The Upside (June 2025)
Let's focus on good things happening in and around Waterloo Region
Cities face many complex challenges and the Future Cities Institute (FCI) aims to find much needed solutions. FCI brings together a network of leaders, practitioners, students, community members and researchers “to develop new tools and approaches for building healthy, prosperous and sustainable cities.”
Dr. Leia Minaker, director of FCI, says, “FCI will explore the trends, innovations and technological disruptions to meet this changing world. We're committed to working with cities to create tools that will help them visualize and estimate different types of outcomes for different kinds of decisions they make.”
More Starbucks employees are unionizing, including two locally, following the lead of the Uptown Waterloo Starbucks which organized in 2023. “The United Steelworkers said the staff at the Fairway Plaza location, and at the Indigo store in Conestoga Mall, have now reached their first contracts and collective agreement.”
Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.
Dolores Huerta
Speaking of the value of organizing, tenants at 267 Traynor Ave. in Kitchener are celebrating a recent victory as “Landlord and Tenant Board adjudicator Patrick Shea found that the building owner’s application has been abandoned and the tenants are free to remain in their rent-controlled homes.”
The City of Waterloo has achieved a 40% reduction in corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its 2010 baseline. Much of the reduction was achieved through electrifying city buildings and vehicles, expanding active transportation infrastructure, and integrating climate considerations into planning documents.
Who doesn’t love a cool story about space technology? And for it to have a local connection? Even better!
Waterloo Region’s KA Imaging's new X-ray detector was part of a mission to study Earth's polar regions from space. It is being used to track the effects of space travel on astronauts. The X-ray detector creates clear images of X-rays and while it can measure an astronaut's bone density while in space, it may also have important uses back here on Earth such as reducing the need for follow up CT scans for intensive care patients.
The United Way Waterloo Region is investing $550,000 in local organizations that address affordable housing and homelessness. “This funding will support emergency shelters, housing stabilization, and health-focused outreach like House of Friendship, a Better Tent City and the Cambridge Shelter Corporation.”
The Combatting Hate Action Table is developing a community-wide awareness campaign focused on reducing hate and increasing belonging in Waterloo Region. Complete a short survey to provide input on the campaign’s materials and messages. “The goal is to help create a community where everyone feels welcome, respected, and celebrated for who they are.”
Amy Nahwegahbow is a University of Waterloo PhD student and a member of Whitefish River First Nation near Manitoulin Island who examines how exposure to environmental contaminants may affect the health of northern First Nations communities.
“This topic resonates with me because First Nations are disproportionately affected by industrial pollution due to our deep connection to the land, reliance on traditional foods and proximity to industrial sites,” Nahwegahbow says. “Understanding the impact of these contaminants is important because it empowers First Nations to advocate for environmental justice to protect their health and drive policy change that will include their voices and respect their rights.”
82 Wilson Ave in Kitchener is expected to be completed this fall and will provide 48 new affordable rental housing units for seniors aged 60+. The new building will have space for a commercial kitchen, tenant gatherings, and a community partner to provide programming services for seniors.
Keep an eye out for the Region’s new Museum Bike which may be travelling to a neighbourhood near you this summer! “This mobile museum experience aims to increase inclusive, accessible programming, making it easier than ever for residents of all ages to engage with the Region’s museums and archives.”
Rhythm & Blues Cambridge is “a grassroots, nonprofit hub with a mission to bring together, empower, and inspire the Black community,” founded by Krysanne McLean, Brittney Emslie and Marjorie-Ann Knight.
For more information on Rhythm & Blues Cambridge and the Black Girl Excellence program, visit rhythmbluescambridge.com.
Beyond Housing is excited about two new projects coming to their 544 Bridgeport Rd E. location this year: a butterfly garden and eight new garden plots. Their recent newsletter notes that they “presently have five raised garden beds but more and more tenants are wanting to participate in growing and taking care of their own garden plot. By having 8 additional plots, more tenants can participate.” See photos from the garden installation day.
