Your church can be a safe place for kids like mine
Good morning from the wheat belt — five communities, strong roots, and stories worth your time.
Sometimes you read something, and it just… settles different, you know? Like it’s not just a story, it’s a whole *feeling*. That’s how I felt reading about Pastor Dani Caldeira, who moved here from Brazil last year. Her son, almost 15 now, was diagnosed with autism at two years old, and she’s working to make her church a truly safe space for families like hers. It got me thinking, *oba nä*, about how much we just assume places are welcoming when they really aren't for everyone.
### Why This Matters for Us
Pastor Caldeira's story is important because it’s about more than just one church. It’s about how we, as communities, think about inclusion. She’s trying to make a concrete difference, and that's something we should all pay attention to.
* It highlights that accessibility isn't just about ramps; it's about sensory environments, understanding different communication styles, and having patience. * It reminds us that many families in Brandon, in the West End, out by the University, or even folks driving in from the RM of Elton, are looking for places where their kids truly belong. * It's a quiet challenge to all our community hubs – our recreation centres, our local coffee shops downtown, even the Keystone Centre – to think harder about who isn’t comfortable walking through their doors.
This isn't just about faith once. It's about recognizing the diverse needs within our own city, and how a little bit of intentionality can make a world of difference for families trying to find their place. It’s a scheen thing, what she’s doing.
Leah Fehr-Broesky, MiTL Sports Desk, Brandon.
The morning crew talks about things like this once — you should listen live at mornings.live.