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From time to time, the Waterloo Region Family Network (WRFN) is asked to distribute information on behalf of third parties. WRFN provides general information to self-advocates and families of children with special needs. The information provided on this website is not a recommendation, referral or endorsement of any resource, therapeutic method, or service provider. WRFN is not responsible for any information or services provided by third parties. You are urged to use independent judgment when considering any resource.

 


 

Upcoming Coffee Club Activities - Zoom Links plus In Person Schedule


Here is information about upcoming in-person and Zoom Coffee Club Activities:
Monday, November 11, 7 to 9 P. M. We will go to a restaurant!
 
Monday, November 25, from 7 to 9 P. M. KW Habilitation (99 Ottawa St., South, Kitchener) We will watch a holiday movie.


Monday, December 2: 6:00 to 8:30 P. M. KW Habilitation (99 Ottawa Street South, Kitchener) Apron and cookie decorating with Kim and Paula. We will be decorating cookies and aprons. There will be room for 20 participants. The cost is $5 per person and you must RSVP by 9 AM by Friday, November 8.
 
Monday, December 9, from 7 to 9 P. M. Coffee Club Holiday Potluck at Carmen's House (6 Willow Street, Waterloo). Everyone can bring a dish to share, please let me know what that is by 9 AM on Monday, December 2.
Somewhere in there we will try to go see Moana 2 in theatres. I will keep you posted!
_______________________________________________________________________
 
Here is a reminder about Coffee Club Zoom Thursdays. Please TEXT Carmen at 519-500-7153 if you need anything. Coffee Club Zoom will run from 3 to 4 P. M.
 
Coffee Club 2024
        Every week on Thu, until Dec 19, 2024
        Oct 24, 2024 03:00 PM
        Oct 31, 2024 03:00 PM
        Nov 7, 2024 03:00 PM
        Nov 14, 2024 03:00 PM
        Nov 21, 2024 03:00 PM
        Nov 28, 2024 03:00 PM
        Dec 5, 2024 03:00 PM
        Dec 12, 2024 03:00 PM
        Dec 19, 2024 03:00 PM
 Click here to join Zoom Meeting

 

Trish Coupal at 10:00 AM
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Post Secondary Information Night

Trish Coupal at 9:58 AM
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2024 Report from the National Council on Poverty

 

English follows French

MAINTENANT DISPONIBLE – Il est temps d’agir : Le rapport de 2024 du Conseil consultatif national sur la pauvreté

Le Conseil consultatif national sur la pauvreté aide le gouvernement du Canada à demeurer responsable envers les Canadiens afin de réduire la pauvreté en rendant compte des progrès réalisés relativement aux cibles de réduction de la pauvreté établies dans le cadre de la Stratégie canadienne de réduction de la pauvreté.

Le cinquième rapport annuel du Conseil, intitulé « Il est temps d’agir : Le rapport de 2024 du Conseil consultatif national sur la pauvreté », a été déposé au Parlement et est maintenant disponible en ligne.

Faits saillants :

Les discussions menées avec des personnes ayant vécu la pauvreté, des organismes communautaires, des universitaires et des experts ont orienté la rédaction du rapport. Elles ont eu lieu en ligne au cours de cinq séances thématiques et en personne dans quatre régions du pays.
Le rapport reflète le ton des conversations qui ont eu lieu cette année. Ces dernières ont été plus difficiles que celles des années précédentes, étant donné que plusieurs personnes nous ont fait part de leurs sentiments de désespoir, d’isolement et de solitude. En outre, elles ont exprimé leur désespoir quant à la nécessité d’une action urgente pour contribuer à la stabilité dans un contexte où les coûts ne cessent d’augmenter, où les salaires et les avantages sociaux sont insuffisants et où le taux de pauvreté augmente.
Le Conseil rend compte des progrès réalisés en vue d’atteindre les cibles du gouvernement en matière de réduction de la pauvreté cette année, dans un contexte de convergence de multiples crises relatives au coût élevé de la vie, aux problèmes de logement, à la crise des opioïdes, aux changements climatiques et à l’environnement post-COVID. Le Conseil souligne le fait qu’en plus des mesures urgentes, les efforts de réduction de la pauvreté doivent produire des résultats durables et mettre l’accent sur la prévention et les mesures en amont pour éliminer la pauvreté.
Dans le cadre de ce rapport, le Conseil a formulé six recommandations sous trois thèmes :

Combler les besoins essentiels pour prospérer : cela comprend des mesures pour faire face à l’augmentation du coût de la vie, réduire les besoins impérieux en matière de logement et accroître la sécurité alimentaire.
Améliorer l’accès aux prestations et la fourniture de services : cela comprend le besoin d’adopter des mesures peu restrictives et équitables pour faciliter l’accès aux prestations et aux services, ainsi que des mesures de soutien supplémentaires pour les initiatives de navigation des systèmes et pour le secteur à but non lucratif.
Bâtir des collectivités fortes et favoriser l’équité : cela comprend un plan pour combler les lacunes en matière d’inégalité de la pauvreté afin de réduire le taux de pauvreté dans les groupes marginalisés.

