Autism Okanagan opens new Kelowna “Home for Belonging” for neurodivergent community

The Story

Autism Okanagan officially opened its new “Home for Belonging” in Kelowna on Monday after more than 13 months of work to transform the property into a community space.

The home was donated by the Hall family, and the organization said the move will allow programs to run from the same location rather than relying on rented community spaces.

Autism Okanagan executive director Christy Phillips said the change means “all of our programs will be in the same place,” adding that “all the kids will come, and all the kids will now have a regular routine.”

City of Kelowna zoning approved the property for use by a not-for-profit organization. Autism Okanagan said it worked with the city for more than a year to rezone the property.

During the preparation period, the property was broken into and programming equipment was stolen, which the organization said it has been able to replace with help from the community.

The new space will host programs including LEGO, digital arts, comics and drawing, Dungeons & Dragons, cosplay, youth and adult social groups, and sporting events.

Autism Okanagan currently serves about 1,000 people between the ages of four and 40 across the Okanagan, and said the new space could eventually help double that number.

The organization said a formal diagnosis is not required for neurodivergent people to take part, and programming is offered in full sessions typically running for two to five months so participants can build relationships and routines.

Autism Okanagan said programs currently run after school during the week and on weekends, with additional programming planned as funding becomes available, and it is also planning a new group for parents and caregivers.

Phillips said the goal is to create a place where people “can feel they belong,” adding, “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.”