Annual General Meeting
Events
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
- 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. - 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!
Open House Event
Reception House Waterloo Region Hosts Open House Event, Welcomes Community Leaders and Partners
Reception House Waterloo Region was honored to host an Open House at its new space located at 700-101 Frederick Street, welcoming distinguished guests, supporters, and community members. Among those in attendance were MP Bardish Chagger, MP Valerie Bradford, MP Mike Morrice for Kitchener Centre, representatives from Waterloo Regional Police Service, the Fairmount Foundation, Lyle S. Hallman Foundation, United College, PeaceWorks Technology Solutions, Rohingya Centre, Muslim Social Services KW, YMCA of Three Rivers – Waterloo Region, Centre for Community Based Research, Waterloo Suites Hotel, and the Centre for Peace Advancement.
The event highlighted Reception House’s dedication to creating a welcoming environment for newcomers. MPP Aislinn Clancy presented a Grand Opening Certificate, marking the occasion and recognizing Reception House’s commitment to the community.
Reception House extends its heartfelt thanks to all who attended, with special appreciation to the donors and partners whose generosity continues to drive its mission forward.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting our Open House—an important milestone that welcomed our community into a new chapter of service, connection, and possibility at our new home.
