Reception House

Providing a warm welcome to our newest neighbours

Events

Open House 2025

We’d love for you to join us for a special Open House on Thursday, November 27, from 12PM to 4PM at our office.

This event is a chance to connect, celebrate our shared impact, and show our appreciation for the incredible support that makes our work possible. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our team, tour our space, and learn more about the programs your generosity helps sustain.

We’re especially excited to share a big announcement about our upcoming housing project, “Home Begins Here.”

Your partnership continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of newcomers, and we can’t wait to celebrate that with you.

📍 101 Frederick St, Suite 700, Kitchener
📅 Thursday, November 27, 12PM–4PM

Please RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/reception-house-open-house-tickets-1923542851449?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join Us for Ride for Refuge 2025!

Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: United College, 190 Westmount Road North, Waterloo

We’re excited to be part of Ride for Refuge, a fun, family-friendly cycling and walking event that supports displaced, vulnerable, and exploited people around the world and right here in our community.

This year, we’re riding and walking to raise funds for critical healthcare services, helping us continue our work in welcoming and supporting refugee newcomers as they begin their new lives in Waterloo Region.

Whether you join us on a bike, on foot, or by supporting from the sidelines, you’ll be helping us make a real impact.

How You Can Get Involved:

  • Be a Team Captain – Rally your friends, family, or coworkers to ride or walk with you.
  • Join a Team – Sign up to ride or walk with others who share your passion.
  • Donate – Can’t join us in person? You can still support the cause with a donation.
  • Become a Sponsor – Partner with us to make this event possible while showcasing your support for newcomers.

👉 Click here to register, donate, or learn more

Together, we can ride, walk, and fundraise for hope and belonging!

Event Cancelled: Jazz, War and the Road to Peace

Jazz, War and the Road to Peace

Event Update: Jazz, War and the Road to Peace Cancelled

We are saddened to share that our upcoming fundraising event in celebration of World Refugee Day has been cancelled due to lower-than-expected turnout. We know many of you were looking forward to an evening of powerful music and community connection – and so were we.  

If you’ve already purchased a ticket, rest assured: a full refund will be issued. 

While this isn’t the outcome we hoped for, we’re taking it as an important learning opportunity. Every experience helps us grow, and we’re committed to doing better – for our clients, our supporters and our community. This moment is not a step back, but a step toward creating events that are more accessible, engaging, and meaningful. 

Thank you for your continued support. We have more events and exciting plans ahead, and we can’t wait to share them with you 💙 

Reception House Waterloo Region’s Donor Appreciation Event

Feb 6th, 2025

Reception House Waterloo Region hosted an unforgettable Donor Appreciation Event to celebrate the incredible support of our donors. Held at the stunning Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, the evening was a perfect blend of art, inspiration, and community.

Guests were treated to a captivating glassmaking workshop, where they explored the artistry behind glass creations, and enjoyed delicious Food by Stone Crock. The ambiance was warm, the conversations meaningful, and the gratitude palpable.

Highlights of the Evening

  1. Insights from Andrew Thompson
    Our keynote speaker, Andrew Thompson from the Balsillie School of International Affairs, shared powerful insights into the global aspects of refugee resettlement and its impact on our region. His words reminded us of the importance of our work and the broader context in which we operate.
  2. Trami Szarabura’s Inspiring Journey
    The evening’s most moving moment came from Trami Szarabura, a former client of Reception House Waterloo Region. Trami shared her journey from being a newcomer to becoming an educator, a community leader, and an advocate. Her story is a testament to the resilience of refugees and the transformative power of support and opportunity.

Why We Do This Work

Events like these remind us why we are so passionate about what we do. Every donation, every act of support, helps refugees build new lives in Waterloo Region. It’s about more than just providing resources—it’s about fostering hope, dignity, and belonging.

A Heartfelt Thank You

A huge shoutout to all our donors who joined us and to those who continue to support us from afar. Your generosity fuels real change, and we couldn’t do this without you.

Stay tuned for more updates on our work and how you can continue to be part of this journey. Thank you for being the heart of Reception House Waterloo Region!