A shared meal provided an opportunity for guests to meet and exchange stories. Guided table conversations invited participants to reflect on the people who have shaped their lives, moments of kindness that have stayed with them, and the ways gratitude is expressed in their families, cultures, and faith traditions.

Guests included Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, Member of Provincial Parliament Aislinn Clancy, and Regional Councillors Matt Rodrigues and Colleen James. Organizations represented included the Research Institute for Aging (RIA), Region of Waterloo Community Engagement Department, Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership, Peace for All Canada, the Centre for Mutual Wellbeing, and Reception House Waterloo Region.

The “Voices of Gratitude” reflections brought together perspectives from different cultures, faiths, and age groups. These contributions encouraged guests to consider both the experiences they share and what they can learn from one another. The evening also recognized volunteers, community partners, and those whose quiet, everyday contributions help make our community more caring and connected.

Giving back was an important part of the gathering. Proceeds from the event will be donated to a food assistance program in Waterloo Region, extending the spirit of gratitude beyond the evening and supporting those in need within our community.

The Gratitude Table offered an opportunity to pause, listen, and appreciate the relationships that sustain us. GRFS extends its thanks to all guests, speakers, volunteers, and participating organizations for contributing to an evening of connection and shared purpose.

The post The Gratitude Table Brings Waterloo Region Together Through Food and Conversation appeared first on GRFS.

The program remembered Fethullah Gülen, a thinker and intellectual known internationally for his contributions to education and humanitarian service, while creating space for participants to reflect on themes including education, service, dialogue, compassion and social responsibility.

Youth Leadership at the Heart of the Program

The evening was led and shaped by young people.

GRFS Youth members organized the gathering and contributed through speeches, personal reflections and letters, as well as readings from Fethullah Gülen’s poetry.

Through these contributions, youth explored how education, service, responsibility and compassion can translate into meaningful involvement in their communities.

This youth-led approach reflects an important part of GRFS’s broader work: creating opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, express their ideas, volunteer, engage with others and take active roles in community life.

Education, Service and Dialogue

A central theme of the program was the relationship between ideas and action.

Speakers reflected on Gülen’s emphasis on education and service and discussed how values can become meaningful when they encourage people to learn, volunteer, support others and contribute positively to society.

The program also explored the role of dialogue in building stronger and more connected communities, emphasizing listening, mutual respect and constructive relationships among people from different cultural, religious and social backgrounds.

These themes connect closely with GRFS’s ongoing work in education, mentorship, youth development, intercultural dialogue, volunteerism and community engagement.

We were pleased to welcome Ünal Öztürk, Chairman of the Northern Civic Federation, who joined the gathering and shared remarks with participants.

A Special Contribution from Our Youngest Participants

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was a surprise video featuring some of our younger participants.

Children were asked questions about Fethullah Gülen, and their sincere and spontaneous responses brought both smiles and thoughtful moments to the gathering.

Their answers created a meaningful intergenerational moment and demonstrated how children and youth can bring their own perspectives to conversations about education, kindness, service and responsibility.

Creating Space for Youth to Lead

For GRFS, community programs are also opportunities to help young people develop confidence, communication skills, leadership and a sense of social responsibility.

This gathering provided young people with the opportunity not simply to attend an event, but to plan, organize, speak, write, reflect and bring members of their community together.

We thank GRFS Youth for their leadership, Ünal Öztürk for joining the program, and all of the volunteers, families, youth and community members who contributed to the evening.

Through education, mentorship, dialogue, volunteerism and youth leadership, Grand River Friendship Society continues to create opportunities for people of different generations and backgrounds to learn from one another and contribute to stronger, more connected communities.

Together, we learn. Together, we serve. Together, we build stronger communities.

The post GRFS Youth Hosts Commemoration of Fethullah Gülen appeared first on GRFS.

Led by Grand River Friendship Society (GRFS), the 12-week Fall program has received approximately 385 registrations, bringing children and youth together through accessible sport, skill development, teamwork and community connection.

Our first indoor football sessions took place on October 2 and 3, marking an exciting start to the new season.

A Strong Start to the Fall Season

This Fall, football sessions are being delivered across several indoor locations to provide age-appropriate programming for participating children and youth.

Grade 2 and older groups began their Friday evening sessions at RIM Park, while our youngest participants — JK/SK and Grade 1 — started their Saturday program at Westheights Public School.

Later in the Fall, Friday programming is planned to continue at Cowan Recreation Centre as part of the 12-week schedule.

From the first weekend, the energy on the field reflected what Football for Learning is designed to create: a welcoming environment where young people can be active, develop new skills, make friends and feel part of a team.

Learning the Game, Building Life Skills

Our sessions are designed to go beyond simply playing matches.

Participants take part in age-appropriate activities that may include:

– warm-up and movement exercises;
– ball control and dribbling;
– passing and receiving;
– coordination and agility activities;
– skill-development stations;
– small-sided games; and
– teamwork and sportsmanship activities.

For younger participants, the emphasis is on movement, enjoyment, confidence and fundamental skills.

As students progress through the age groups, sessions provide additional opportunities to strengthen football technique, communication, decision-making and teamwork.

Most importantly, we want every participant to have the opportunity to learn and develop in a safe, respectful and encouraging environment.

More Than Football

Football for Learning is built around the idea that sport can contribute to the broader development of children and youth.

On the field, participants practise skills such as teamwork, communication, discipline, perseverance, responsibility and respect.

These qualities extend far beyond sport.

Learning to listen, work with others, respond positively to challenges and continue trying after making a mistake can contribute to confidence both on and off the field.

Our goal is therefore not only to help participants become better football players, but also to create opportunities for them to build friendships, confidence and a stronger sense of belonging.

