The Waterloo Region Community Foundation released the third episode of its podcast series on April 8, 2026, highlighting how local schools act as essential hubs for community connection and support. Titled “I Can Tell That We Are Going to Be Friends: Schools as Havens,” the program examines the role schools play as social infrastructure beyond their traditional academic functions.
The episode, hosted by Jay Harrison in partnership with Midtown Radio, showcases two grassroots initiatives within the region’s education system, which serves nearly 100,000 students. At Waterloo Collegiate Institute, a student-led Gender Sexuality Alliance provides a safe space for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and their allies. Quinn Palmer, a student leader of the group, described the alliance as a vital space for mutual support and connection.
In Kitchener, parents at King Edward Public School launched a program to assist newcomer families after discovering that 22 different languages were spoken within their school community. Parent organizer Taarini Chopra noted that the initiative was created to celebrate the school’s diversity while helping families who are new to Canada navigate the education system.
These efforts are part of a broader push by the community foundation to address challenges regarding social belonging in the region. According to the foundation’s 2025 Vital Signs report, only 36% of residents under the age of 30 report a strong sense of belonging, a figure that contrasts with 74% of seniors. With the local population projected to reach one million residents by 2050, the foundation is focusing on developing shared spaces that foster trust and wellbeing.
Dr. Laura Mae Lindo, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Director of Programs in Black Studies at the University of Waterloo, also featured on the episode. She emphasized that having community members actively involved in schools is a formative experience that teaches students about the importance of building community together.