Learn more about the art installation Wintertime Stories at Kitchener’s newest library branch, the Southwest Branch, as told by the artists themselves - Nyle Miigizi Johnston and Isaac Murdoch.
Local community leader Marcia Smellie was recently named the City of Kitchener's 2025 Senior of the Year, presented by the Mayor's Advisory Council for Kitchener Seniors in partnership with Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and City Council.
“Marcia Smellie has been a tireless advocate for inclusive learning spaces that affirm the richness of our diverse communities. As a long serving community volunteer, Marica has served the Congress of Black Women – Waterloo Region for 30 years, including over 20 years as President. As Provincial Secretary for the Ontario Congress of Black Women for the past four years, Marcia has supported governance and the development of new chapters. Seeing a need for greater representation of persons of colour in political offices, Marcia co-founded Run4OfficeWR in 2020.”
The kids really are alright. Check out these 12 youth-led projects that recently received funding from the Youth Impact Project by the Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region and Smart Waterloo Region.
There are a number of good news stories about local affordable housing. Supportive Housing Advocacy Waterloo Region has highlighted the following:
Indwell’s new Magnolia Apartments are a partnership with St. Peter’s Lutheran Church at 49 Queen St. N Kitchener. This project provides 41 1-bedroom supportive housing units and is expected to open this fall.
The Working Centre’s Making Home project will add an additional 22 units of supportive housing at 97 Victoria St N. for a total of 44 units. The soup kitchen will also return to this location with a new community kitchen. Expected occupancy is 2026.
Beyond Housing's New Beginnings project, in partnership with Women's Crisis Services, will provide safe and supportive housing, with 54 new beds across 20 stacked townhouse units in Kitchener. This is expected to open mid 2026.
The House of Friendship’s new Friendship Village, is a two-phased supportive and affordable housing project in downtown Kitchener. Phase one will see 100 new supportive housing units constructed, and phase two will add 70 affordable housing apartments, creating a total of 170 new homes. Construction is underway.
Supportive Housing of Waterloo has designated their 25 units at 144 Erb Street Apartments as supportive housing for adults over 60. They are in the planning phase to construct additional units at this site.
The Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre will soon be home to a new public art installation. Tara Cooper, Kitchener’s artist-in-residence and associate professor in fine arts at the University of Waterloo, will lead the ‘community potluck’ project which “will include a series of five hands-on workshops, in which community participants will be asked about favourite foods and family recipes, and what they’d bring to the potluck.”
A new device developed in Waterloo Region may offer families a sense of security with its ability to “monitor babies in cribs, patients in intensive care units, the interior of vehicles for children or pets locked inside, dogs and cats in a vet clinic recovering from surgery or elderly people who want to live independently in their homes.”
Meanwhile Spaces is a project run by ArtsBuild Ontario that “allows local artists to temporarily take over empty buildings in Waterloo Region and aims to "cut the red tape" normally associated with renting space.”
Now that summer weather has seemingly arrived, perhaps you’ll want to head over to Waterloo Park (near the Bandshell) for an upcoming movie night on the big outdoor screen! Movies begin at sundown. On June 26th, you can watch 10 Things I Hate About You and on July 10th, Moana 2 will be playing. Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item to donate to the Food Bank.
As a regular transit user, I love hearing about upcoming improvements. The Conestoga Station will soon see new concrete on the bus island along with new shelters with seating, upgraded crosswalks, new tactile edges along the bus bays and tactile surfaces for navigating the station, the addition of a fare vending machine, and passenger information displays in each shelter. Construction is expected to start around mid-June and take approximately three months.
Also, route 201’s summer service will increase with 10 minute frequencies during the daytime on weekdays throughout the year.
And, I’m always excited to welcome new ‘bus priority’ lanes to the region so it was nice to see this recent addition to a Kitchener intersection.
