Region announces investments in Upstream Initiatives, shares personal stories of impact

Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo announced another $2.89 million in upstream initiatives as dozens gathered at the yearly launch event to hear firsthand how the Upstream funding model has changed lives.

“The Rohingya Centre helped me stand on my feet,” said Omar, a newcomer who left Bangladesh nearly a year ago to build a life here with his wife. The centre, a 2022 recipient, supported Omar in finding housing, learning English, and finding work in his field.

“They were the light in my life,” said Omar in a video shared at the launch event. “I have freedom. I found family here. I’m earning my money. I can now feel that I am alive.”

“To improve safety and wellbeing for all, we need to focus on the factors that impact it: income, education, employment, cultural needs, a sense of belonging,” says Regional Chair Karen Redman. “Despite their resilience, many people continue to face barriers in these areas, especially within racialized and other historically marginalized communities. This funding and the work of these organizations helps to remove those barriers and provide opportunities.”

Since 2021, nearly $12 million in Regional funding has supported 116 initiatives focused on Reconciliation, land-based teaching, culturally safe programs and services, building skills for employment, youth leadership, and more. The funding builds on the priorities the community identified in the Community Safety and Wellbeing plan.

The reach of the fund continues to grow, with a record number of applications (160) received in 2024, indicative of ongoing and changing community needs. The Community Change Committee uses a vigorous community-led process to make decisions that align with the priorities in the Community Safety and Wellbeing plan. Priority goes to grassroots groups that traditionally face barriers to accessing funding.

A recent evaluation by Wilfrid Laurier University researchers found that the funding model meaningfully supports equity deserving groups towards sustainability and growth. The report stated that a “strength of the upstream model is its ability to challenge the status quo… it’s about empowering communities to become architects of their own future.”

View the list of 2024 recipients.

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Background

The Upstream Fund is an annual fund first approved in December 2021 by Council as part of the 2022 Plan and Budget.

With nearly one million people expected to call Waterloo Region home by 2051, making the region safe and well for all takes a whole community approach. The Upstream Funding model recognizes the value community-led organizations and groups have in achieving this goal.

Investing in community-led change was a key call to action from community as part of the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan process.

See the 2022 Upstream Fund yearbook to learn more about the stories of recipients’ work and achievements. See the 2022 Upstream Fund yearbook Follow along with the process at www.engagewr.ca/communitysafetywellbeing.