Au début décembre, le Conseil tiendra une séance de discussion ouverte en ligne afin d’y présenter les faits saillants du rapport. Nous vous communiquerons bientôt les détails de cette rencontre.

Nous vous encourageons à lire le rapport, à le transmettre au sein de vos réseaux et à nous aider à poursuivre la conversation.

 

 

NOW AVAILABLE – A Time for Urgent Action: the 2024 report of the National Advisory Council on Poverty

The National Advisory Council on Poverty helps the Government of Canada stay accountable to Canadians for lowering poverty by reporting annually on the progress made to meeting the poverty reduction targets set in the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

The Council’s fifth annual report, A Time for Urgent Action: the 2024 report of the National Advisory Council on Poverty, has been tabled in Parliament and is now available online. 

Key Highlights:

The report was informed by discussions with people living with poverty and people with lived experience of poverty, community organizations, academics, and experts. These discussions were held virtually during 5 thematic sessions and in-person in 4 regions across the country.
The report reflects the tone of this year’s conversations. These felt heavier than in the past as people shared their feelings of hopelessness, isolation, and loneliness. People described feeling desperate for urgent action to help bring stability amid continuously increasing costs, inadequate wages and benefits, and a rising poverty rate.
The Council reports on the progress made toward the Government’s poverty reduction targets this year amidst the convergence of multiple crises caused by the high cost of living, housing challenges, the opioid crisis, climate change and the post-COVID environment. It emphasizes that in addition to urgent action, poverty reduction efforts need to provide sustainable results and focus on prevention and upstream actions to eliminate poverty.
In this report, the Council has made 6 recommendations under 3 themes:

Meeting vital needs to thrive: this includes measures to address the higher costs of living, decrease core housing needs, and increase food security.
Improving access to benefits and service delivery: this includes the need for low-barrier and equitable measures to facilitate access to benefits and services and additional supports to systems navigation initiatives and the non-profit sector.
Building strong communities and enabling equity: this includes a plan to address poverty inequality to decrease the poverty rate in marginalized groups.

Early in December, the Council will be hosting a virtual townhall to present key highlights of the report. Details will be shared with you shortly.

We invite you to read the report, share it within your networks, and help us continue the conversation. Together, we can build a more equitable, safe, and compassionate country for all.

 

Click here to view the report

Trish Coupal at 9:43 AM
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November 2024 Family Pulse

In the November issue of Family Pulse, you will find information on:

 

SEAC Updates
What's Happening at WRFN
Program Spotlight: Ask A Self Advocate
Welcome to the Team Lisa Cook
WRFN's Drop-ins at EarlyON
Kaleidoscope Kids
Spectrum on the Spectrum
A New Chapter
EarlyON Resource Page
Community Info, Resources and Opportunities  

 

Click here to read this month's Family Pulse.

Keenan O'Donoghue at 12:15 PM
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This is My Life - Podcast Series Launch

‘This is My Life’ Podcast Series 

Our second podcast launch and conversation! 

A Virtual Event - Wed, Nov 13, 2024   6:30 - 8:30 pm

 

With the beautiful fall sunshine and cooler air upon us, what better time to come together for warm conversation and the launch of our second podcast in the This is My Life Series called Gaining New Perspectives!

This event features another courageous person and family in Ontario who have lived experience with individualized funding and independent facilitation, and who are working toward a good life. We could all use an opportunity to gain new perspectives! 

 

Please join IFCO for this virtual event on Nov. 13, 2023 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Click here to register or email with your name, phone number and town or city you live in.

 

We are excited to welcome members and friends - individuals, families, leaders, partners, supportive agencies and organizations, family networks, People First groups, independent facilitators, and like-minded provincial grassroots groups.  Come out for the roll out of this podcast, and listen to it for the first time together, then join in the conversations and gain new perspectives.

 

The formal part of the event ends at 8:30. People and families are invited to stay on from 8:30 – 9:00pm for some informal networking and discussions following the event.

Trish Coupal at 10:48 AM
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Contributors

Blog Contributor Portrait
Name: Trish Coupal
Posts: 723
Last Post: November 5, 2024
Blog Contributor Portrait
Name: Keenan O'Donoghue
Posts: 15
Last Post: November 1, 2024
Blog Contributor Portrait
Name: Rachel Cave
Posts: 90
Last Post: May 9, 2024
Blog Contributor Portrait
Name: Leah Bowman
Posts: 400
Last Post: November 8, 2022
Waterloo Region Family Network
Name: Waterloo Region Family Network
Posts: 11
Last Post: November 12, 2019

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