Coaches and Volunteers Making a Difference

Our coaches, assistant coaches and volunteers are an important part of the Football for Learning experience.

Before the Fall season began, the team came together to review the program structure, age groups, coaching responsibilities, safety procedures and expectations for creating a positive environment for participants.

During each session, they support skill development, encourage participation and help ensure that every group has a structured and welcoming experience.

We are grateful for the commitment of everyone helping make the Fall program possible.

Sport and Education Working Together

Football is one part of the broader Football for Learning experience.

Alongside our sport activities, the Fall 2026 education program is also underway through a combination of in-person and online academic support.

Students are receiving support in areas including Math, English and Literacy, Science and homework, while digital learning tools are helping participants continue practising outside scheduled classes.

In just the first two weeks, students using IXL answered 12,906 questions across 525 skills.

Together, the sport and education components reflect our broader goal: supporting children and youth academically, physically and socially.

Read our Football for Learning Fall 2026 Education Program Update →

Together, We Play, Learn and Grow

The first weekend of Fall football was an encouraging beginning to the season.

Seeing children and youth step onto the field, meet their coaches, connect with teammates and begin developing their skills reminds us of the important role accessible community sport can play in young people’s lives.

We extend our sincere thanks to our students, families, coaches, assistant coaches, volunteers and program team for helping make the opening weekend a success.

Over the coming weeks, we look forward to seeing our participants continue to play, learn, build confidence and grow together.

Together, we play. Together, we learn. Together, we build stronger communities.

The post Football for Learning Fall 2026: Football Program Gets Underway appeared first on GRFS.

As part of the community engagement activities connected to United in Voices: Intercultural Dialogue Festival, youth participants came together for another meaningful workshop focused on reflection, creativity, and positive change.

The workshop began with a simple but powerful question:

“What is one thing you would change about the world?”

Working in small groups, participants shared their thoughts and explored important issues affecting communities locally and globally. Their conversations touched on themes such as:

• Environment
• Poverty
• Education
• Bullying
• Health

Through sticky notes, group discussions, collaborative thinking, and creative expression, youth reflected on real challenges facing our world and imagined ways to build a more compassionate, inclusive, and connected future.

The workshop provided a space for young people to express their voices, listen to one another, work as a team, and transform their ideas into meaningful artistic expression.

We concluded the day by celebrating everyone’s contributions, sharing information about upcoming community events, and capturing memories together.

A sincere thank you to all the youth participants, volunteers, and community partners who helped make this workshop a success.

Every idea shared and every brushstroke painted reminded us that change begins with reflection, creativity, and the courage to imagine a better world together.

For more information : United in Voices

The post Youth Workshop Encourages Creativity, Reflection and Positive Change | United in Voices appeared first on GRFS.

As part of the preparations for United in Voices: Intercultural Dialogue Festival, a group of youth, community members, and partner organizations came together on June 13 at Kitchener Public Library (KPL) for a meaningful workshop focused on creativity, connection, and community dialogue.

Through a hands-on punch knitting workshop, participants designed and created individual squares inspired by themes of peace, hope, growth, compassion, and global community. Each piece reflected a unique voice and perspective, while also contributing to a larger collective vision of belonging, unity, and shared understanding.

This workshop offered participants an opportunity to:

• Build community through art
• Encourage dialogue and collaboration
• Learn a new creative skill
• Share ideas for a more peaceful and connected world

The activity beautifully reflected the spirit of United in Voices, where art, culture, dialogue, and community come together to strengthen inclusion and mutual understanding.

A special thank you to our partners, youth participants, volunteers, and community members from GRFS and the wider local community for making this workshop such a memorable and inspiring experience.

Together, we were reminded that even small threads can come together to create something beautiful, meaningful, and lasting.

For more information : United in Voices 

The post Threads of Peace Workshop | United in Voices appeared first on GRFS.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to introduce our community, share the work we are doing at GRFS, and connect with diverse organizations across the region. Throughout the evening, we exchanged ideas, explored future collaborations, and built meaningful relationships that we hope will grow into long-term partnerships supporting our community.

We are grateful to everyone who visited our table and contributed to such a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere. Events like these remind us of the importance of belonging, connection, and celebrating the diversity that makes Waterloo Region feel like home

The post Multicultural Connections 2026 appeared first on GRFS.

During the meeting, we had valuable conversations about potential activities, partnerships, and future collaborations between our two organizations in support of the community.

We sincerely thank Kristin Baetz – Community Engagement Coordinator and Kristy Sawatzky – Accompany Team Lead for taking the time to visit us and for the thoughtful and inspiring discussion.

We look forward to future opportunities to work together and strengthen community connections

The post Community Collaboration: Compass Refugee Centre appeared first on GRFS.

It was a pleasure to host them at our centre, give a tour of our building, and share who we are and the work we do as a foundation. We truly appreciated the opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and learn more about each other’s work.

Thank you for taking the time to visit us. We enjoyed our conversation about potential collaborations and look forward to developing meaningful projects together in the near future.

Our doors are always open!

The post Building Bridges! appeared first on GRFS.

Day 1 Seminars:

Rıdvan Kızıltepe | Balanced Living Guide (Practical insights on building a healthy, mindful, and well-balanced life).

Rasım Haner | Valuable Character and Active Citizenship (Reflections on responsibility, integrity, and contributing positively to our communities).

A meaningful start filled with learning, reflection, and connection.

The post Winter Camp | Day 1 appeared first on GRFS.

Thank you to everyone who joined and made the night so meaningful!

The post Mosaic Lamp Workshop at Conrad Grebel appeared first on GRFS.