Blog: Three Years In: Feeling at Home in Waterloo Region

The first photo I took in my new role at WRCF, my first stop of many across the region.

Three years ago, my wife and I moved to Waterloo Region, unsure of what to expect. What we’ve found is a community that has embraced us, from neighbours including us in annual neighbourhood traditions to the generosity of colleagues sharing their stories and passions. That sense of welcome has made this place quickly feel like home.

As President & CEO of Waterloo Region Community Foundation, I’ve seen how the feelings of welcome and belonging are built not just through organized programs and activities, but through everyday moments of connection. Our hot-off-the-presses Waterloo Region's 2025 Vital Signs® Report reminds us that not everyone feels that same sense of welcome. Only 45% of our residents feel a high sense of belonging in their communities, below the national average of 47%. This gap tells me that while many feel at home here, too many still feel on the outside looking in. This is a call to action. We must build not just housing, but spaces for joy, connection, and community.

This September there’s lots on the go across the region. Here are two opportunities to strengthen our social fabric and help others feel more welcome: Immigration Waterloo Region’s Welcoming Week (September 12 to 21) encourages us to recognize and celebrate the people, places, and values that help everyone feel welcome in the community, no matter where they come from.  And then our September 18th  Do More Good Dialogue event will kick off the nationwide GenWell Weekend (September 19-21), providing a perfect excuse to connect face-to-face with others.

As I reflect on these past three years, the feeling of being welcomed, included, and supported continues to shape how I think about community. It’s a reminder of how powerful a simple act of kindness or connection can be. Whether it’s a coffee with a neighbour, a walk with a friend, or a gathering with coworkers, we sometimes need a nudge to prioritize connection and extend kindness to those who may feel isolated. That’s the kind of community I want to live in and to keep building, a community known for our generosity in creating moments for others to feel invited and valued. And at home.

Eric Avner
WRCF President & CEO
eric@wrcf.ca