Timeline

Waterloo Listens hosts a 3 year anniversary picnic and potluck at the pavilion at Lakeview Park including yard games, guests from allied organizations and small local businesses, and updates from WL board members about past and future efforts.

Waterloo Listens organized a 2nd annual Welcome Neighbor Supper Club with the event space and kitchen provided by the St. Paul United Church of Christ. Refugees from Syria and Afghanistan prepared traditional cultural meals for patrons to raise funds for their future restaurant and catering businesses. Refugees shared their experiences during the program.

A "letter to the editor" in the Republic-Times is published explaining the Open to All Pledge that business and intuitions can participate in to let the public know they are dedicated to non-descriptions of employees and patrons. 

Waterloo Listens sends letters to local businesses, organizations, schools and churches requesting that they take the “Open to All” pledge, and sent letters to the 14 local businesses that have the Open to All attribute set in their Yelp listing. 

Members of Waterloo Listens create rainbow floral wreaths and rainbow ribbon door hangers to raise money for WL LGBTQIA+ programs and providing programs and support to the WHS Diversity Club.

WL hosted a supportive event for LGBTQIA+ community members and allies at local merchant Philomena+Ruth in response to anti-trans actions amongst students at WHS. Local LGBTQ+ support groups from the region were invited to speak and share resources. Local small businesses provided refreshments and over 80 local individuals attended.

Members attending a WL General Assembly present a donation check of $300 to the Morrison Talbott Library. Funds were raised via a t-shirt fundraiser with shirts sold through local merchant Philomena+Ruth.

WL members spent months planning an event to highlight the importance of promoting literacy and combatting censorship in literature. Guest speakers shared their thoughts on the importance of reading banned and challenged books and read excerpts of a chosen book. Participants rotated from 4 tables to discuss different banned and challenged books with volunteers at each table leading discussions. Simultaneously break out sessions were held for different age groups for children's books.

WL t-shirt fundraiser launches on the Philomena+Ruth website with proceeds benefiting the Morrison-Talbott Library. T-shirt design created by P+R owner Elizabeth Hahn.

Waterloo Listens decorates a lamppost to participate in the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Lamppost Decorating Contest.