World · North America · 6 hrs ago
Autism Okanagan opens permanent community home in Kelowna
Autism Okanagan has opened a permanent community home in Kelowna for neurodivergent people and their caregivers.
The Hall family donated the property, which took more than a year of work with the city to prepare for use.
The new space brings programs together under one roof, replacing the rented venues, such as recreation centres and libraries, the organization used for years.
Autism Okanagan serves about 1,000 people aged four to 40 across the Okanagan, and says the home could eventually help it serve twice as many.
Anyone who is neurodivergent can take part, and a formal diagnosis is not required.
Programs include LEGO, digital arts, drawing, Dungeons & Dragons, cosplay and social groups, with courses typically lasting two to five months.
More programs and a caregiver group are planned as funding allows, giving participants and families more opportunities to connect.
Autism Okanagan has opened a permanent community home in Kelowna for neurodivergent people and their caregivers.
The Hall family donated the property, which took more than 13 months of work to turn into a community space.
The home will host programs including LEGO, digital arts, drawing, Dungeons & Dragons, cosplay and social groups.
The organization serves about 1,000 people aged four to 40 across the Okanagan and says the new space could eventually help double that number.
Global News describes the opening as taking place on Monday and also says the grand opening was held that weekend.
- Who
- Autism Okanagan opened the home for neurodivergent people and their caregivers.
- What
- It opened a permanent community space called the Home for Belonging.
- When
- The article says it officially opened on Monday, after a grand opening that weekend. It does not give the calendar date of the opening.
- Where
- Kelowna, British Columbia.
- Why
- To give people a consistent place to connect, build community and take part in programs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Autism Okanagan worked with the City of Kelowna for more than a year to rezone the property.
The home was broken into and equipment used for programming was stolen; the community helped replace it.
The home held its grand opening that weekend and Autism Okanagan officially opened it on Monday, according to the article.
- Donor
- The Hall family donated the property
- Preparation
- More than 13 months of work to turn the property into a community space
- Current reach
- About 1,000 people aged four to 40 across the Okanagan
- Potential reach
- The organization says the new space could eventually help double the number it serves
- Programs
- LEGO, digital arts, comics and drawing, Dungeons & Dragons, cosplay and social groups
1 source
What people are saying
Now, all of our programs will be in the same place
All the kids will come, and all the kids will now have a regular routine.
As they age, they will grow up in the house, and it will just become a place that is theirs and where they always belong