"It is easy to love those who are far, but it’s not easy to love our neighbour" -Gandhi
Our Story
The change we seek will come about as a result of the action we take
Yesterday
Our story started off with a commitment to engage with and make a difference in our local neighbourhood. Many have encountered incredible life challenges and consequently deal with a variety of social, education, employment and mental health issues.
- Refugee families encounter trauma and displacement and in some cases, witnessed unimaginable horrors.
- Issues stemming from intergenerational poverty.
- Unemployment and under-employment.
- Discouragement and a lack of confidence in future.
We began by engaging with the needs that people identified. We stubbornly stuck with the script. We spent time listening. We mourned and we celebrated together. In time others joined us; students from the Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo, along with friends from the surrounding communities. Service clubs and churches became involved. Many from our neighbourhoods found a role and contributed. We found that by starting with the children and youth we could earn the trust of parents, and in time our engagement spread across entire community.
What We Do
The Adventure4Change works alongside children, youth, their families, and the community where they live.
In Waterloo, we serve marginalized children and youth by providing access to education, resources and services that may otherwise not have been available.
We support our community leaders, partners, and professionals to ensure our community is safe and secure
We provide leadership opportunities for parents, caregivers, youth and those who join our community as students, leaders and volunteers to enable each person to make their best and unique contribution to the process of change.
Beyond Waterloo, we coach, instruct and mentor those who work for change in whatever context they may find themselves in leadership roles.