About the project:

Imagine you are walking out of the pediatrician’s office and have just been told your child has a diagnosis, a severe disability that cannot be cured. You’re filled with shock, confusion, grief… you need time to process. Where do you turn? What steps can you take right now? Are there funding sources for programming, resources? You discover that you can apply but the wait can take up to five years! You have now joined the 365 families who are waiting for funding, yet you still feel alone.

Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region has designed a program to help families during the 'in-between'. Our Caregiver Connection Groups connect families who are facing similar challenges. The success of our first two years has been amazing! Parents, siblings, and children have made new friendships, parents feel less isolated and lonely and have an increased sense of belonging. Now step back into your shoes, the shoes of a hero.

With a small donation you can help this program to keep growing; to have more groups and increase support to age 8. $5 = a fidget toy so a child can handle anxious wiggles. $10 = developmentally appropriate children's toys, playmats, and craft supplies for the playroom. $25 = a specially trained Children’s Support Staff for 1 hour. $50 = ½ the cost of a guest speaker that will speak on topics parents have requested information about. $80 = weekly snacks for children and parents. $100 = cost of 1 hour of rental space with a play area and parent area.

Your support will ensure families of children living with a new diagnosis will have a network of connections to help them navigate this new journey together.

Where will the project take place:

Caregiver Connection Groups take place across Waterloo Region with the programs being held in Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge. We strive to host the Caregiver Connection Groups on transportation routes in neighbourhoods and community centres close to where families live. Follow-up Caregiver Connection Groups take place at play centres and indoor playgrounds across our region. Families from Woolwich, Wellesley, North Dumfries and Wilmot Township have attended within the bigger cities. Expanding the program locations to the townships is a future goal of the program.