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- calendar_today November 10, 2026
Kelowna’s Neurodivergent Community Celebrates New Permanent Home
The neurodivergent community in Kelowna has a new place to call home. Autism Okanagan officially opened the ‘Home for Belonging’ this week, providing a dedicated and permanent community space for neurodivergent individuals and their caregivers.
A Permanent Space for Connection and Support
After more than a year of preparations, the 'Home for Belonging' held its grand opening, welcoming members to a space where they can make friends, participate in tailored programs, and build community. Prior to this, Autism Okanagan relied on rented facilities such as recreation centres and libraries for its programming, which made it difficult to establish consistent routines.
A Generous Donation from the Hall Family
The property for the new home was donated by the Hall family. Their contribution enabled Autism Okanagan to secure a permanent facility zoned for not-for-profit operations, supporting the organization’s mission to provide ongoing access and stability for its members. The donation marks a major milestone for the group, moving from dependence on temporary spaces to a consistent, accessible location.
Consistent Programs and Routines for Members
With the opening of the ‘Home for Belonging’, all of Autism Okanagan’s programs will now operate under one roof. Executive director Christy Phillips noted that the new space allows children and their caregivers to benefit from regular routines and a familiar environment. "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," she said.
Overcoming Challenges
The journey to creating the 'Home for Belonging' was not without difficulty. It took over 13 months of dedicated effort to transform the donated property into a welcoming and functional community space. Both Autism Okanagan and the Hall family worked to ensure the home met the needs of neurodivergent users and complied with local zoning requirements for non-profit organizations.
Looking to the Future
With this new kelowna home, the neurodivergent community in Kelowna can look forward to ongoing program routines, enhanced caregiver support, and opportunities for meaningful connection. The ‘Home for Belonging’ stands as a model of community building, showing what can be achieved through local support and collaboration.
Source: globalnews.ca.
