One Million Neighbours is all about finding the common ground between the community groups and non-profits who are working to make our communities a better place. In 2024, we gathered together to talk about what issues are most important, what priorities need the most attention, and how we can envision a future where growth leaves no one behind.

So far, we’ve hosted 4 roundtables with participation from 72 organizations across Kitchener, Cambridge, and Waterloo. The range of expertise in these discussions has truly been inspiring. From climate change to newcomer support, from early childhood learning to addictions, from housing to food security, we’ve worked together to see these topics not as separate silos but as an interconnected whole.

While we are not yet ready to share our full findings from the discussions (there are still 4 more to come in 2025!), here is a diagram showing the various overlapping topics that non-profits and community groups have identified as priorities:

There’s a lot going on here! But it’s important to recognize that we live in a complex society of intersecting identities, needs, and communities. These categories were not laid out at the beginning of our process; these are the topics that have emerged out of our ground-up, collaborative approach to roundtable discussions.

As we move forward with the remaining roundtables this winter, we will continue to adjust and refine our collective vision: a future that is inclusive, resilient, and abundant, with measurable outcomes to keep us on the right path, and with a vividness that inspires hope and collective action.

Many thanks to the 72 participants, 11 hosts & facilitators, 6 researchers, and 20+ advisors who have been a part of this project so far. There’s lots more to come in 2025!