In the heart of Uptown Waterloo, there’s a place that shines as a beacon of welcome, hospitality, and compassion. Housed within Emmanuel United Church, Waterloo Wayside was created to build and nurture community. Their programs include a weekday drop-in centre, a clothing exchange, and activities for seniors - all designed to bring people together in meaningful ways.
Dave Petro, Board Chair of Wayside, explains, “Instead of community development that focuses on deficits, we use an asset-based community development model. We identify all the gifts in the community. It’s glass half-full thinking.” With this approach, the emphasis is on relationships, not transactions, allowing people to grow and thrive from wherever they are in life.
One of Wayside’s most beloved programs is the Bridgeport Café. Each weekday, it welcomes about 80 guests with warmth, hot meals, and fellowship. The choice of the word “guests” is deliberate and they are at the heart of this program. As their lives stabilize, many begin to give back. “We’ve had many people come to us for help, and then eventually start volunteering and using their skills to support others,” says Dave.
Partnerships with other community organizations, combined with the dedication of volunteers, allow Waterloo Wayside to host grass-roots programs that meet real community needs. Seniors, students, young families, and newcomers all find a place here. Students from nearby colleges and universities often complete placements at Wayside, gaining experience while also enriching the community.
For those who feel isolated or overlooked, Wayside is more than a program provider. It’s a place where people know your name, listen to your concerns, and celebrate your successes. Relationships form naturally as diverse community members share space and stories. As Dave reflects, “The common denominator for anyone I’ve met who is unhoused is that they’ve lost all of their connections. We try to give people connection and with connection, you become more resilient and can withstand much more adversity.”
Waterloo Wayside also supports 180 families through their weekly food bank distribution. Their ShareWear clothing exchange has given out more than 1,000 pairs of socks, along with coats, shoes, hats, and other essentials. A Chair Yoga program provides seniors with gentle movement, connection, and community.
Kindred is grateful to have supported Waterloo Wayside with their start-up costs through the Kindred Charitable Fund. What began as an idea rooted in compassion has grown into a thriving hub of community life, where everyone has something to give and something to receive. At Waterloo Wayside, neighbours become friends, gifts are shared, and community is built one connection at a time.