Reception House

Providing a warm welcome to our newest neighbours

Events

Coming Up: Jazz, War and the Road to Peace – June 27th, 2025

Jazz, War and the Road to Peace –

A Charity Concert Celebrating Resilience, Creativity & Community

Thursday, June 27 (6 pm) | Centre in the Square (The Studio Theater) | Kitchener

You can buy tickets to this event here: https://shorturl.at/BlzN5

Step into an unforgettable evening where music tells stories of courage, hope, and belonging. Jazz, War and the Road to Peace brings world-class musicians to the stage in celebration of World Refugee Day—a powerful tribute to those who have been forced to flee their homes and are now rebuilding their lives in our community.

This year’s performance features brilliant Ukrainian musicians—artists who found refuge in the Waterloo Region and transformed their experiences of war and displacement into deeply moving, beautifully uplifting compositions. Alongside their original works, you’ll hear iconic classical pieces centered around themes of war and peace—performed at an extraordinary level of artistry.

But this concert is more than a performance.

  • It’s a celebration.
  • A celebration of the journeys that bring people here.
  • A celebration of the strength and talent of newcomers.
  • A celebration of how—together—we create a more compassionate and connected community.

All proceeds from this event will directly support Reception House Waterloo Region as we welcome and walk alongside refugees and vulnerable newcomers. From housing and healthcare to employment and emotional healing, your support helps families begin again—safely, and with dignity.

Join us for an evening of music and meaning. Help us build a brighter future—one note, one family, one welcome at a time.

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!

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.

NOT ANOTHER GALA 2024

Reception House Waterloo Region is thrilled to announce that our annual fundraising event, Not Another Gala 2024, was a resounding success! The event saw an incredible turnout of 150 attendees who gathered to celebrate a night filled with joy, inspiration, and a shared commitment to our mission of welcoming and supporting refugees in our community.

The evening was highlighted by heartfelt speeches, where we proudly shared our achievements, goals, and the impact of our work over the past year. We were deeply honored to have Heather Beamish as our special guest speaker, whose words touched and inspired everyone present. A huge thank you as well to our amazing MCs, Jen Vasic and Colleen James, for guiding the evening with energy and grace.

We extend our sincerest gratitude to everyone who attended and supported Not Another Gala 2024.

With heartfelt gratitude, we thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting our Not Another Gala, a celebration that brought together our community of donors and partners to reimagine generosity and belonging.

A special shoutout goes to our incredible sponsors, whose support made the night possible:

  • Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc.
  • Centre for Community Based Research
  • United Taxi Kitchener-Waterloo
  • W.A. Ventures & Enterprise
  • Waterloo Suites Hotel
  • HIP Developments
  • PeaceWorks Technology Solutions
  • City of Waterloo

We are also immensely thankful to the many businesses and individuals who contributed to our silent auction, making it a truly memorable part of the evening. Your generosity continues to inspire us.

“Together, we are building a welcoming community for all”

Reception House Celebrates ” Black History Day”

Reception House celebration of Black History Day, Feb 2024. Our dedicated staff came together to commemorate this significant event in a truly special way.

We embarked on a journey to explore the fascinating history of coffee, a beverage deeply intertwined with the stories and experiences of Black individuals around the world. From its origins in Africa to its global impact today, we delved into the rich and complex narratives that shape our understanding of coffee and its cultural significance.

Our event was met with overwhelming enthusiasm as attendees engaged with the shared history and narratives. It was truly inspiring to witness the conversations and connections that blossomed as we reflected on the contributions of Black individuals to Canadian society.

To conclude our celebration on a delightful note, we treated our guests to a variety of coffee blends and samosas, each carefully selected to reflect the essence of Black History. From bold and aromatic roasts to savory and flavorful snacks, every sip and bite was a celebration of diversity and heritage.