Each of us has many gifts.  Discover them!

• Look for gifts with the intentionality and intensity.
• Spend your time with people and in neighbourhoods. Build relationships.
• Be open to possibilities. Suspend control.
• We do not need to fix or correct people.
• Acknowledge people’s gifts in as many situations as possible.
• Pay attention to people and ask questions.

Our neighborhoods are full of welcoming places.  Get involved!

• Practice radical hospitality.
• Help people meet and get to know others.
• Look for opportunities for people to share their gifts.
• Create spaces for people to explore their gifts.
• Be curious about people and places.
• When a group or an association is receptive to including one person with a disability, don’t flood them with all others.

Invitations and introductions are powerful tools to build community.

• Call people by their names.  Look for the people who are natural connectors.
• Avoid using jargon and system language (group home, day programs etc.)
• Emphasize characteristics the person has in common with all people.
• When information needs to be shared, do it as positively as possible.
• Don’t exaggerate the person’s needs for professional help.

It’s all about relationships.

• Be natural.  Don’t take an authoritative role.
• Don’t be in the way.  Allow others the chance to reach out.
• If there are challenges that trust people to solve them.
• Avoid conflicts at all costs.  If a connection is not working out, try something new.