Multifaith Room at Region of Waterloo

By Sandy Milne

March 26 saw the launch of a new Multifaith room at Region of Waterloo’s administrative headquarters, 150 Frederick Street in Kitchener.  “We’re shaping workplaces that recognize the full lives of the people within them - this room is a small but meaningful example of that commitment in action,” says Mathieu Goetzke, the Region's Acting Chief Administrative Officer.

Located on the second floor, the Multifaith room is a small, peaceful space available to anyone, whether Regional staff or a member of the public, who needs a quiet place to pray, reflect, or just to be.  At the launch, Fauzia Baig, co-director of the Region’s Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion office recalled retreating to her car to perform Salah (prayer) when she first worked at the Region.  After some time, her request for a space inside was met with an area at the end of a corridor screened by moveable partitions.  This new room is a huge improvement.  It has a comfortable carpet, moveable cushions, easily adjusted screens and restful décor including subdued lighting and a leafy mural on one wall.  Right outside the door is a rack for shoes and a Wudu (ritual ablutions) room.

Says Fauzia, "This space is another representation of the Region's journey towards reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion, and our ongoing commitment to creating spaces where staff and community members can show up as their authentic selves.”

The room was the result of collaboration between many departments at the Region.  “We’ve designed this space with thoughtful intention and practical details to ensure ease of access and respectful use,” says Aaron Moss, Director of Facilities and Fleet Management. 

Sandy Milne, past-president of Interfaith Grand River(IGR), brought greetings on behalf of IGR and the gift of a Multifaith Calendar to help those who use the room be aware of what folks from other traditions might be observing or celebrating on a given day.  Spaces like this room help not only those who use them, but also everyone in the community.  Because, when any one of us is more at ease, more centred, more completely themselves, every one of us can be the same.

The multi-faith room is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is accessible to all staff and members of the public. It is one of several multi-faith rooms across the Region’s facilities, with more planned in the coming months.