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

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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 

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These special gatherings gave students the opportunity to explore new places, express their creativity, build friendships, spend quality time with mentors, and create lasting memories together.

Grade 9 students enjoyed a fun pottery painting experience, where they explored their creativity, designed unique pieces, and shared meaningful time with friends and mentors.

Grade 10 students visited the beautiful village of Elora, exploring local boutiques, cafés, bookstores, artisan shops, scenic attractions, and the charming surroundings of Elora Mill and Victoria Park. The day was filled with discovery, laughter, friendship, and memorable moments.

Grade 11 students spent the day in Toronto, where they explored the city and enjoyed a bike ride around Toronto Islands. With beautiful waterfront views, great food, and plenty of fun, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect, strengthen friendships, and enjoy the city together.

These monthly outings are an important part of our mentorship program. They provide students with opportunities for personal growth, meaningful conversations, community building, leadership development, and unforgettable shared experiences.

We sincerely thank all of our mentors, students, and families for making these moments so special.

At GRFS, we are proud to support youth through mentorship, friendship, guidance, and opportunities that help them grow with confidence, connection, and a strong sense of belonging.

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This initiative will provide free artificial intelligence and data science learning opportunities to more than 1,200 youth across the Region of Waterloo, helping young people develop digital skills, critical thinking abilities, and confidence to explore future STEM pathways.

Through hands-on workshops, mentorship, AI demonstrations, and career exploration activities, we will work to make emerging technologies more accessible and inclusive for youth from all backgrounds.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Scale AI for investing in the next generation of innovators and helping create greater access to STEM education for young people in our communities.

Together, we are building a future where every young person has the opportunity to explore, learn, and thrive in the digital age.

www.scaleai.ca 

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We are deeply grateful to Gloria Baylis Foundation for supporting our Youth Community Health Leadership Program.

This initiative will empower newcomer and racialized youth ages 14 to 25 through culturally responsive workshops, mentorship, and leadership activities focused on:

• Mental health literacy and wellbeing
• Nutrition and healthy lifestyles
• Physical wellbeing
• Healthcare and nursing career pathways
• Youth leadership development

Through this program, young people in the Waterloo Region will gain practical health knowledge, strengthen their confidence, and explore future careers in healthcare while becoming leaders and advocates in their communities.

Thank you to the Gloria Baylis Foundation for believing in our youth and investing in healthier, stronger, and more inclusive communities.

Learn more about Gloria Baylis Foundation: www.gloriabaylisfoundation.ca

Together, we are building brighter futures.

#GrandRiverFriendshipSociety #GloriaBaylisFoundation #YouthLeadership #MentalHealth #HealthEquity #HealthcareCareers #CommunityHealth #NewcomerYouth #RacializedYouth #WaterlooRegion #Mentorship #HealthyCommunities

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Grand River Friendship Society (GRFS) is proud to announce that we have received funding from the Government of Canada’s Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP) – Events Component to present the United in Voices: Intercultural Dialogue Festival.

This exciting community event will take place on:

Saturday, July 11, 2026
Victoria Park Pavilion, Kitchener, Ontario
Free and Open to the Public

About the Festival

United in Voices is a one-day intercultural festival designed to bring people together through:

•  Live multicultural music and performances
•  Youth-led dialogue sessions
• Art and storytelling activities
• Community organization booths
• Cultural exchange and celebration

The festival aims to strengthen intercultural understanding, promote inclusion, and create meaningful opportunities for residents of all backgrounds to connect, learn, and celebrate together.

Live Performance by Duende Kings

We are delighted to welcome the internationally acclaimed music group Duende Kings, who will perform a free two-hour live concert as part of the festival.

Known for their vibrant blend of flamenco, Latin, and world music influences, Duende Kings will bring an unforgettable musical experience that reflects the spirit of cultural diversity and unity.

Our Vision

At Grand River Friendship Society, we believe that dialogue, art, and shared experiences have the power to build stronger and more inclusive communities.

United in Voices is more than a festival. It is an opportunity to:

Foster mutual understanding across cultures and faiths
Address racism and discrimination through community dialogue
Empower youth as leaders and bridge-builders
Create a stronger sense of belonging for everyone

We are excited to offer an event that we hope will become a meaningful and lasting tradition in the Waterloo Region.

Funding Acknowledgement

This project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program.

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The program brought together 70 youth participants with 27 professionals from a wide range of sectors. Organized around 16 networking tables, the event created a meaningful space for mentorship, dialogue, career exploration, and community connection.

Throughout the event, participants had the opportunity to meet professionals, ask questions, hear real career stories, and gain practical insights into different education and career pathways. The program helped youth better understand university and program choices, career opportunities in Canada, and the importance of building strong professional networks.

The event featured professionals from several fields, including employment and career development, non-profit and community services, IT and computer science, engineering, legal and compliance, policing, government and public administration, education, healthcare, business and finance, research and academia, journalism, project management, and community leadership.

NextGen Connect: Learn & Lead reflected GRFS’s commitment to supporting youth through holistic development. At GRFS, we believe young people need access not only to academic and social support, but also to mentorship, leadership opportunities, career guidance, and meaningful community connections.

The event also demonstrated the strength of collaboration between professionals, volunteers, and community leaders who are committed to investing in the next generation. By sharing their experiences and guidance, guest professionals helped participants imagine new possibilities for their future and take practical steps toward their goals.

GRFS sincerely thanks all guest speakers, professionals, community representatives, volunteers, and participants who contributed to the success of the program.

A special thank you goes to the Young Professionals Waterloo Region Team for their leadership, vision, and dedication in organizing this impactful event.

Programs like NextGen Connect: Learn & Lead help build confidence, expand opportunities, and empower youth to connect, learn, and lead.

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We were delighted to welcome our valued guests from the Belmont Village Bestival team — one of Waterloo Region’s most vibrant arts and culture events — at Grand River Friendship Society.

During a warm and friendly breakfast, we had the pleasure of connecting with Jo Goossens and Tammy Lawrence. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know one another and have a meaningful conversation about youth volunteer engagement for the upcoming September 2026 festival.

For us, the greatest impact comes from supporting youth to grow as active, responsible individuals who contribute to their communities through arts, culture, and service. This gathering marked a strong and inspiring step toward strengthening youth leadership, belonging, and community involvement.

We truly believe that stronger communities are built by young people who lead with purpose and heart. We are excited to see our youth contribute their energy and passion at Bestival this September.

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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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