We had a wonderful gathering last Thursday, with lots of candid discussion about how we can support one another in a collective way.

We talked about improving One Million Neighbours’ social media presence. We discussed the funding opportunities that will help keep this project going over the next year. We broke out into small group conversations about specific issues like transit service and food security. And we has a brainstorming session about one of the most common issues facing many organizations in this region: access to affordable and accessible space.

We’re on Instagram! Thanks to Rodney Chan for taking the initiative on this one. To better communicate our activities and connect with new neighbours, we now have an Instagram account. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/onemillionneighbours

Community garden space available in Waterloo: A private landowner near Erb St & Westmount Ave has 10 garden plots available for interested gardeners. If you’re interested, contact Doug at waterloo.region.community.gardens@gmail.com

Peer support for Afro-Francophone newcomers: Familles Afro Francofun, a Cambridge-based organization, offers a range of programs to help newcomers, particularly from Francophone African communities, find connection and support as they settle in Waterloo Region. Mamans & Savoirs is a group for mothers, Repères des Pères is a group for fathers, and they also offer youth programming. They have found a new home for their activities at Langs communtiy hub — another One Million Neighbours participant! Learn more on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570626463265

Microgrants for parks: $2000 grants are available for almost any community event in a publicly accessible green space — whether in a city park, social housing property, or schoolyard — that fosters ongoing care and protection of these spaces. Learn more and apply here: https://parkpeople.ca/initiatives/td-park-people-grants/

Kitchener Love My Hood Grant Writing Workshops: this week, there are two grant-writing workshops for Kitchener’s Love My Hood matching grants! Tuesday Feb 3 at Kingsdale Community Centre, and Wednesday Feb 4 at Forest Heights Community Centre. More details here: https://www.lovemyhood.ca/en/tools-money/neighbourhood-matching-grant.aspx

Affordable studio rental: Inter Arts Matrix has announced rental opportunities for their professional white cube gallery space located steps away from downtown Kitchener. It’s a perfect location for performances, exhibitions, workshops, rehearsals, and more. For more information, check out their website: https://interartsmatrix.ca/rentals

SMART Healthy Cities Training Opportunity: Grants are available for students who are interested in the development of healthy cities from a systems and equity perspective. Apply by this Thursday, Feb 5: https://smart-training.ca/smart-funding-call-2026-2027/

Calls for a bluebelt in Waterloo Region: Amid ongoing water supply uncertainties, Citizens for Safe Groundwater has developed a proposal for a “Blue Belt” that would encompass the Waterloo moraine. It would work in the same way the Green Belt works to protect vulnerable habitats and farmland from development. Read more here: https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2026/01/28/local-advocates-want-to-see-a-blue-belt-created-to-protect-ground-water/

More trees in neighbourhoods: Community Canopy is a program by REEP Green Solutions that partners with municipalities to enable property owners to increase tree canopy in equity-deserving areas. This program is currently available in certain neighbourhoods in Kitchener and Cambridge. Could your neighbourhood use more trees? Take a look here: https://reepgreen.ca/community-canopy/

Council of Canadians seeking new members: The Council of Canadians is a Canadian non-profit organization that advocates for clean water, fair trade, green energy, public health care, and democracy. After several board members have stepped back, they are looking for ways to build new capacity and partner with like-minded organizations. Please respond to this email if you’re interested in contributing your time to this organization!