ABOUT THE CCAWR

The Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region is a non-profit organization serving Waterloo Region’s Caribbean community. Organized in 1975, we are committed to strengthening and enhancing the quality of life of families and individuals by providing culturally sensitive programs, support, resources, education and training.

The CCAWR aims to promote the social, cultural and economic interests of, and advocate for, the Caribbean community in the Region of Waterloo.

 

Our Events

Persons of Distinction 2017

PERSONS OF DISTINCTION

The CCAWR initiated the Persons of Distinction ceremony to honour individuals who have contributed to the region and the community in a meaningful way. It is our way of saying “thank you”. The event will be held on April 29, 2017.

 

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black History Month is recognized in February every year through events hosted by various community organizations. It is an opportunity to celebrate and remember the people and events in the history of the African diaspora who have contributed to the development of the Canadian society. Look out for upcoming events in your area.

 

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FAMILY BRUNCH

The CCAWR Family Brunch is one of the main fundraiser events for the organizations Scholarship Program. It is an annual event usually held in June and is hosted by the CCAWR to raise money for the Scholarship Fund. The event offers great entertainment, food, features a guest speaker, and of course a time to meet up with some old friends.

 

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AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

The Awards of Excellence presentation ceremony is usually held in September, at which time all awardees are presented with their scholarships. The CCAWR Scholarship Fund was started in 2002 and provides tuition awards to students of Caribbean heritage in the Waterloo Region community as they move ahead to university or college. The award has steadily grown from $500 to $1,5000 over the years, and we will be undertaking new initiatives that increase the level award.

 

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Words of Inspiration

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

- Harriet Tubman

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

- Barack Obama

“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

- Martin Luther King Jr.

“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”

- Maya Angelou

 

In Focus

September 25, 2021

LiftOff By CCAWR is Hiring!

Hello Community, In August the CCAWR launched the LiftOff program for Black business entrepreneurs. The LiftOff program is a business incubator designed to help members of the Black community start […]

Picture of Canadian Indigenous Peoples

July 11, 2021

In Support of Indigenous Peoples’ Search for Truth

Hello Community, The past few months have brought us heartbreaking news on a mass burial site for up to 215 Indigenous children at a former residential school in Kamloops BC, and the […]

July 4, 2021

2021 CCAWR Scholarships ranging from $1500 to $3000. Deadline is July 15th!

July-04-2021 Hello Community, The deadline for our CCAWR scholarship applications is approaching fast! We wanted to remind everyone that scholarships are available from $1500 to $3000 this year, and the […]

Volcanic lava

April 13, 2021

How to Support Relief Efforts for St Vincent and the Grenadines

Hello Community, The recent eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano on the island of St. Vincent has caused thousands of persons to be displaced, under emergency evacuation orders from the […]

April 7, 2021

CCAWR Scholarships – Now Open for 2021

April-04-2021 The CCAWR scholarship program had a successful year and continues to grow from strength to strength. Last year, despite the challenges of COVID-19, a record number of scholarships were […]

Image of Black Entrepreneur

March 28, 2021

Announcing the CCAWR Incubator Program (Liftoff)

Waterloo Region has one of the world’s fastest-growing tech sectors and the world’s second-highest start-up density after Silicon Valley*. The Region of Waterloo and surrounding areas are known for innovation […]

March 6, 2021

COVID-19 And The Importance Of Vaccinations

Hello Community! COVID-19 has impacted the health of Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Colour (BIPOC) to a much greater degree than the rest of the population. As a result, there are specific initiatives underway at […]

S.T.E.M. Poster

February 10, 2021

Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Day for Black Students on March 7th

The CCAWR, BrainSTEM Alliance and the Canadian Multicultural Inventors Museum will be hosting a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) Day for Black students in the Region of Waterloo on […]

February 1, 2021

Happy Black History Month!

  The CCAWR, its sponsors and partners, greeted Black History Month 2021 Waterloo Region with a virtual Launch event on January 30th and 31st. The theme of the event was “Celebrate. Educate. Advocate.” Hosted […]

December 23, 2020

Season’s Greetings!

