Pellerin: Making a place for all, at Ottawa's theSpace
A fresh decade means fresh ideas. Brigitte Pellerin talks to some of the local people who are innovating – some in small ways, some in big ones, some in community-focused enterprises. Today: Rian Alston, creative director of theSpace, is helping those with autism or intellectual disabilities find their voice. In her social work, Mildenberger interacts with clients who “don’t have communities.” They participate in programs, then tend to just go home. “And I think the issue is often we don’t know how to bring people together,” she said. Related Pellerin: 2020 Vision – A new sense of family for homeless youth Pellerin: 2020 Vision – How an Ottawa co-op aims to fight climate change Or, put another way, it’s by hanging out with people who share similar interests in artistic creation that they develop a strong sense of self which, in turn, gives them the confidence to engage with the wider world and make their place in the community. Brigitte Pellerin is an Ottawa writer. ALSO IN THE NEWS Top newsmaker of the decade — Jonathan Pitre: ‘You could never have enough of him’