About Us
Inclusion
Inclusion is a purposeful journey to live, work, learn and play together.
Inclusion Foothills
Connectors and Champions
Inclusion Foothills is a family advocacy organization committed to providing individuals with disabilities and their families support that contributes to an inclusive, meaningful life. Of utmost importance is creating a safe, non-judgmental space for all in offering support, education, and information.
Our services cover a range of programs and change over time to meet the current needs of families and sometimes funding. Services have included support groups, one-to-one assistance planning, access to resources, and so much more. Inclusion Foothills also provides employment services, facilitating those with barriers to find meaningful and rewarding work.
We consider pan-disability to be broad and inclusive. Inclusion Foothills supports many needs from Asthma, Asperger's, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Disabilities, Gifted and Talented to Williams Syndrome and more.
Powered by Community
Inclusion Foothills is a non-profit organization serving High River and communities within the Foothills, Willow Creek, and Vulcan regions of Alberta, Canada. We are often mistaken for a government agency that receives funds from the Province of Alberta. This is not true.
The programs and services we are able to offer solely depend on:
- public grants
- funding partners
- corporate sponsorships
- markets
- fundraising
- donations from generous people like you
Our History
Inclusion Foothills has been helping families and individuals with pan disabilities for over 24 years in their pursuit of the ordinary.
Two Decades and Counting
During the 20th anniversary of Inclusion Foothills, Executive Director Orvella Small chats with Jody Seeley about working with families and individuals in the High River and Foothills areas.
Milestones Along The Way
Like the families and individuals we serve, our path to arriving where we are today has been filled with highs and lows. We are grateful to have many more moments of celebration than hurdles to overcome. There will always be more work to do in helping more people lead inclusive lives.
1998
Foothills SNAPS is born
6 Foothills families believed they could influence their communities to invite those with any or all special needs to be included in normal life
2003
Foothills SNAPS becomes a charity
2003
Inclusive Education Partnership founded
Families meet with community stakeholders to address inclusion in the Foothills School Division #38
2004
We have a brand
The first Foothills SNAPS Logo, still inspiring our logo today, was designed and donated to Foothills SNAPS by Brian Zelt
2005
Office opens
The first office space opens within the FFAS (Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society) High River office
2007
Moving on over
Office moves to the Macleod Trail, High River location
2008
First large fundraiser a success
Okotoks Safeway and Safeway Foundation's We Care campaign raises $10,572
2009
Expanding our reach
Support services expanded to families in the MD of Willow Creek
2010
First official staff hired
Transition Planning program begins, preparing teenagers' transition to adulthood. Impacts 100s of youth over the years
2010
First Leather ‘n’ Chaps … Ridin' for SNAPS Poker Rally
2011
Our family grows
Foothills SNAPS serving 67 families
2013
Office 3.0
Foothills SNAPS moves to our current location on 123 4th Ave SW High River
2013
Doubly Whammy
Losing everything in the June flood combined with the economic downturn made 2013 a devasting year
2018
Two Decades!
20 years of helping families coincides with five years of rebuilding, recovering, and rising above the impact flood and downturn
2018
Creating a legacy
In Pursuit of the Ordinary ... A Journey to an Inclusive Alberta, our Canada 150 Legacy Project, is published
2019
Expanding our reach - again
Support services extend to families in Vulcan County.
2019
New name, same vision
Foothills SNAPS becomes Inclusion Foothills, better representing our work founded in creating inclusive communities
2019
In Pursuit of the Ordinary video launched
The In Pursuit of the Ordinary organization video launched at the IF Only Thereon Fleury event
2021
Final Leather ‘n’ Chaps… Ridin for SNAPS Poker Rally
2021
Setting the compass
The Board sets our future direction with a new Vision, new Mission, and Strategic Plan to go with our new name
2021
Reaching even more
The numbers continue to grow:
- serving over 1115 families and 3538 individuals
- partnering with 4 school divisions
- partnering with numerous industries, businesses and non-profits