Waterloo Region Family Network - WRFN

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Waterloo Region Family Network - WRFN

WRFN is a peer-developed & peer-driven network that supports families of children with special needs, with or without a diagnosis, in all life stages.

09/25/2026

A new season is a great time to build new connections!

Subscribe to Family Pulse and receive monthly updates on community events, support groups, educational opportunities, and resources to help you navigate your family's journey with confidence.

Sign up at https://buff.ly/fbdaExr

09/24/2026

YMCA Early Years and Child Care Navigator and the Region of Waterloo Child Care Subsidy teams are hosting an in-person session to help parents and caregivers create a OneList account and apply for child care subsidy.

The session will take place on
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Time: from 9:30am-12pm.
Location: at Kitchener Public Library Central in Kitchener.

Parents and caregivers are welcome to drop in at any time during the session
or register at https://form.jotform.com/261964335799273 to book an appointment.

Please see the attached poster for additional details.

09/24/2026

Woolwich Community Health Centre is offering Free routine immunizations to help you stay protected.

Dates:
Tuesday Sept 29th
Tuesday Oct 27th
Tuesday Nov 24th

Location:
Woolwich Community Health Centre - Linwood Site
3777 Manser Road, Linwood

Cost:
Free

To register please call:
226-338-4132

https://wchc.on.ca/

Reminder to bring your yellow vaccine card with you.

09/24/2026

Developmental Service Ontario is looking for your feedback on how they are doing. Share your recent experiences with them.

Scan the QR code or visit the link below to take the survey
https://www.dsontario.ca/feedback

09/23/2026

School Issues Support Group

Peer support in a safe space for parents and caregivers to discuss
school-related questions and concerns affecting their children with
exceptionalities.

Real-life experiences, tips, and strategies shared by others.
Everyone will have an opportunity to share their experiences, ask
questions, and contribute to the conversation.

A short, practical school success topic led by the Family Network.
Each meeting begins with a brief 15–20 minute learning
session, followed by an open group discussion focused
on real-life experiences, tips, and strategies.

For: Parents and caregivers of children with exceptionalities.

When: Last Wednesday of the Month
Time: 7pm - 8:30pm
Location: Virtual
To Register: email [email protected]

09/22/2026

Create & Connect: An Art Retreat for Parents and Caregivers
Saturday, November 7th, 2026, 10am to 4pm
Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery (www.kwag.ca)

Join Rachel and Wendy from Stepping Stones Expressive Arts for a day of playful creative exploration. Our day will include some structured activities as well as free creating time. Try different art media including painting, collage, sculpture, textiles, needle felting, drawing, writing, and more!

Come and connect with other parents and caregivers for this supportive and light-hearted retreat day.

Previous participants have said:

"It felt like a short vacation!"
"It was just what I needed"
"I feel renewed!"

There is NO FEE to join. This retreat and all Create & Connect programs are funded through the Matthew MacGregor Charitable Giving Fund.

Morning refreshments and a light lunch (with vegan and gluten free options) will be provided. No art making experience is necessary to participate!

To register:
Please email [email protected] and provide your name, cell phone number, and information about any food sensitivities or preferences you might have.

Enrollment is limited, so please register early.

NOTE: This is a day for parents, adult siblings, grandparents, and other unpaid caregivers who are caring for someone with a lifelong disability.

09/22/2026

The YMCA Early Years and Child Care Navigator team is hosting a free virtual session designed for parents and caregivers to:
meet the EYCC Navigator team,
learn how to set up a OneList account,
discover how to apply for child care programs,
get information about early learning supports and paying for licensed child care—including how to apply for child care subsidy from the Region of Waterloo’s Subsidy Team.

Join them Virtually

Date: Tuesday September 29
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm.
Cost: Free

To Register go to:
a52b8ad6-b3a4-433c-998e-b66a49c7514a@03ce9fb8-e3cf-46d6-8214-708097f71c55" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a52b8ad6-b3a4-433c-998e-b66a49c7514a@03ce9fb8-e3cf-46d6-8214-708097f71c55

09/22/2026

New to Kitchener?
New resources that support newcomers and help make Kitchener a more welcoming and inclusive community.
Welcome to Kitchener Web Guide,
a new online resource that brings together trusted local, regional, and government information in one easy-to-navigate place. The guide was created in response to community feedback and is designed to help people who are new to Kitchener find the information, services, and supports they need.

The Welcome to Kitchener web guide includes:
https://www.kitchener.ca/welcome-to-kitchener/
• An arrival checklist for newcomers
• Links to local newcomer services and supports
• Information about living, working, learning, and connecting in Kitchener
• Translation options in multiple languages to improve accessibility
We would appreciate your support in helping us share these resources. Please consider:
• Sharing the web guide and newcomer strategy through your communication channels
• Printing and displaying the attached promotional material in your offices, community spaces, and service locations
• Sharing these resources directly with clients, residents, volunteers, and community members who may benefit from them

Municipal Newcomer Strategy
https://www.kitchener.ca/strategic-plans-and-projects/projects/municipal-newcomer-strategy/

a three-year roadmap developed through community engagement and collaboration with local organizations. The strategy focuses on strengthening supports for newcomers, identifying service gaps, and building on existing community assets to help newcomers thrive in Kitchener.
Together, we can help ensure newcomers have easy access to the information and supports they need to feel welcomed and connected in our community.

09/22/2026

Family Centre Fall Wellness Fair

Join Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre for an afternoon of connection with local organizations offering free resources for children, youth, and families.

Join them at the Family Centre Fall Fair for a fun-filled afternoon of activities, workshops, and music.

A day filled with fun activities and valuable resources to support the well-being of children and youth in Waterloo Region. This in-person event will feature interactive workshops, informative sessions, and booths from a wide array of partners. Don't miss this opportunity to connect and discover ways to enhance the well-being of the young ones in your life.

Date: Saturday Oct 17,2026
Time: 2:00-4:00 PM
Location: 65 Hanson Ave, Kitchener
Cost: Free

To Register go to:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/family-centre-fall-wellness-fair-tickets-1998962376278

09/21/2026

Help Shape Future Hospital Spaces
Your experience matters.

The Family Network, in partnership with Waterloo Region Health Network (WRHN), is bringing together parents, caregivers and self-advocates for a community focus group – and we want to hear from you.

This conversation is about the hospital environment.

We will be talking specifically about how the physical design of the hospital spaces can affect your experience, including:

• Accessibility and ease of movement
• Lighting and sensory considerations
• Signs and wayfinding
• Building layout and design
• The overall experience of navigating a hospital

Have you ever been in a hospital and thought:

Why is it so hard to find where I am going?
Why is the lighting so overwhelming?
Could this space be easier to navigate or more accessible?

You don't need to be an expert. Your lived experience is the expertise we are looking for.

Your feedback can help inform the planning of future spaces and ensure the experiences of the people with disabilities and their families are a part of the conversation

Join Us
Thursday October 8, 2026
6:30-8:00pm
500 Hallmark Drive, Waterloo

Interested in participating?
Space is limited. Email [email protected] to register.

Address

500 Hallmark Drive
Waterloo, ON
N2K3P5

Website

http://www.wrfn.info/

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