Destiny Moser, an Indigenous chef in Waterloo Region, recently celebrated the grand opening of FoodZen’s first brick-and-mortar location at 12 Queen St. E. in Hespeler. “Known for delivering healthy, ready-made meals across the region, FoodZen has now expanded to offer hands-on cooking classes and pop-up events. The new space is both a production kitchen and a teaching kitchen.”
“The idea is not just about making and selling food, but about sharing the stories behind indigenous ingredients, like wild rice, juniper, sumac, sage, and more.” -Destiny Moser
Alvin Witcher is a local filmmaker who is deaf. He hopes to capture what it means to be deaf in Canada and demonstrate how others have overcome barriers in their everyday lives.
“It gives me the power to tell stories that matter — especially stories from the deaf community that are often overlooked,” said Witcher. “What stands out the most for me is the ability to turn an idea into something real and visual that can move people, educate them and shift their perspective.”
A GoFundMe has been created to support this work.
Pride month provides an opportunity to understand the history, accomplishments and ongoing struggles that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community faces today. The Kitchener Public Library wants to help. As noted in their most recent newsletter:
There are a variety of titles that highlight 2SLGBTQIA+ voices and stories available at KPL. Browse the list for children and the list for adults.
The Grace Schmidt Room of Local History holds the Ron Welker Collection and the newly acquired Grand River Rainbow Collection. Discover it in the Grace Schmidt Room of Local History or view the digitized collection.
Check out the QueerKPL Bike Tour to learn more about some of the significant locations relevant to Waterloo Region’s 2SLGBTQIA+ history.
QueerKPL provides 2SLGBTQIA+ programming and opportunities to highlight the stories of this community. Projects include the QueerKPL Postcards and the QueerKPL Zine. Explore the digitized postcards.
Kitchener is reviewing their Digital Kitchener Strategy to ensure it still aligns with our community’s needs. Help staff “understand what’s working, what needs to be improved, and how technology can better support everyone in our city. Your feedback will play a role in updating the strategy so that it better reflects the real needs and experiences of people across Kitchener.”
While there are likely classrooms full of children itching for summer break to begin, that break can leave some children without access to school food assistance programs. Fortunately, Food4Kids is here to help. During the summer break, food boxes loaded with a selection of fruits and vegetables, grocery staples and a grocery card are delivered to local families.
The program is dependent on generous donations from the community. Visit food4kidswr.ca to learn more.
With today’s, let’s say…challenging, relationship with the States, it may be no surprise that Captain Canuck has made a recent appearance in Toronto. However, what may be surprising is the local connection to who has donned the costume most recently - Cambridge Councillor, Scott Hamilton.
Upcoming Events:
June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. “For generations, many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities have celebrated their cultures, languages, and traditions at this time of year. The summer solstice holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for many Indigenous Peoples, marking a time of renewal, connection, and celebration.”
O:se Kenhionhata:tie (Land Back Camp) is hosting a Sunrise Gathering on June 21st at 7am.
Waterloo Public Square welcomes a new mural in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day. Learn more about the meaning behind the mural from artist Maddie Resmer.
Queer KPL: Family Pride Breakfast with Spectrum, Saturday June 21st, 10:00AM
Head over to the Southwest Community Library “for a dazzling brunch with some of our favourite sweet breakfast treats to celebrate Pride Month with Spectrum!”
The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery’s Pride Pins event on June 21st (12-2pm) allows you to create wearable ceramic pins that celebrate you! They will even fire your artworks and add a pin or magnet backing. “New to ceramics? No problem, we have cookie cutters in all kinds of shapes that are perfect size for a weareable pin.”
Ode’imin Giizis: Healing Through UNITY Traditional Powwow, June 22, 2025. The “outdoor powwow begins with a Sunrise Ceremony at 6 a.m. led by Myeengun Henry, followed by a full day of dancing, drumming, and celebration from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.”
And, let’s not forget about what I deem the official start of summer - it’s Multicultural Festival weekend!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for all those updates! It’s nice to read some good news these days.