Affordable housing can feel like an unreachable dream. As the cost of housing continues to increase, exploring community-based alternatives for safe and affordable housing is vital. Community Justice Initiatives of Waterloo Region (CJI), a restorative justice agency based in Kitchener, is helping to make the dream of living in a home a reality for people – just not in the way people might expect.
CJI’s solution to supporting people in accessing dignified housing is through ‘Waterloo Region Home Share’ (WRH), a free, supportive process that matches home providers and home seekers in the Waterloo region and outlying areas. A Home Share is where two or more persons, usually unrelated, share a home together and, through a Living Arrangement Memorandum of Understanding, mutually cohabit.
“This isn’t a program that provides housing,” warns Wendy Meek, Elder Mediation Service Coordinator at CJI. CJI is not a real estate board, and the program is not meant for emergency housing either. The program facilitates a Living Arrangement Memorandum of Understanding between the Home Provider and Home Seeker. It outlines what each side is looking for – whether it’s financial support to cover expenses, companionship, a shared ease of household tasks and responsibilities, or a safe and secure living situation with another person – and provides ongoing support.
Community Justice Initiatives Waterloo Region Home Share is always in need of Home Providers (people to consider sharing their space) and Home Seekers for those who need the safety and security of a roof over their heads. You can also donate to support the Waterloo Region Home Share program, or volunteer. If you’re interested in helping out, please contact CJI at 519-744-6549.
Read the full blog article → Innovative Programs to Improve Safe and Affordable Housing
Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in demand for Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). Also referred to as Green, Ethical, Sustainable or just Responsible investing, it involves the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into the selection and management of investments. The objective is to do good things with
your money, and to use wealth to build a more economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable world.
If you’ve been considering SRI, there’s no reason to delay. We can help you find socially responsible investments that allow you to connect your values and faith with your finances. Speak with a member of Kindred’s Wealth and Investment Team today.
You can ask us anything!
Read the full blog article → Socially Responsible Investing
Access to safe and affordable housing for all in our communities remains a primary theme for Kindred as part of our Community Inspiration Framework.
As the 65 and older demographic continues to grow, the need for affordable housing is on the rise. The waiting list for affordable housing in Waterloo Region was 3,000 individuals or families in 2001. In Waterloo Region, 10% of seniors are living in low-income and 25% of the housing waiting list is comprised of seniors. To address this growing issue, Kindred contributed $125,000 to Parkwood Seniors Community’s Independent Living Affordable Housing Project, Building A Community For All.
Parkwood is a faith and values-based not-for-profit that provides housing, support, and community for older adults. Since 2004, our Waterloo branch has regularly provided onsite service to Kindred members at Parkwood.
Their upcoming expansion will include 28 affordable one-bedroom apartments for those on a modest income, with many of these units also being fully accessible. People with disabilities experience greater rates of core housing needs and many seniors are included in this group.
As such, we were excited to celebrate this important step towards the creation of safe and affordable housing in Waterloo Region with the Parkwood community! The project was publicly launched on May 26 at their ground breaking. You can learn more about Parkwood and the expansion by visiting https://parkwoodmh.com/
Read the full blog article → Kindred contributes $125k to Parkwood Seniors Community for Affordable Housing
On April 12, Kindred held our 58th Annual General Meeting. Our first hybrid meeting – hosted both online and in person – was a great success thanks to enthusiastic member participation. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
114 members attended in person at Knox Presbyterian Church Waterloo, with 155 joining remotely. Members voted on a number of resolutions, including an update to our General By-law, and two new Directors were ratified for our 2022 Board of Directors.
In addition to our standard business items, special guests Kim Lester, Associate Executive Director at MCC and Fauzia Mazhar, Executive Director at the Coalition of Muslim Women Kitchener-Waterloo spoke about their shared work with Kindred and the ways in which we are working to build peaceful, just, and prosperous communities together.
Read Ian Thomas’s complete message and more highlights by visiting www.kindredcu.com/AGM. Please contact your local branch if you’d like a copy of our annual report and financial statements.
At our AGM, Ian Thomas, CEO, and John Klassen, CFO, made an exciting announcement that we have received approval from our regulatory authorities to offer a new series of investment shares to our members.
Investment shares are a tried and true method of building capital in the credit union. Many of you will remember we had a similar investment share offering in 2005 and 2019, where we successfully raised capital in order to support the growth and aspirations of the credit union. We saw the importance of this in the past three years, seeing the support of our members, farmers, churches, and those who need us the most.
There is a limited number of Investment Shares, so don’t wait! Call us today to discuss how investment shares could fit your financial plan. Visit https://www.kindredcu.com/shares for more information.
* Terms and Conditions apply. Visit kindredcu.com or your local branch for additional details.
Annual dividends for 2022 Class B Investment Shares are not guaranteed and are declared at the discretion of Kindred’s Board of Directors. 2022 Class B Investment Shares are not insured by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario or any similar public agency. 2022 Class B Investment Shares will be sold by Offering Statement only, on a first come, first served basis. See Offering Statement, Class B Shares, Series 2022 for complete details.