November 7th, 2021
You can support a community of connection, belonging and inclusion
Dear friend of Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region,
As 2021 comes to a close, we want to recognize you. Making it through the uncertainty, instability and stress of the last year has not been easy. I hope that you have felt the impact of our community coming together to support one another and that you have continued to find ways to make connections and build relationships.
I know that many people with disabilities have experienced feelings of increased isolation more so than any other group during this pandemic. We have heard this repeatedly from families we serve and the adults we support. Our team has been here to serve our families throughout this challenging time, finding ways to ensure that connections and relationships remain a priority.
All of us have struggled through this pandemic in some way, but each of us differently. The next challenge we face as we return to the community is being able to meet each person we support where they are currently at. Some will be more than excited to return to “normal” and others may feel anxious or overwhelmed returning to a community they remember, but that looks and feels very different.
We will continue to be here for them. We will continue to provide individualized support to our families and the people we serve, just as we have always done. We will support through listening, acknowledging the struggles, showing we care, and doing what we can to help. We will help everyone discover their new “normal”.
We know how important it is for people with a disability to have a place where they feel like they belong, where they have friends and relationships with others, and where they feel welcomed, safe and supported.
Our Community Development initiatives create those places and spaces for people to grow, to be included and confident as contributing members of our community.
No one wants to feel like they are on the outside.
Don’t we all just want a place where we feel like we belong?
Through our Community Development Initiatives, like parent connection groups, ball hockey tournaments, Open Space, and Library of Things (just to mention a few), we’ve been able to foster a sense of community, safety, connection, and belonging. We hear that from you!
We want to continue to build on our Community Development initiatives and expand our connections and impact in the community so that everyone who experiences marginalization in some way can feel welcomed, safe and like they belong.
We know our community is ready to respond and we know we can bring community partners on board to create those spaces and connections – we need your support to help us do that.
Your donation of $25, $50, $100 or more will fund our Community Development initiatives and will allow us to facilitate those connections in our community to ensure that not only the people we support, but everyone in our community has an opportunity to belong and to contribute. Better Together includes you.
With gratitude,
Allan Mills
Executive Director
On behalf of the team at Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region
How to give
You can give securely online at Canada Helps or by emailing Becky at becky.klokoff@eafwr.on.ca
On our website, you’ll find more stories about people achieving their goals and meaningful connections created through a community of inclusion and belonging. You can learn more about the incredible work your donations make possible by checking Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube as well!
- Filed under Blog, Community, Direct Support People, Youth