Infoaction Networking Groups
Before the Community Forum begins on Saturday, various local groups will be available to discuss their community initiatives and concerns related to the social assistance review and reform in Ontario. Here is some background information on the groups that will be there, as well as how to contact them once the Forum is over to get involved!
Disability and Human Rights Group
The Disabilities and Human Rights Group consists of individuals with direct lived experience with disabilities, community groups with a mandate, interest and/or role related to disabilities and/or human rights and interested individuals from the community.
The Purpose of the group is:
1. A forum for educating, raising awareness and discussing issues related to human rights and disabilities.
2. A starting place for ideas related to advocacy, system change, and pilot projects.
3. An advocate for inclusion and equality for persons with disabilities.
4. A training ground for self and community advocacy.
5. A space to build relationships
Website:
Phone / TTY: 519-579-3800
Email:
Alliance Against Poverty (AAP)
We are an anti-poverty alliance in the Kitchener-Waterloo area of southern Ontario, Canada.
Half of our group lives from day to day, struggling for survival and dignity in the face of poverty, in a society which blames the victims of this curse.Half of us live from month to month, receiving our pay or pension cheques with gratitude, but recognizing how close to marginalization we all are. We come together, bringing our gifts and experiences, our hurt and our anger, and stand side by side to fight this scourge of civilized society.
Mission: To eliminate the scourge of poverty through public education, mobilization and direct pressure on all levels of government.
Facebook:
Homelessness and Housing Umbrella Group) (HHUG)
The Waterloo Region HHUG is a non-partisan group consisting of concerned individuals, including individuals with lived experience, agencies and groups committed to preventing and reducing homelessness in Waterloo Region. Our vision is that Waterloo Region will be a community where everyone will have access to appropriate housing and support.
Goals:
1. Serve as Waterloo Region’s primary homelessness and housing group functioning as an umbrella and coordinating group for all other community groups working on issues of homelessness and housing in Waterloo Region.
2. Support our members to undertake education, advocacy and action.
Website:
Poverty Makes Us Sick (PMUS)
Poverty Makes Us Sick (PMUS)is a grassroots anti-poverty campaign in Kitchener-Waterloo organizing around issues of economic justice since 2010, particularly for those living on social assistance – Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
The group was launched in response to the Ontario government’s proposed cuts to the Special Diet Allowance and the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty’s Raise the Rates campaign. We engage in public education, community mobilization, resource redistribution and other forms of direct action.
Website:
Twitter:
Facebook Group:
Email:
Waterloo Regional Labour Council
The Waterloo Regional Labour Council coordinates committees based around political action, education, women’s issues, human rights issues, social services policy and health and safety issues in the Kitchener-Waterloo Community. The Labour Council also puts on yearly community events such as the Day of Mourning and the Labour Day Picnic.
Website:
Awareness of Low Income Voices (ALIV(e))
Awareness of Low Income Voices – ALIV(e) was co-founded by Opportunities Waterloo Region, along with four other individuals in 2007, as a way to gain knowledge of issues related to those with lived low-income experiences. Opportunities continues to provide us with financial, administrative, and facilitation support until we are sustainable. ALIV(e) will continue to educate its members and the wider community about poverty related concerns and initiatives aimed at and reducing poverty. ALIV(e)’s goal is to educate the public about the impact of poverty on peoples’ lives, to inform the public about changes in policy as it applies to those who live at poverty level, and to share information on available resources that may not be well known to the general public.
Website:
Blog:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Phone: 519-883-2353 ext 6172
E-mail: