Who We Are

Inclusion is a Campbell River band with seven music-lovers putting their free time, efforts, talents and energy towards a common goal. The main thing that makes our group unique is that several of our members face a variety of developmental disabilities.  We, the group members, met at “Passages”, a day program with the Campbell River & District Association for Community Living (CRADACL), an organization that has been extremely supportive of our project.

Our goal, as a group, is to raise awareness, promote understanding and to challenge stereotypes relating to individuals with special needs.

Our message is that we all belong and have something to contribute. Our dream is to create opportunities for community members of all ages to see, first-hand, the ability and performance levels that can be achieved by anyone with a desire and a goal. We wish to spread the message that while some people achieve goals more easily than others, most worthwhile goals can be reached with time, effort and perhaps someone who believes in you. We are more alike than different and folks facing different challenges belong not only in our communities but equally in our businesses, our activity groups and even our circle of friends.

In order to promote our message, we have been performing our music, over the past two years, at various venues throughout Campbell River and Vancouver Island.  Our group has also been busy helping other groups raise funds and collect food items for other agencies in Campbell River.  

Over the years, we have helped CR Community Centre raise money for their special needs programs. We have been a part of the CR Hospital Foundation’s Telethon; we  performed at  “Learnerpalooza” for our second time, an event which raises funds for our local Literacy program, a part of School District 72’s Continuing Education Department. We also lead carol singing after the Annual Christmas Light Tour put on by CR Transit and the Willow Point Lions Club.

Currently, with the assistance of Calvin Kalyniuk we have made our first CD. We were able to do this because of a generous grant we  received from the Campbell River Community Foundation. This has been received better than expected, and we are currently working on a second CD.

We can also be reached by calling John Hollywood at 923-5654 or Gail McIntosh or Kim Thyne  at 286-0394.

Campbell River is a welcoming city where folks with special needs are made to feel included and encouraged to be a part of the community. We invite you to come and see us and be part of our community.

Thank you Hugh Schmid for making this video