will become more aware of your preferred conflict style, identify situations where each conflict mode can be used most effectively and practice communication that clears up conflict.
Registration and Details

Information Session - Using technology to increase independence
2020-02-06 19:00 - 21:00 | The Family Centre, 65 Hanson Ave., Room 2015, Kitchener, Ontario, N2C 2H6, Canada
Waterloo Region Family Network and Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) will be holding an Information Session on Using Technology to Increase Independence.
When: Thursday February 6, 2020, 7-9 PM
Where: The Family Centre (Rm 2015), 65 Hanson Ave., Kitchener
Join Amber Armstrong, Housing Navigator for the DSO Central West Region, for a presentation on technology to promote independence.
You will learn about:
• the various types of technological assistance available today, and
• how others have used technology to increase independence and reduce support costs.
To register, please email WRFN at info@erfn.info
For more information, please contact Sue Simpson at sue.simpson@wrfn.info or 519-886-9150 ext. 1
Click here to see the event flyer

2019-20 Annual General Meeting
2020-06-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Ontario
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region will be holding its Annual General Meeting electronically via Webex conferencing on June 20, 2020 from 11 a.m. to noon.
If you are attending electronically, you must RSVP to receive the Webex meeting link by June 15, 2020 at 4:00 pm by emailing Heather Dowling at heather.dowling@eafwr.on.ca with your name and address.
Click here to view the Notice of Annual General Meeting of Members

Online Forum: Affordable Housing and Homelessness – Part of Wellbeing Waterloo Region's Virtual Fall Forum Series
2020-10-01 12:00 - 13:30 | Ontario
Join Wellbeing Waterloo Region for their first in a series of virtual forums on Affordable Housing and Homelessness on Thursday October 1 from 1:00-2:30 p.m.
At the forum, participants will have an opportunity to hear from a panel of speakers who will share their insights the Region’s Housing and Homelessness Plan, immediate needs of the unsheltered community, importance of housing supports and ways community members can help.
Register here: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/65/vox57f72

Affordable Housing Focus Group - Staff of Developmental Service Agencies
2020-10-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Ontario
Have your say! The City of Kitchener is seeking feedback and input for their Affordable Housing Strategy. This is your opportunity to help shape decision-making that will have a significant, positive impact on housing in our community.
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region asked the City to ensure that their consultations include people with developmental disabilities. Staff of Developmental Service Agencies are invited to share their ideas and feedback in a focus group hosted by City of Kitchener on Monday October 19 from 12-1 PM. This session will be held virtually on Zoom.
See the event flyer for more information.
To register, please email: Andrew Ramsaroop, Engagement & Program Manager, Affordable Housing Strategy at Andrew.Ramsaroop@kitchener.ca

Affordable Housing Focus Groups - People with Disabilities and Families
2020-10-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Ontario
Have your say! The City of Kitchener is seeking feedback and input for their Affordable Housing Strategy. This is your opportunity to help shape decision-making that will have a significant, positive impact on housing in our community.
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region asked the City to ensure that their consultations include people with developmental disabilities. People with disabilities and their families are invited to share their ideas and feedback in a focus group hosted by City of Kitchener on Monday October 19 from 6-7 PM. This session will be held virtually on Zoom.
See the event flyer for more information.
To register, please email: Andrew Ramsaroop, Engagement & Program Manager, Affordable Housing Strategy at Andrew.Ramsaroop@kitchener.ca

Summer Camp Planning Virtual Workshop - Kitchener/Waterloo
2021-02-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Ontario
Join KidsAbility for their Summer Camp Planning Virtual Workshop (Kitchener/Waterloo) on Tuesday February 2 from 7-8:30 P.M.
This free parent workshop is intended for families who have children with disabilities to learn about:

City of Kitchener and Waterloo summer camps
How to find inclusive and specialized camps in your community
How to access one to one supports such as volunteers or trained workers
Funding for camp fees and specialized supports
How to share information about your child to promote their success

Click here to register

Summer Camp Planning Virtual Workshop - Cambridge
2021-02-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Ontario
Join KidsAbility for their Summer Camp Planning Virtual Workshop (Cambridge) on Wednesday February 3 from 7-8:30 P.M.
This free parent workshop is intended for families who have children with disabilities to learn about:

City of Cambridge summer camps
How to find inclusive and specialized camps in your community
How to access one to one supports such as volunteers or trained workers
Funding for camp fees and specialized supports
How to share information about your child to promote their success

Click here to register

Virtual Camp Fair (Overnight Camps in Waterloo Region and Beyond)
2021-02-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Ontario
Join KidsAbility and Waterloo Region Family Network for their virtual camp fair on Monday February 8 from 7-8:30 P.M. The camp fair will be focused on inclusive day camps in Waterloo Region and beyond. Learn more about camp options and have your questions answered by the camp directors themselves!
Click here to register
