Community Connection Worker Program

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Culturally grounded support for Indigenous adults with diverse abilities

Culturally grounded support for Indigenous adults with developmental disabilities, autism, or FASD who need help connecting with services and community.

Who the program supports

The program is intended for Indigenous adults in Kamloops who may be eligible for services through Community Living BC (CLBC) and who experience barriers accessing the supports they need.

This may include individuals who:

Have a developmental disability, autism or FASD
Need significant assistance with daily living
Are experiencing unstable housing or other complex challenges
Have limited family, cultural or community support networks
Need help understanding or connecting with available services

How a Community Connection Worker can help

KAFS’ Community Connection Worker provides culturally informed, hands-on support to help individuals navigate services and strengthen their sense of belonging, safety and stability.

Support may include:

Connecting individuals with Elders, culture and community
Helping navigate housing, health and social services
Assisting with connections to CLBC and other service providers
Supporting individuals to identify their goals, needs and priorities
Building trusted relationships that reduce barriers to accessing support
Helping individuals strengthen their safety, stability and community connections

Grounded in culture and community

Friendship centres have a long history of supporting Indigenous people through trusted, culturally grounded services. The Community Connection Worker Program recognizes that Indigenous adults with diverse abilities deserve support that honours their identities, strengths, cultures and connections to community.

At KAFS, this means walking alongside individuals and helping them access services in ways that reflect their values and priorities.

About the pilot project

The Community Connection Worker Program is part of the Connections through Inclusion pilot project, funded by Community Living BC (CLBC).

Connect with the program

Indigenous adults, families, caregivers and community partners who would like to learn more about the Community Connection Worker Program are encouraged to contact Community Connections Worker Kristen Murray.

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Email her at ccw@kafs.ca

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Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society
125 Palm Street, Kamloops, BC V2B 8J7

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Phone: 250-376-1296

Learn more about CLBC

Learn more about Community Living BC’s Indigenous Relations work through the CLBC Indigenous Relations webpage.

The Community Connection Worker Program at the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society (KAFS) supports Indigenous adults with developmental disabilities, autism or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) who may need significant help with day-to-day living.

Through this new pilot project, KAFS helps individuals build stronger connections to cultural, housing, health, social and community supports in ways that are respectful, welcoming and grounded in Indigenous community relationships.

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“Friendship centres walk beside our people every day, and this support strengthens our ability to reach Indigenous adults with diverse abilities in ways that honour culture and community. This pilot helps us meet people where they are and connect them with services that reflect their values and priorities. We welcome this partnership as another step toward reconciliation and greater support for individuals who we serve.” — Cal Albright, Executive Director, Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society

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