Our Programs & Initiatives

Heads Up for Inclusion seeks to increase inclusion, reduce social isolation and improve the feeling belonging.

After all, we all deserve to feel like we matter.

You can help us:

Land Acknowledgement

We recognize that we, Heads up for Inclusion, reside on traditional and treaty land. Peterbourough county is located on the Treaty 20 in Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabe and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nation. We acknowledge that the land we live on, the water we drink from and the air we breath are from the earth and we give our thanks to the earth. We give our gratitude and thanks to the many different Indigenous teachings that have been given to us, and to the many different Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers who are willing to teach us.

Our adventures

Mission Statement

Heads Up for Inclusion promotes and encourages connections leading to the development of permanency in relationships, so any individual facing barriers to inclusion can participate more fully in the life of their community.

Heads Up for Inclusions programs are eligible to be in all Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board & Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board catchment areas.

Vision Statement

Heads Up for Inclusion seeks to encourage full and meaningful community participation and belonging of any individual facing barriers to inclusion.

"Envision an accessible and inclusive society as one where we work together to accomplish things regardless of our differences."

We focus on how we can use the strengths of each person instead of excluding people based on what they can't do. It would be a society that promotes expanding and opening your thinking to "think outside the box" so everyone can be included.

Danielle Hill; Former Board of Directors

school amigos

Amigos is an inclusion program initially focusing on youth with intellectual disabilities, but is open to all youth who experience barriers to inclusion.
The Amigos program uses peer support and mentorship through matching:

Amigos – students who face barriers to inclusion, together with

Amigo Connectors – students who are well connected and supportive of others.

community Amigos

The Community Program is for young adults (aged 19-30) with or without disabilities whom are facing barriers to inclusion. Participants are paired up with volunteer Connectors who share mutual interests and goals. Pairs meet up regularly to participate in leisure and recreational activities. Lasting relationships are built, and connections are made in the community.

Our online Community connection portal

Since the onset of COVID-19, Heads Up for Inclusion has gone virtual and created an online space for friends of our programs both school and community to chat, connect, and learn together. We have both Amigos and Amigo Connectors from our local community as well as our staff inside monitoring and encouraging the development of supportive relationships that last.

accessibility & inclusion network

The Accessibility and Inclusion Network seeks to increase accessibility and inclusion for all persons with differing abilities in the Peterborough/Nogojiwanong region through a collaborative effort with our community to build a strong and thriving community together. We believe that we are better when we come together! Would you like to help us?