Free Event at Kitchener Public Library – Central Library 85 Queen Street North, Kitchener
Join the Rainbow Coalition of Waterloo Region (RCWR) for the official launch of our community-informed strategic plan—and see us start to put it into action by participating in a workshop focused on equipping you with actionable strategies to advance equity and inclusion across organizational practices and programs. This event marks a pivotal moment in our journey, moving from vision to actions informed by community leadership and insight.
Over the past year, RCWR has engaged 2SLGBTQIA+ community members in deep consultation to shape a strategic plan rooted in our shared values and priorities. Now, we’re excited to unveil the final version of that plan and invite you to help bring it to life.
As part of our commitment to equity and community empowerment, the evening will also feature a workshop led by educator and organizer Dr. Karim Wissa, designed to equip attendees with practical tools to advance anti-racism and inclusion in their communities and organizations.
We’ll also be presenting opportunities for community members to:
Join focus groups that will help move our strategy into action. These groups will play a vital role in shaping RCWR’s next steps (stipends will be available for participants).
Lend their skills and experiences as volunteers with the Rainbow Coalition of Waterloo Region.
Why This Event Matters:
Strategic Vision in Action – Be the first to see RCWR’s finalized strategic plan and learn how it reflects community input.
Equity in Practice – Participate in a workshop that bridges anti-racism principles with real-world application
From Strategy to Action – Explore how you can join focus groups and help implement RCWR’s plan
Collective Momentum – Network with RCWR Board Members, community members, and allies committed to building a more just and inclusive Waterloo Region
Who Should Attend?
Community members, advocates, allies, and anyone passionate about:
Strengthening the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Waterloo Region
Building community and fostering grassroots leadership
Advancing equity and anti-racism
Moving from strategy to action
Refreshments
Light Refreshments will be provided.
To help us plan our refreshment order (and reduce food waste), please select the Refreshment Option (a separate add-on to your order) when you Reserve Your Spot. If you’re unsure if you can attend or don’t want to be included in the food order, you can still reserve a spot—we just won’t include you in the refreshment count without the add-on.
Workshop Details
This interactive 90 minutes session will introduce key concepts in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), to establish a shared understanding and then build on anti-racism and anti-oppression principles to explore:
Practical strategies for community engagement
Real-world dilemmas and collaborative problem-solving
Actionable tools to advance equity and inclusion in organizational practices
About the Workshop Facilitator
Karim Wissa is an educator, writer, and organizer who has spent over 15 years creating spaces for critical learning and collective action across universities, high schools, and prisons in Canada and the United States. His work focuses on how racism and colonialism shape everyday life and how communities can organize to challenge systemic oppression. Currently, he serves as Director of Institutional Programs, Education and Outreach in the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Office and is a Professor in the Faculty of Health at the University of Waterloo.