October is Community Inclusion Month in BC, a time to recognize and celebrate the valuable contributions that people with intellectual disabilities make to our communities every day. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on what inclusion truly means — and how we can continue building spaces where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and valued.
This month holds special meaning for us at Delta Housing Be Mine Society (DHBMS). It marks the one-year anniversary of ten of our members moving into their own homes — living independently with the supports they need to thrive.
In honour of this, Delta Housing Be Mine Society hosted an evening celebration of inclusion and community at REACH Child and Youth Development Society in Ladner. The event brought together self-advocates, family members, service providers, and community allies for a night of storytelling, creativity, and connection.
Throughout the evening, we heard, directly from our community, what inclusion means to them and what independent living has meant to them over the past year.
What Inclusion Means to Our Community
We invited members to reflect on three simple but meaningful questions — and their responses offered insight, warmth, and honesty about what inclusion and independence truly look like in everyday life.
What does independent living mean to you?
In celebration of our members that moved into their own homes last year, we asked attendees to share what independent living means to them. The answers were insightful and heartfelt.
Members shared that independent living means being heard, being able to make their own decisions - about what they do, their schedule, and their friends. For many, independent living means creating a home that reflects who they are — cooking the meals they love, decorating their spaces in their own style, and enjoying the freedom to live life on their own terms.
What has been the best part of living in your own home?
When asked about the best part of living independently, guests shared a range of simple but deeply meaningful joys — having their own space, doing their own laundry and cooking, spending time with friends when they choose, and enjoying the comfort of watching their own TV with their own cup of coffee.
What does inclusion mean to you?
When we asked what inclusion means, our members offered powerful reflections. To them, inclusion means:
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Being invited places
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Being known by name — greeted with a smile or a hello
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Being seen and not ignored
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Being part of a welcoming group
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Having equal opportunities
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Feeling that all are welcome and every voice is heard
A shared message that emerged from the group was that inclusion is just the first step — belonging is the goal.
Building a Wall of Inclusion
We ended the evening by creating a Wall of Inclusion — a collaborative space where attendees could write down what inclusion means to them. Together, we filled the wall with colourful notes, kind words, and heartfelt expressions, forming a vibrant mosaic of belonging, respect, and community strength.
A Celebration of Community
The event wasn’t just about reflection — it was about celebration. As we marked one year since ten tenants moved into their own homes here in Ladner, we took time to acknowledge how far we’ve come in building inclusive housing and supportive community networks.
Attendees shared laughs, stories, and conversations that reminded us all why inclusion matters — not just in words, but in daily action and connection.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating Community Inclusion Month. Together, we’re proving that inclusion isn’t just an idea — it’s something we build every day, through connection, compassion, and community.
