About

Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges Society is located on Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc territory, which is part of the unceded ancestral lands of the Secwépemc Nation. We are a non-profit organization that supports neurodivergent adults in building relationships, accessing opportunities and resources, and navigating systems, support, and services using anti-oppressive, trauma-informed and decolonizing lenses.  

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Purpose

• Provide an inclusive space in the community for the neurodivergent population, regardless of diagnosis, to make connections and build relationships.   

• Deliver information on community resources and help the neurodivergent population navigate systems and access support and services.  

• Provide opportunities for employment, volunteer work, and community engagement in partnership with other community organizations.  

• Provide opportunities for peer support and mentorship.  

• Provide cultural support and safety.  

• Offer events, recreation and opportunities for fun.  

• Offer opportunities to develop life skills.  

• Offer opportunities for harm reduction and substance use support in partnership with other organizations. 

 

Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges Guiding Principles   

  

Full Autonomy and Choice: We believe in respecting people's full autonomy and choice as a community of people who have historically and contemporarily been subjected to limited autonomy and choice.  

  

Voices First: We believe that the neurodivergent community should lead, guide, and practice in ways that listen to people in the community and put their voices first. This principle is exemplified by the motto, "Nothing about us without us."  

  

Different Ways of Knowing, Doing and Being: We understand and acknowledge that every person within the neurodivergent community is an individual. There are multiple perspectives, beliefs and values around knowing, doing and being per neurodivergent populations and individuals. There is no right or wrong way to be neurodivergent or live.  

  

Understanding Barriers: We acknowledge and understand that the neurodivergent community faces many barriers and has overlapping identities and experiences. Barriers include access to equitable opportunities, resources, and diagnosis.  

  

Inviting Participation and Collaboration: We invite participation and collaboration among community members, organizations, and professionals and value them in all manners.  

  

Non-Violent and Non-Punitive Communication, Support and Services: We understand that people show up how and when they can. We do not believe in coercion or punishment when people show up in ways that we may not understand or that are different from mainstream or Western expectations.