#TogetherWeGrow Archives - GRFS

Snow Sculpture Challenge

Alp Coskun — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:42:12 +0000

We hosted a fun snow sculpture competition for our Grade 8 students. Some of our youth formed teams and worked together, while others chose to create their own designs independently.

The creativity was amazing — one team built a snow mosque, and one student even recreated a Clash Royale game map in the snow!

It was a joyful, laughter-filled winter activity that brought everyone together through teamwork, imagination, and community spirit.

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GRFS x Somali Canadian Association

Alp Coskun — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:48:14 +0000

On Friday night, we were honoured to host the Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region. Their Board Chair, Executive Director, and team joined us, and it was truly a pleasure to welcome them.

We introduced our organization and had the opportunity to learn more about their work as well. The evening was filled with warm conversation, mutual understanding, and a shared hope for future collaboration.

We are grateful for the meaningful time spent together and delighted to have met them. Thank you for visiting us — we look forward to continued partnership and many more opportunities to work together.

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Community Invitation

Alp Coskun — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:34:06 +0000

We are excited to support our friends at the KW Multicultural Centre, Family & Children’s Services, and the Neighbourhood Nursing Team as they host a Child & Youth Wellbeing Fair!

This FREE community event is a great opportunity for children, youth, and families to connect, explore, create, and have fun together.

Date: Monday, November 17, 2025
Time: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: The Family Centre, 65 Hanson Avenue, Kitchener

What’s happening?
Basketball mini session
Face painting & art activities
Storytelling circle
Music & theatre games
Meet local organizations offering free resources
Interpretation available (Arabic, Spanish, Tigrinya & more)
Light refreshments
Prizes for participants!

Bring your family, invite your friends, and enjoy an afternoon of learning, creativity, and community connection. We are proud to support events that uplift and empower our youth!

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Stitching Warmth, Sharing Love

Alp Coskun — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:26:05 +0000

Yesterday, we held the second gathering of our knitting club.
We continued working on the handmade hats, scarves, and gloves we’re preparing as Christmas gifts for our local homeless community — and we’re so happy to see some of these beautiful pieces starting to come together.

Our participants shared their excitement as their knitting projects take shape, and the warmth in the room was truly inspiring.
We’re also sharing some photos from the session in this post.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined and contributed their time, creativity, and kindness. Together, we’re stitching warmth and hope into every piece.

This is as part of the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP)-supported Project CARES (Community Activities for Resilient, Engaged Seniors), aiming to encourage older adults to actively engage in social issues.

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The Art of Sewing

Alp Coskun — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 01:13:15 +0000

Our sewing workshop brings friends together to build skills, boost confidence, and create with purpose—proof that creativity can also be community care.

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Saturday Goals at Rim Park

Alp Coskun — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 21:04:36 +0000

Grades 10–12 met on the pitch, played hard, and lifted each other up. Soccer brings our youth together—building confidence, teamwork, and belonging. Fresh air, fair play, and friendship are exactly what our community is about.

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Sunrise Sips & Autumn Hues

Alp Coskun — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 04:27:05 +0000

Starting the day together at 7:00 AM set a warm tone for connection, gratitude, and friendship. Sharing breakfast and nature helps us slow down, check in on one another, and build community — one simple moment at a time.

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Indigenous & Newcomers Gathering

Alp Coskun — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:05:35 +0000

On October 24th, our youth had a wonderful opportunity to join the Indigenous and Newcomers Gathering organized by Hope Engel.

It was an inspiring evening filled with connection, learning, and shared experiences. Hope’s perspective, her life stories, and her vision for the future opened new horizons for us. We truly enjoyed spending time together and learning from her.

Thank you, Hope, for creating such a meaningful space for Indigenous and newcomer communities to come together. We look forward to joining your future programs with excitement!

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Sunshine, Smiles & One Big Annual Picnic!

Alp Coskun — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:17:20 +0000

What a day! Thank you to everyone who filled our backyard with laughter, games, music, and friendship. We were honoured to welcome community leaders who joined the celebration: Aislinn Clancy (MPP, Kitchener Centre; Deputy Leader, Ontario Greens), Berry Vrbanovic (Mayor of Kitchener), Joe Gowing (Kitchener–Conestoga Provincial Liberal Candidate), Tim Louis (MP, Kitchener–Conestoga), Bardish Chagger (MP, Waterloo), Noura Saad (Family Court Support Program Coordinator, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region), and Faduma Musse (Executive Director, Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region). Your presence meant a lot—thank you for showing up for community. ?

Days like this remind us that love isn’t just something we feel—it’s something we do: sharing a meal, cheering a neighbour, helping a child tie a race ribbon, welcoming new faces, and thanking those who serve our region. Together, we turned a picnic into belonging. Love is a verb!

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ACAWRA × GRFS: Cooking Class

Alp Coskun — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:29:50 +0000

ACAWRA and GRFS held a cooking class that brought two communities together—learning by doing, building confidence and friendship.

Children from both summer schools teamed up to mix, scoop, and bake cookies. There were smiles, shared tips, and warm cookies enjoyed together—sweet memories made in a welcoming space.

Moments like this show how love looks in action: learning together, sharing what we make, and lifting each other up. At GRFS, Love is a Verb. ?

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