Blog

October 10^th, 2016

We are grateful for our collective community

Grateful for so much

Happy Thanksgiving! On this crisp, autumn weekend, we at Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region have a lot to be thankful for. As we sit around our collective community table, that of Waterloo Region, we can’t help but be reminded that our community is incredible.

To our amazing supporters, who help us build community initiatives and gatherings that all can enjoy and utilize, you are the driving force that makes Waterloo Region a great place to work and live. Your dedication to growing and strengthening the framework that supports us as neighbours and friends, is not without notice. More and more sponsors, donors, and foundations are becoming cornerstone organizations at many community conversations about what we can do as people, to make Waterloo Region the best place to live. Your dedication to the work we do is what helps us drive policy change, and step closer to inclusion and belonging for all. Thank you.

To the families and individuals that we support, your commitment and understanding that this world is yours for the taking is truly inspiring. Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region’s history started with families wanting to build relationships and community among neighbours, and that is still the driving force behind all that we do. Those that we support challenge us each day to find new and better ways to give you the best possible services, and help us thrive in our community development work. You’re the reason we work tirelessly to change the conversation, to push the envelope of belonging and inclusion, and to build grassroots events that any and all can attend.

To our staff, volunteers and Direct Support Person network, the initiative and drive you show in all that you do is noteworthy. Building relationships and community is not an easy feat, and yet many of you make it look effortless. Your servant leadership, and person-first mentality in all that you do makes Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region a unique footprint in our region. Community leaders and ambassadors look to your work and integrity as a benchmark for how people should conduct themselves. You are resourceful, kind, and willing to go the extra mile. Keep being innovative and doing the good work Waterloo Region needs.

To each organization that is having the conversation about disability rights, your courage is aw-inspiring. We engage in this conversation often, and with more voices coming to the table, our region and beyond is changing. There is an understanding that we need to do better, that we will do better. That disability rights is something we each need to acknowledge and work towards in our every day doing. Keep the conversation going. Build sustainable community that invites everyone in.

And to you. On this day of thanks, you’re taking a moment to reflect that there is good being done in Waterloo Region. You too can contribute. Join a local group, organize a barbecue (it might be a little cold for that, though), or strike up a conversation with a stranger. A small gesture to invite others to join in, to be a part of your community, goes a long way.

You’re amazing. We’re thankful for you.

 

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Interested in joining Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region? Check out our volunteer page, our open positions, or become a Direct Support Person.