Hello Community, This holiday season will have special meaning for us all, as we fellowship with family and friends, guided by our concerns for everyone’s health and wellbeing. Christmas cards […]

News You Can Use

  1. ‘It really is about access’: Business incubator for Black entrepreneurs to launch in Waterloo region

    The Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (CCAWR) will soon launch an incubator aimed at Black entrepreneurs, with the first cohort of aspiring business owners set to begin in early 2022.
    “We’re beyond excited,” said Trevor Charles, a board member with the CCAWR and professor of biology at the University of Waterloo.

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/it-really-is-about-access-business-incubator-for-black-entrepreneurs-to-launch-in-waterloo-region-1.6140564

  2. Local Caribbean Canadian Association nets $2.9M to support Black entrepreneurs

    “With an investment of over $2.9 million the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region will be able to continue and expand their work supporting and fostering Black entrepreneurship. These investments are an important part of our strategy to help support Black businesses so that they can continue to play an important role in our community and our country.”

    https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2021/08/15/local-caribbean-canadian-association-nets-29m-to-support-black-entrepreneurs.html

    Also, see this article:

    https://www.kitchenertoday.com/local-news/wr-caribbean-canadian-association-to-receive-nearly-3m-to-support-black-entrepreneurship-4222624

  3. Conestoga College to support Black entrepreneurship programs

    The LiftOff program will have a strong focus on supporting female entrepreneurs, and will provide access for Black entrepreneurs to business advisory services, incubator and accelerator programming, entrepreneurial workshops, and one-on-one mentorship opportunities to help them start and grow their businesses.”

    http://blogs1.conestogac.on.ca/news/2021/08/conestoga_to_support_black_ent.php

  4. Region of Waterloo COVID-19 Vaccination Pre-Registration

    Book your first or second dose.

    https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/covid-19-vaccination-pre-registration.aspx

  5. Select Rexall Pharmacies COVID-19 Vaccination Waitlist

    Walk-ins now accepted.

    https://www.rexall.ca/covid-19/vaccines

  6. Select Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacies COVID-19 Vaccination Waitlist

    Check this site often as details change regularly.

    https://covid-19.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/vaccine

  7. 2021 CCAWR Scholarship Poster

    Click to see our latest Scholarship Poster

  8. RDSB Students’ Return to School in September 2021

    Information on Learning At School (In-Person) for the Full Year and Learning At Home (Remote) for the Full Year for the Waterloo Region District School Board.

    https://schools.wrdsb.ca/school-year-information/action-required/september-2021-making-your-decision-alternative-formats-and-multimedia-options/

  9. WRDSB System Navigator Form

    African, Caribbean and Black identifying students and families who wish to access the System Navigator Anti-Black Racism support should complete the System Navigator Form.

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfz2mTSBFMz_Oq4BSFR-WQVpKdCsrWbKJljzJ25gZ0HSsvUmA/viewform

  10. $221 Million in Loans for Black Entrepreneurs

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-black-entrepreneurs-1.5717297

  11. Summer Intern, Waterloo Region Black Innovation Centre

    The CCAWR has secured funding for two (2) summer interns for Summer 2021, in support of the development of the Waterloo Region Black Innovation Centre.

    WRBIC Summer Interns

  12. Scholarships Recognize Achievements of Black Students – Waterloo Record Article!

    https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2020/09/16/scholarships-recognize-achievements-of-black-students.html

  13. Words of advice and inspiration from young people in Waterloo region who won this year’s Awards of Excellence

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/awards-of-excellence-winners-share-advice-inspiration-1.5764887

  14. Hire BIPOC

    https://www.hirebipoc.ca

  15. Region Announces Members of Anti-Racism Advisory Working Group

    https://www.kitchenertoday.com/local-news/region-announces-who-will-be-part-of-anti-racism-advisory-working-group-2875684?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Email

    https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=ab159244-c732-45c7-b4c9-67b38b43eed5&newsId=6bfd0fcd-392c-4673-a1c8-47b6581cd8cb#

 

Our Partners & Sponsors