Independent Living Waterloo Region

10/28/2025

Today, October 28th, 2025, we celebrate the incredible Attendant Services staff who make independent living possible every day. Your compassion, professionalism, and dedication empower adults with physical disabilities to live life their way.

On behalf of the ILWR Board and Administrative Team, thank you for all that you do, today and every day.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/14/2025

October is Community Support Service Month - Community Support Services (CSS) are at the heart of helping Ontarians live and age well at home. From Meals on Wheels and transportation, to adult day programs, assisted living, caregiver respite, and much more, these services keep people connected, independent, and healthier, while easing pressure on hospitals and long-term care.

Although CSS touches the lives of millions of Ontarians, these services remain chronically underfunded and too often overlooked. The passion and commitment of staff and volunteers keep these programs running, but greater awareness and recognition are needed to ensure long-term sustainability.

That’s why this October, the theme of Everyone Needs Community Support Services shines a spotlight on CSS throughout the month of October, reinforcing that these services are not optional, but essential!!

The following are some dates for celebration at ILWR:
October 10 Assisted Living Day
October 13-17 Community Care Worker Week
October 16 Falls Prevention Day
October 28 Attendant Services Day

10/10/2025

Today, October 10th is Assisted Living Day!

Across Ontario, community-based services make it possible for people with disabilities to live independently, safely, and with dignity.

Today, we celebrate the dedicated staff, tenants, and community partners who make assisted living programs thrive — creating spaces where people can live life their way.

October is Community Support Month, an opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness about the value of these services and the service providers who deliver them.

Thank you for everything you do to build more inclusive, supportive communities, you know who you are!

09/24/2025

Independent Living Waterloo Region is excited and proud to release our 2024/2025 Annual Report!

This year we:
✅ Supported 298 Consumers through our Community Resource Program, with 533 participants joining 116 peer and social activities.

✅ Provided nearly $90,000 in Access Fund grants, helping 23 individuals access vital equipment and supports.

✅ Provided Attendant Services to support 157 people with disabilities to live independently within their own homes.

✅ Welcomed 15 new Self-Managers into our Direct Funding program, now serving 239 in total.

✅ Achieved record satisfaction levels - 79% Employee engagement and 78% Consumer satisfaction.

✅ Completed the Accreditation Canada Primer Survey with the highest standing, moving forward to Qmentum.

We are grateful for the continued trust and support of our community and partners. Together, we are building stronger pathways to independence, accessibility, and inclusion.

Read the full report here:https://ilwr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ILWR-2024-2025-Annual-Report_FINAL.pdf

09/17/2025

It was the perfect day for golf and raising funds at the Deer Ridge Golf Club Charity Classic Golf Tournament. The Access Fund continues to receive some of the money raised from this annual tournament.

The Access Fund helps individuals with disabilities in our local community purchase assistive devices, adapted technology, and medical equipment to help them live more independent lives. The Chair of the ILWR Board, Greg Barratt had this to say...

09/16/2025

It’s Coffee Club Day!

The Community Resource Program (CRP) supports people with disabilities in building stronger social connections and living independently. Our programs are open to anyone who self-identifies as having lived experience with a disability.

You’re welcome to join us for this morning’s online hang out! Message us for the link!

09/10/2025

So great to have been part of the Independent Living Canada Annual Conference & AGM! While the conference is happening in Ottawa, I’m grateful for the opportunity to have joined virtually and learn about the amazing work happening at Independent Living Centres across Canada.

I was especially looking forward to hearing from the IL Youth Advisory Council—it was inspiring to see the enthusiasm and energy from Canada’s next wave of accessibility advocates!

— Dan Lajoie, Manager of Independent Living Resources at ILWR

09/09/2025

ILWR’s Executive Director, Janet Redman, attended Independent Living (IL) Canada’s national conference last week in Ottawa. She had an opportunity to connect with IL Centre staff and Board members from across the country, including Pierre (Vie Autonome Montérégie - St.Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC) and Suzanne (Disability Resource Centre for IL – Kapuskasing, ON)

08/14/2025

We sure felt like artists for the afternoon with our workshop facilitator Sonya, from Artshine-Arts4all

Using oil pastels and chalk as our mediums, we drew our own interpretations of Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ and an August summer sunset.

Our Youth Retreat was an amazing success! Thanks to all who participated, contributed and a special shout out to Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp and Retreat Centre for hosting us again this year!

08/10/2025

Saturday's dinner was a success! Everyone is so full and happy that we are waiting a little bit for dessert, which the youth baked today....ice cream sandwiches with their own cookies full of chocolate chips, m & m's and marshmallows!

After a day of playing games, baking, and drawing, we surely had built up an appetite!

07/15/2025

🌞 Despite a bit of rain, our 28th Tournament of Hope was a huge success — and it's all thanks to YOU! ⛳💚

Because of your generosity, the ILWR Access Fund supported 23 individuals in 2025 with nearly $90,000 in funding. It was our biggest year ever! 🎉 That brings our total impact to 340+ people and over $820,000 in assistive devices, adapted tech, and medical equipment funded. 💪♿

We are so grateful for your continued support. You’re opening doors and creating possibilities.

Thank you also to the staff and management at Beaverdale Golf Club for all that you did to make our tournament the success that it was!

Here’s to next year’s tournament, we are already excited for it!