Waterloo Region Family Network

Are you looking for opportunities to volunteer and get involved in the #WaterlooRegion? We are currently looking for volunteers to join our Board of Directors! To express interest, please contact info@wrfn.info or visit: ow.ly/rM6150JsZr0

WRFN has decided to depart from X. We remain committed to connecting and advocating for our community; the current state of X is at odds with our core values of inclusivity and accessibility. We cannot continue here until X makes a genuine effort to address toxicity and ableism.

Hey folks, Do you have: ✅Experience with the child/youth mental health system? ✅Knowledge to share about live-in treatment? ✅Passion to build a better future? Apply to join the youth and family advisory committee for the Ontario Intensive Treatment. ow.ly/AY3H50UC3r4

Don’t miss the Intro to ODSP Webcast from Partners for Planning happening tonight at 7 pm! 👉 Register here: ow.ly/KTbN50UBVjx. Learn about eligibility, application, asset exemptions, and how income impacts benefits. Expert Graeme Treeby will present and hold a live Q&A.

A New Chapter is back! Join us TONIGHT, Jan 7th, from 7:30-9 pm, for our first meeting of 2025 on Hiring a Support Worker from those with lived experience. With the Ask Us Anything segment from 9 - 9:30 pm. Email Mary at maryjpike@hotmail.com to join our mailing list.

WRFN Drop-In Sessions @EarlyONWR in Jan 2025 (10-11 am): Jan 7: EarlyON Cedar Creek, Ayr Jan 8: EarlyON Riverside, Elmira Jan 14: EarlyON Water St, Cam Jan 15: EarlyON St. Boniface, Breslau Jan 22: EarlyON Roger St, Wat Jan 28: EarlyON Oak Creek, Kit Contact lisa.cook@wrfn.info

We are so incredibly grateful to have a fantastic community! Here is a message from Sue Simpson, WRFN's Executive Director. Looking forward to a great 2025!

From all of us at WRFN, we wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and connected New Year's celebration. Here's to an amazing new year ahead! You can visit ow.ly/mG2e50Uyr2y support WRFN as we journey into 2025. Thank you for your support, and happy New Year.

WRFN wishes those who celebrate a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Our office will be closed Dec 25 - Jan 1, with remote work Dec 27-31 and unavailable on Dec 25, 26 & Jan 1. Wishing you a joyful holiday season with your loved ones!

WRFN is excited that a 2nd $10,000 matching donation from The Matthew MacGregor Charitable Giving Fund has been made! Our campaign is now until Jan 27 in tribute to Mathew's birthday. The 1st anonymous $10,000 has been matched. Visit here ow.ly/7VTa50Uq734 to donate today!

Kaleidoscope Kids, In partnership with @EarlyONWR and @KidsAbility, is on pause as we gather community feedback to help us relaunch the program in March 2025. We would love to hear from you about how to make it more inclusive! Please take the survey: ow.ly/Kx5W50Uva0l.

The new year is right around the corner, a perfect time to try new things and subscribe to Family Pulse, WRFN’s newsletter, which is chock-full of programs, activities, webinars, resources and organizations supporting exceptional families Sign up now ow.ly/7QBp50Sx8IJ.

WRFN's Ask A Self-Advocate program is led by Cristina Stanger, our Self-Advocacy Liaison. Individuals with disabilities and their families to discuss goals, challenges and questions. For more info or to book, wrfn.info/ask-a-self-adv… | cristina.stanger@wrfn.info, 226-753-9090

Hello WRFN Community, Our office will be closed from December 25 to January 1. Remote Work: December 27-31 Unavailable: December 25, 26, and January 1 Wishing you a joyful holiday season spent with your families and friends! Thank you for being part of our community!

Thank you for your interest in the Kaleidoscope Kids program from WRFN, @EARLYONWR, and @KidsAbility. Due to low attendance, we’re pausing the program in January. We’ll relaunch in March after gathering your feedback. Join us for our final session before the pause on Dec 17! 💙

🎄 The holidays can be tough for families with exceptional needs. Help us ease their stress! Donate to our "Finding Relief in Support" campaign: Donate today: ow.ly/jaJo50Uq4vS. #HolidaySupport #WRFN #Christmas #Christmasstress #xmas

Our School Navigation Workshop Series continues! Join us on January 22 from 6:30 - 8 pm at The Family Centre (65 Hanson Ave) for our IEP Workshop. What makes this workshop so valuable? 🤔 It's hands-on! Bring your child's Physical IEP! Email info@wrfn.info to register today!

Our friends @KarisDisability are hosting virtual Artshine Workshops this January. Over 4 Wed evenings, 6-7 pm, participants will create art and get a supply kit. It's $75 for all 4 sessions (plus $15 shipping). Register by Dec 13 - contact Katie at 519-400-7875 or kweir@karis.org

Our friends @marchofdimescda are offering a FREE 6-week program, "Paving the Path," to help young people prepare for work and volunteering! It is available virtually in the GTA, Peel, Hamilton, St. Catharines, and London. Register: tkennedy@marchofdimes.ca | 📞 807-355-1631

Toronto! @DisabilityCoTO is hosting a Disability Holiday Market this Sunday, Dec 8. There will be arts and crafts by artists with disabilities, vendors, live music, and more! If you know of any accessible holiday events from other Canadian cities, tag us! thedisabilitycollective.com/holidaymarket2…

Attention WRFN Community 15th Annual Policy Forum on Inclusion recap is now available! Click here to see the full highlights: inclusioncanada.ca/2024/11/26/hig….