Local Builder Supports Affordable Housing Initiative!

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LOCAL BUILDER SUPPORTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVE

Leadership Waterloo Region to receive $30,000 in funding from Activa to ignite affordable housing partnership. 

Waterloo Region (June 12, 2019) – When you ask Tony Giovinazzo, CEO of Activa, why they do what they do, it’s all about families and building community. That’s why, when the opportunity arose to support the partnership between Leadership Waterloo Region (LWR), the Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resiliency (WISIR) and Wellbeing Waterloo Region (WWR), they jumped at the chance to make a bigger impact. Shares Giovinazzo, “We build homes and communities for families and it is our intent, with an investment in LWR, that together we can find solutions to our community’s most pressing issues, which in turn, affects the lives of every family in our Region.”

On April 5th, LWR announced that the revitalized Community Leadership Development Program (Core Program) would focus their project work on one of the top three “Big Ideas” announced by WWR: Affordable Housing. In collaboration with Waterloo Wellbeing, Leadership Waterloo Region’s Class of 2020 will work under WISIR’s Director, Dr. Sean Goebey to systems map Affordable Housing in Waterloo Region and ultimately, through prototypes, make recommendations to Wellbeing Waterloo Region to identify and recommend possible systemic changes to the many social issues that cause the need for more affordable housing. 

“We are thrilled to have Activa’s support for this critical work,” shares Dr. Geobey. “Affordable Housing is a complex issue that touches on many other issues like poverty, mental illness, addiction and access to transportation. This investment will enable our community identify and act on serious systemic challenges.”

Diane Wiles, CEO of LWR is equally excited about Activa’s decision to invest in the Core Program. “Activa’s core values of community align with LWR.  Under Tony’s leadership, the team at Activa understands that we need to be involved in our community and build a culture of giving.  LWR is enthusiastic about this partnership.” To ensure the ongoing success of the revitalized Core Program, LWR is still looking for two more investors. Adds Wiles, “it really will take a village to make the Affordable Housing project a success, and that means further investment from the community.”

The enhanced learning opportunities don’t end with the Affordable Housing project. “The project work, while very exciting, isn’t the only critical learning the Core Program students will undergo,” reminds Wiles. The Core Program, with help from leadership experts is also being revamped. The 2020 Class will be experiencing a program that includes the best of the tried and tested learning experiences from the past 20 years, while infusing innovative and relevant topics and approaches. 

Recruitment for the 2020 class is underway and applications are being accepted until June 28th. Details can be found at www.leadershipwr.org or by e-mailing Diane Wiles.