Strong Start Charitable Organization is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to helping children learn to read. They provide direct programs for children and resources for families to support literacy development. Through partnerships with schools, community centres, educators, and volunteers, they aim to create lifelong readers, help children reach their potential, and strengthen communities.
SVP’s Major Projects
Woolwich Counselling Centre is a community-built, nonprofit organization focused on mental wellness. Established in 1977, it is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Originally offering evening lectures on mental health, it now serves over 1,000 individuals annually. The Centre believes that strong mental wellness is essential for a healthy and resilient community.
SVP’s Major Projects
The organization fosters vibrant, healthy communities that celebrate diversity and provide a safe, inclusive environment, supporting neighbors to reach their full potential. They cultivate equitable, compassionate relationships, and support individual growth while building capacity with families, partners, donors, and funders. This creates a welcoming space for newcomers and all neighbors, adapting to meet evolving community needs.
SVP’s Major Projects
Founded in 1993 by Lucille Mitchell, Hospice Waterloo Region provides hospice palliative care and bereavement support to those affected by life-threatening illnesses. Their core Volunteer Visiting Program pairs individuals with trained volunteers for weekly emotional and practical support. Over 28 years, Hospice Waterloo Region has expanded its services, always offering them free of charge.
SVP’s Major Projects
Founded in 1972 as Planned Parenthood Kitchener-Waterloo, SHORE Centre (Sexual Health Options, Resources & Education) emerged from the Birth Control Centre at the University of Waterloo. The Centre was established by a librarian, a social worker, a doctor, and a nurse, Catherine “Kitty” Francis, to provide the community with sexual health information and support.
SVP’s Major Projects
Since 1981, we’ve supported young victims or witnesses of abuse or crime and their families in Waterloo Region, Guelph, and Wellington County. With 80% of our funding from community fundraising and the rest from government sources, our diverse Board of Directors leads our efforts. We’re thankful to our donors, funders, supporters, and volunteers for their compassion and partnership in changing young lives.
SVP’s Major Projects
Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is Canada’s oldest and largest community mental health organization. As a federated charity, CMHA addresses key mental health priorities nationwide and advocates for policy change, while providing community-level support to millions of Canadians.
SVP’s Major Projects
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health combines Carizon Family and Community Services, KW Counseling Services, and Monica Place to create a cohesive system addressing the community’s wellbeing and mental health needs. They offer tools, resources, and services to help individuals reach their full potential and support them throughout their journey to optimal wellbeing and mental health.
Reception House specializes in supporting government-assisted refugees (GARs) in Canada, particularly in Waterloo Region, with tailored programs and services for resettlement and integration. GARs are especially vulnerable to marginalization compared to other refugee groups. Reception House provides comprehensive and holistic services to help them establish themselves in their new community.
The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASC) offers free services to individuals and families affected by sexual violence. They provide counseling, a 24-hour support line, advocacy, and support during court, police, and medical processes. SASC also has an Anti-Human Trafficking Program and works on preventing sexual violence through education and social justice initiatives.
Oak Bridge Academy is an alternative school for children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, and anxiety. It offers specialized, full-day education for grades one through nine with high teacher-to-student ratios. The school uses Applied Behaviour Analysis to promote behavioural flexibility and supports students in flourishing academically, socially, and emotionally.
Since 1984, Volunteer Waterloo Region (VWR) has been a central resource for local volunteer programs, connecting individuals and organizations across various sectors. Supporting over 160 charities and nonprofits, VWR enhances community quality of life by advocating for volunteerism through technology, partnerships, and evolving services. They promote, engage, connect, and coach individuals to foster a resilient and welcoming community.
The Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT) is a community-wide partnership that includes over 800 service providers, researchers, planning bodies, and funders serving children, youth, and families in Waterloo Region.
COMPASS Refugee Centre began in 1987 as a coalition of four Mennonite Churches in Kitchener-Waterloo and MCC Ontario. First Mennonite Church provided comprehensive support for refugees, including Hispanic services, host families, legal aid, housing, jobs, language training, medical support, and education for children.
SHOW supports long-term homeless individuals, providing 24/7 support to achieve stability and personal goals. They advocate for fair resources and supportive housing and aim to change community perceptions, relying on grants and donations to foster belonging.
Catalyst Commons, 210-137 Glasgow St, Office #5006, Kitchener, ON, N2G 4X8. info@svpwr.org
