Forum to promote inclusion in Waterloo

Waterloo – Last year at this time more than 100 members of the community came together to make a difference by participating in the Focus on Inclusion – Waterloo Community Action Forum.

Building on that success, the second annual forum is on April 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Hauser Haus at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.

“We really want to bring people together to talk about what is important to take action on and the kinds of things we can all do as individuals, as groups, as agencies – it doesn’t matter who you are, there’s action that we can all take,” said Trudy Beaulne, executive director of the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo.

“If you’re feeling like you want things to be different and you’ve got some idea as to how you want it to be, then this is a good opportunity for you to come and share with others and discuss what you might do to make a difference for the community as a whole, your family and your neighbours.”

Hosted by Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran and the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo, the forum will begin by highlighting some of the initiatives that grew out of last year’s event – when such themes as poverty and community engagement of marginalized people, homelessness and adequate housing, and inclusive learning environments, emerged – followed by group discussions on ideas that will frame future action.

“I encourage everyone who is interested to attend this forum. We are lucky to call this diverse community home, and this event gives people who feel marginalized, for whatever reason, an opportunity to speak out and be heard,” Halloran said.

Since last year’s forum, the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo and a range of others have worked to enact change in such areas as reducing poverty, making the community more “livable” for people with disabilities and building relationships in neighbourhoods.

James Hunsberger has seen the impact the forum has had first-hand. As a senior with cerebral palsy, he raised the issue there of making the community more inclusive to people who are aging with disabilities, and has since worked with the council to bring the Livable Community Project to Waterloo.

“Last year’s forum reflected a wonderful engagement of people from local government, services and consumers, who came together to begin to envision what a real inclusive community would be in Waterloo,” he said.

He said the event’s organizers should be commended for their efforts. This forum is the first public opportunity he’s had to discuss his concerns, and he expects that this year’s talks on the subject will be elevated to the next level.

“I’m hoping that Waterloo can not only embrace the fact that some of its citizens are growing older, as well as aging into or with disabilities, but that it will also provide a community where life can be lived to the fullest,” he said.

Beaulne said the event is increasingly relevant in light of the current economic crisis, which can foster a feeling of isolation among people who have been impacted by its fallout.

“Poverty-related issues are all related to income, so if prices are going up and people have lost their jobs or fear they might, these are factors that keep them from living full and confident lives,” she said. “The whole point of the forum is action and addressing the issues that make it difficult for people to be fully involved in the community.”

Admission to the Waterloo Community Action Forum is free, and the day-long event is open to everyone. In order to keep costs down, organizers are asking participants to bring their own brown-bag lunches.

Please register by April 13 online at http://focusoninclusion2009.eventbrite.com, by calling Kim or Susan at the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo at 519-579-1096 or by emailing kim@waterlooregion.org.