Building Community – TWC Interactive

Places of Inclusion

Stephanie Mancini March 1, 2026

Gathering in public spaces helps to build community and awareness of one another – in our similarities and our differences. The Mayors’ Dinner, now in its 37th year, is a public gathering that brings 900 people together annually, to celebrate commitment to the common good, to gather, and to support The Working Centre. At this year’s Mayors’ Dinner, we will highlight community endeavours that foster the habit of supporting public places.

Building Community with Your Support

The Working Centre December 1, 2025

Dear Friends, It was heartening to welcome 800 people to the 97 Victoria Open Houses. While we celebrated the completion of construction, the stark realities of the struggles people face continue to weigh on us. Our community has so much to give, but the many challenges people face are ever present.

Open Hearted Work

Roger Gilbert September 1, 2025

I have worked for 25 years in many roles with agencies and services providing support to the community and particularly to those most vulnerable and marginalized. It was always a calling for me from an early age. Throughout those years I worked with so many wonderful people and had experiences and growth from the community I was present with. While the work was always well intentioned, there were systemic blockages which hindered truly aligned work. You could feel the blockages and the dissonance it created for individuals – a dissonance between your work-self and your true-self.

Gathering with Neighbours at the 36th Mayors’ Dinner

Kara Peters Unrau June 1, 2025

On April 5th, we celebrated the 36th Mayors’ Dinner in Marshall Hall at Bingemans. With over 860 guests, the room was at full capacity. This year our theme was Knowing our Neighbours. We gathered to celebrate the many ways people share themselves with our community, and to hear about building community and celebrating diversity and inclusion. We heard inspiring stories from Fauzia Mazhar and John Lougheed. We also updated the community on the construction progress and highlighted The Working Centre’s Making Home project at 97 Victoria.

Building Community with Our Neighbours

Joe Mancini June 1, 2025

Remarks by Joe Mancini at the 36th Mayors’ Dinner: There are so many people who are here tonight who contribute to The Working Centre. It is overwhelming to think about the deep generosity that has helped sustain TWC’s village of community supports.

Creating Stronger Connections Across Our Community

Fauzia Mazhar June 1, 2025

It is an honour to stand before you tonight to reflect on the power of community and the meaningful connections we can build. This gathering is a testament to our shared commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant Waterloo Region, where everyone feels they belong.

Spiritual Care in Small Things

John Lougheed June 1, 2025

One of my mentors in ministry was the late Father Bernie Hayes, of the local Roman Catholic community. I remember him saying in a wedding homily: “You know I’ve never been married…” and amidst the gales of laughter, with his great sense of timing, Bernie added: “But, I hear it is hard work…and worth the effort!” This remarkable gathering tonight reminds us all that building community is hard – and at times, fun! – work together, and is always worth the effort.

Carol Taylor Receives the King Charles III Coronation Medal

The Working Centre June 1, 2025

Carol Taylor is widely known for her volunteer work with several different groups over many years, and has a long history of being a supporter of causes and organizations in her roles as senior staff member, Board Member and Committee Member. Her work and quiet leadership style have had a positive impact on many people’s lives and have strengthened our community.

Knowing Our Neighbour

Stephanie Mancini March 1, 2025

This year’s Mayors’ Dinner theme, Knowing Our Neighbour, is about the positive social connections that engender dialogue and reciprocity. We all know the importance of neighbours. Can we become neighbourly people in the widest sense, can we strive to find positive ways to build community? The Dinner this year comes at a time when there is a discouragement for the divides that we see around us. Neighbourliness, the ability of people and groups to talk to each other, help each other out and learn from each other is a pathway to building community.

A Year of Movement and Renewal

The Working Centre December 1, 2024

Dear Friends, this past year has been a year of movement and renewal. The structural steel beams creating a third floor for the 44 new housing units at 97 Victoria symbolizes the energy throughout The Working Centre, directed towards building and shifting spaces that make a difference in people’s lives.

Tag: Building Community