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! As a board member, you would support WRFN by focusing on strategic direction, community needs, and financial sustainability at the governance level. Your valuable skills would help us give direct support to families in the community who have children, youth, and adults with exceptional needs. We strive for diversity in gender, age, ethnicity and experience. We value lived expertise and welcome all applications. To express interest or seek further information please contact info@wrfn.info or visit https://lnkd.in/gu-FGtes to complete the application form. Please share with your network! #boardofdirectors #volunteeropportunity #community

WRFN is happy to continue Spectrum on the Spectrum as we spring into March!! This program is a joint effort with SPECTRUM Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community Space, which hosts it at 283 Duke Street West, Unit 21, and we have some fun stuff planned. This Sunday, March 2, join this group, which is designed for individuals in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who also have Autism. Feel free to bring crafts, books, puzzles, or anything else that will help you feel comfortable in the space. If you have any questions or concerns, you can email either Info@wrfn.info or info@ourspectrum.com.

We’re all feeling a bit tired of the snow! But here’s the good news: March is just around the corner, bringing with it the promise of spring. As nature begins to awaken from its winter slumber, kids gear up for March break adventures, and WRFN is here to help you shake off the snow! Get ready for exciting new events and activities! ✨ Subscribe to Family Pulse, WRFN’s newsletter, packed with a wealth of information on family, children, and adult programs, activities, webinars, resources, and much more from our community partners dedicated to supporting exceptional families in the Region. 📅 The March newsletter comes out next week! We’re actively seeking your feedback to improve our offerings, so please comment below with your thoughts! 👉 Sign up now via the link in our bio! Sign up now: https://ow.ly/7QBp50Sx8IJ.

🗳️ Tomorrow is Voting Day, WRFN Community! 🗳️ Just a reminder that tomorrow is the day to make your voice heard in the Ontario Provincial snap election! Here’s a quick rundown of the voting process: Check Your Registration: Ensure you're registered to vote. You should have received a voter information card. If not, you can register online or at your local election office. Bring ID: Don’t forget to bring one piece of ID showing your name and home address. Vote In Person: Head to your assigned voting location on election day. Casting Your Vote: Show your ID to receive a ballot. Mark your choice behind a voting screen. Return your ballot to the poll official. Celebrate: You've made your voice heard! Let’s shape the future of our community together! 🌟 For more information, visit elections.on.ca.

Join us tonight, February 26, at 7 pm for Our School Issues Support Group! The School Issues Support Group is a monthly, virtual, peer-led gathering for parents of children and youth with exceptionalities. You can share real-life experiences, tips, and strategies in a supportive environment here. This group is for parents with children participating in both distance and in-person learning. We meet on the last Wednesday of each month. To RSVP, please contact Lisa Cook at Lisa.cook@wrfn.info.

🌸 Pink Shirt Day 2025: Cultivating a Community of Kindness 🌸 Today, on Pink Shirt Day, we celebrate the transformative power of kindness and unity. This year’s theme, “Cultivating a Community of Kindness,” resonates deeply with us at Waterloo Region Family Network (WRFN), where we envision a community in which everyone—especially those with exceptional needs—is valued, heard, and supported. Bullying affects people of all ages, leaving individuals feeling isolated, alone, and powerless. In those quiet moments when cruelty seems to prevail, it’s the strength of our community that brings light and healing. Remember, if you experience or witness bullying, reaching out can remind you that kindness is ever-present—even when it feels hidden. If you or someone you know needs help, please consider these resources: 📞 Kids Help Phone – Available 24/7 at 1-800-668-6868 📞 Here 24/7 Crisis Line – Call 1-844-437-3247 For more ways to support and get involved, visit pinkshirtday.ca. Together, let’s cultivate kindness and create a community where no one feels alone. #pinkshirtday #cultivatekindness #youarenotalone #wrfn

"Early bird gets the worm" isn’t very elegant... how about "Early gets a ticket to a magical evening?" Join us for the 10th Annual Evening of Elegance on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Federation Hall as we celebrate a decade of elegance and 15 years of the Waterloo Region Family Network. 🌟 Early Bird Tickets are on sale now! 🌟 These special tickets are only available for three weeks, starting today, February 24. Don’t miss your chance to secure your spot at this unforgettable evening. What’s in store? ✅ Exquisite wine and delicious tasting stations ✅ An elegant night of mixing and mingling ✅ A silent auction featuring unique items from local businesses and artisans Doors open at 7 pm, and all proceeds support families and individuals with exceptionalities in our community. Get your early bird tickets now: https://ow.ly/UzkB50V5tJu. #10theveningofelegance #WRFN #earlybirdtickets #support #families #15years #15yearsofWRFN #getyourtickets

Upcoming LifePath Webinar: Conscious Listening & Speaking The program highlights how conversations today are often filled with questions, leaving little room for genuine connection. This LifePath webinar, led by Independent Facilitation Practitioner Judith McGill, will help participants develop deeper listening and speaking skills to foster meaningful relationships with those they support. Dates: March 4 & 18, 2025 Time: 9 am – 12 pm & 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Mode: Webinar Fee: $250 per person or $200 per person for groups of two or more This two-day webinar is designed for parents, siblings, facilitators, and community support workers who are dedicated to supporting individuals in achieving their aspirations. What You’ll Learn: Supporting others in setting their own pace and direction Practical tools for fostering a fulfilling life The role of leisure in creating balance Insights from Developing Leisure Identities: A Pilot Project Participants will engage in exercises that promote self-reflection and a deeper understanding of how meaningful conversations build trust. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/eHU9ih8Q WRFN is sharing this opportunity on behalf of LifePath Courses from Independent Facilitation.

Starting Together: Supporting the Transition to High School! Change can be challenging, but you're not alone! As parents/guardians of students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs), transitioning to high school can feel daunting. It's natural to feel uneasy about this significant shift. You're Not Alone! The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB), Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), and Waterloo Region Family Network have partnered for a Parent and Student Information Evening Event to support you! We are "Starting Together" to ensure your child has the tools and confidence to make this leap. Join Us! 📅 Date: Tuesday, March 25 🕒 Time: 6:30 - 8 pm 📍 Location: WCDSB Education Centre, 35 Weber St. W., Unit A, Kitchener, ON Join us for an informative panel discussion on helping your Grade 8 student transition to high school. To register, email info@wrfn.info. Let's embark on this journey together! 💪✨

As we observe Family Day, the Waterloo Region Family Network (WRFN) would like to celebrate the diverse tapestry of families in our community. Family is about the connections and support we share with our loved ones, whether they are blood relations or the people we choose to have in our lives. At WRFN, we recognize that the definition of family is not one size fits all, and we embrace the rich diversity that makes our community so connected. Today, and every day, we are grateful to be a part of this incredible tapestry of families in Waterloo Region. You are the heart and soul of our organization, and we are here to support you, celebrate you, and walk alongside you on your journey. Wishing all the families in our community a very happy #FamilyDay! We'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to comment below how you are spending this special day with your loved ones.