{
  "id": 19268809,
  "title": "New Kelowna ‘Home for Belonging’ gives neurodivergent community a permanent place to connect",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/new-kelowna-home-for-belonging-gives-neurodivergent-community-a",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T02:29:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12143758/new-kelowna-home-belonging-neurodivergent-community-permanent-place-connect/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new building in Kelowna, opened by Autism Okanagan, offers a permanent home for neurodivergent individuals and their caregivers to connect and engage in community programs. After 13 months of transforming the donated property into a community space, the organization is now able to hold all its programs in one location. Autism Okanagan director Christy Phillips expressed that the new home provides consistency, allowing kids to attend regular weekly sessions. The facility will offer a variety of activities, such as LEGO, digital arts, comics, drawing, Dungeons & Dragons, cosplay, and social groups. Currently serving around 1,000 people aged four to 40, the organization hopes the new space can eventually accommodate twice as many. While Autism Okanagan focuses on autism, the organization welcomes anyone with neurodivergent traits. Programs are offered as full sessions, with participants spending two to five months to develop relationships and routines. The programs run after school during weekdays and on weekends, with more activities planned as funding becomes available. A separate group for parents and caregivers is also in the works, giving families a chance to form their own community. The ultimate aim is to create an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging, with the hope that individuals will grow up in the space and feel like it's truly theirs.",
  "summary": "A home in Kelowna is giving neurodivergent people and their caregivers a permanent place to build community, make friends and take part in programs centred around their interests",
  "key_points": [
    "Kelowna's 'Home for Belonging' opens, serving neurodivergent community",
    "Autism Okanagan transforms donated property into community space",
    "Activities include LEGO, digital arts, Dungeons & Dragons, social groups"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Consolidating various programs into a single permanent facility provides the neurodivergent community with the stability and routine necessary to foster long-term social connections and deeper personal growth.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}