As we look back on Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for our community—neighbors, families, seniors, and newcomers—who make the Grand River Friendship Society feel like home. May this season bring peace, warmth, and abundance to everyone. Gratitude is more than a feeling—it moves us to act. When we call a neighbor, share a meal, or show up...
We were delighted to join the Diwali Celebration – Festival of Lights organized by Tejal Upadhyay and Tushar Upadhyay at the Southwest Library in Kitchener. As the Grand River Friendship Society, we truly enjoyed being part of this vibrant and heartwarming event — filled with light, color, music, and community connection. It was a pleasure...
On the 3rd of October, Friday, we were honoured to host Senator Diane Kilby and Jaclyn Austin, Coordinator of the Métis Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program. We extend our sincere gratitude for their visit and for the knowledge and insights they provided. It was a privilege for our organization to learn from them. Learning is...
Nurture language, values, and confidence in a joyful, community-first setting. Our Weekend + Winter School helps children grow their Turkish, deepen Islamic awareness, and build friendships that last—right here at Grand River Friendship Society. What kids experience: Language & Culture: Practical Turkish learning through stories, songs, and play. Values & Faith: Qur’an recitation and Islamic...
We were honoured to visit the Pregnancy Center, where we delivered children’s clothing, winter jackets, hats, and gloves. We are grateful for the opportunity to support the Pregnancy Center and take pride in contributing to the well-being of families in need. It is a joy to give back and to be part of the vibrant...
In honor of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, our seniors from the Grand River Friendship Society visited the Métis Nation of Ontario in Kitchener. Together with Jaclyn Austin, Coordinator of the Métis Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program, we prepared and delivered special gift bags for Indigenous Métis babies—carrying the message that Every Child...
Today we honour the children who never returned home, the survivors of residential schools, and the intergenerational impacts still felt today. But remembrance alone is not enough. Reconciliation means action, courage, and genuine relationships — ensuring Indigenous voices are heard, respected, and valued in our communities, classrooms, and workplaces. At GRFS, we commit to walking...
Our Food Fair turned the flavours of Anatolia into a day of friendship. Our community members cooked with care, families met new neighbours, and every plate served helped strengthen our centre and the programs we run together. Yesterday showed what love looks like in action—rolling dough together, seasoning the grill, washing trays, welcoming guests, and...
On Sunday, September 14, our GRFS volunteers joined thousands across Canada at Victoria Park, Kitchener to honour Terry Fox’s legacy. We met at 11:00 AM, pinned on numbers, stretched together, and shared smiles before the noon start—cheering walkers, runners, strollers, and first-timers alike. We also hosted a stand—representing who we are, sharing our programs, and...
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special gathering with author and communications specialist Gulshen Abdukadir, co-hosted with the Uyghur Community in Canada. The night was filled with learning, connection, and hope. Moments like this uplift Uyghur voices, deepen understanding across cultures, and strengthen the bonds that make our region welcoming and inclusive....
