Get involved and belong
Make connections. Build community. Get involved.
Feeling at home in a new city is about more than accessing services. It is also about meeting people, sharing your experiences and finding opportunities to participate in your community.
On this page:
Connect with your community
There are many ways to meet people and participate in Kitchener:
- Visit your local community centre
- Join a neighbourhood or community association
- Attend community and cultural events
- Participate in recreation programs
- Visit the library
- Volunteer
- Join cultural, faith, newcomer or community organizations
- Participate in civic engagement opportunities
Volunteer
Volunteering can help you meet people, learn more about your community, practice language skills and contribute your experience and knowledge.
New residents bring valuable skills, perspectives and experiences to Kitchener. Getting involved is one way to build connections while helping shape the community you now call home.
- Kitchener Public Library
- EngageWR
- Volunteer Waterloo Region
- United Way Waterloo Region Communities
- Waterloo Region Community Foundation
- Community Diversity Group
- Volunteer opportunities in the City of Kitchener
Belonging and inclusion
Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and included in Kitchener.
The city participates in initiatives designed to combat identity-based hate and discrimination and has supported the regional We Belong Here campaign.
If you experience or witness hate, there are resources available to help you understand your options and report an incident.
Learn about Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) initiatives at the City of Kitchener and We All Belong Here
Hate crime in Waterloo Region:
Additional resource and supports
The organizations and services listed below provide information and assistance related to public safety, justice, victim services, and legal matters.
This list is intended as a high-level guide to available resources and is not exhaustive. Additional supports may be available through community organizations, municipalities, and government agencies based on individual needs and circumstances.
Emergency and Non-Emergency Contacts
If you are experiencing an emergency and require immediate assistance from police, fire, or paramedic services, call 9-1-1. Emergency services are available 24 hours a day to respond to situations where there is an immediate risk to life, safety, health or property.
For non-urgent matters that require police assistance, contact the Waterloo Regional Police Service Non-Emergency Line at 519-570-9777. This number can be used to report incidents that do not require an immediate emergency response or to obtain general police assistance and information.
Learn more information on public safety and emergency services available to you:
- Waterloo Regional Police Service
- Kitchener Fire Department
- Ambulance and Paramedic Services
- Emergency Planning
- Bylaw -City of Kitchener
- Learn more about scams and fraud prevention
- Identify a scam or fraud
- Protect yourself against financial fraud and identity theft
- Consumer Protection Ontario
- Contacts Directory | Alert Waterloo Region
Justice & Victim Services:
- The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights
- Victims Bill of Rights Ontario
- Community Justice Initiatives
- Victim Services of Waterloo Region
- Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council
Legal Services:
Land acknowledgement
The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.