Local resources. Inspiring stories. Good advice.
Whether it’s physical, financial, professional or pyschological, obstacles come in all shapes and sizes. And no matter who you are, everybody goes through tough times in their lives.
Lifestyle Citizens’ founder Josh Martin was 28 years old when he experienced his biggest obstacle yet: an aggressive form of leukemia. He survived, and although it was a gruelling ordeal, having cancer taught him a lot about resilience and overcoming whatever obstacles life throws at us.
Inspired by his journey, the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook is a free collection of real-life stories, practical advice and local resources in the Cambridge & KW community geared at helping people overcome obstacles.
Download your free copy of the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook [PDF 3.0 MB]
Community Resources
One of the most biggest lessons Josh learned from his health crisis was the importance of community. Whether it was accessing peer support programs, using the Cancer Society’s shuttle service to get to appointments or tapping into educational materials from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, community resources played a huge role in his success.
Whatever obstacle you face in life — personally, professionally or otherwise — be sure to consider the resources available in your community. Thankfully, the Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo area boasts all kinds of organizations and programs focused on helping folks overcome a variety of obstacles.
Below, you’ll find information about some of them. This listing is by no means exhaustive. But hopefully it will give you a flavour of the kinds of resources available in your own backyard.
Physical health
Alzheimer’s Society Waterloo Wellington
http://alzheimer.ca/en/ww
Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank
www.cambridgefoodbank.on.ca
Canadian Cancer Society – Waterloo-Wellington
www.cancer.ca/waterloo
CCAC of Wellington-Dufferin
(home and community care)
http://healthcareathome.ca/ww/en
The Food Bank Of Waterloo Region
http://www.thefoodbank.ca
HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre
https://www.hopespring.ca
Hospice Of Waterloo Region
http://www.hospicewaterloo.ca
Nutrition For Learning
(student nutrition programs)
http://www.nutritionforlearning.ca
Professional development
John Howard Society Of Waterloo Wellington
(crime prevention, employment services)
http://johnhoward.on.ca/waterloo/
The Literacy Group
(development in reading, writing, math, computer and workforce skills)
http://theliteracygroup.com
Lutherwood
https://www.lutherwood.ca/
(mental health, employment and housing services)
The Working Centre
(unemployment and poverty programs)
https://www.theworkingcentre.org
Family & individual
Community Justice Initiatives
(conflict resolution, sexual trauma support, assistance for women and youth returning to the community from prison)
https://cjiwr.com/
Extend-a-Family Waterloo Region
(support and services for families and individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities)
https://www.eafwr.on.ca/
Family & Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region
https://www.facswaterloo.org
Family Counselling Centre of Cambridge & North Dumfries
http://fcccnd.com/
Heartwood Place
(safe, affordable housing)
http://www.heartwoodplace.ca
House of Friendship of Kitchener
(addiction, community and family services)
http://www.houseoffriendship.org
Kitchener-Waterloo Counselling Services
http://kwcounselling.com
KW Habilitation
(programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities)
https://www.kwhab.ca/
KW Multicultural Centre
(services and support for New Canadians, immigrants and refugees)
https://www.kwmc.on.ca/
Learning Disabilities Association Of Ontario, Kitchener-Waterloo
http://www.ldakw.on.ca
Marillac Place
(safe home and support for young women who are pregnant, parenting or attempting to regain care of their child)
http://www.marillacplace.ca
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
http://www.sascwr.org/
519-741-8633 (24-hour support line)
Women’s Crisis Services Of Waterloo Region
http://www.wcswr.org
YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo
https://www.ymcacambridgekw.ca
YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo
http://www.ywcakw.on.ca
Helping others overcome obstacles
Want to help others in your community overcome obstacles? Here are some local opportunities to consider:
Volunteer Action Centre KW
(volunteer opportunities)
https://www.volunteerkw.ca
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kitchener-Waterloo And Area
http://www.bbbskw.org
Canadian Blood Services Clinic
94 Bridgeport Rd E, Waterloo
(blood and platelet donations)
https://blood.ca/en
Habitat for Humanity Canada
(building homes in the community for people in need)
https://www.habitat.ca