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Quick News
We made it!!!
One year of inclusion, community and belonging!
Check out our beautiful collection of photos from our first year!
Our Vision and Mission
The Diversity Den Society exists to support individuals with diverse-abilities in building meaningful connections, with themselves, their peers, and their communities, through inclusive programs that nurture skill, creativity, and confidence.
What if you never had a place where you truly belonged? For too many people with diverse-abilities, that’s the reality—spaces are often minimally accessible or not at all. There’s a difference between being included and being welcomed, between being present and having your presence valued. At the Diversity Den Society, we believe everyone deserves more than an accessibility checklist, they deserve belonging. We’ve created a community hub that celebrates individuals with diverse-abilities/neurodivergence to feel free and to belong. Our space is designed intentionally: A Third Space for connection: a safe, inclusive place for people to socialize, participate in themed projects, or just be. Volunteer-led programming: art, music, writing, Maker Projects, and life skills. Real-world job support: members who work at our program social enterprise, Pup-n-Cup Cafe & Shop, receive training, on-the-job support, compassion, and community in the workplace. This isn’t just a Den. It’s a movement. It’s a place where people come to discover their voice, their confidence, and their value; no exceptions.
The Diversity Den isn’t only a space for people with diverse-abilities.
It’s a space built BY them, for all of us.
Our Programs
Anakin holding an italian soda with whipped cream
a volunteer holding a latte
Anakin learning to make a latte
Anakin holding an italian soda with whipped cream
A game of Magic the Gathering
Art Activity
A game of Magic the Gathering
The Pup-n-Cup Family Café & Shop is an inclusive, hands-on training program run by Diversity Den Society. Set in a real café and retail space, volunteers build practical skills in barista service, customer support, and shop operations.
Through our flexible “Create-A-Role” approach, individuals choose how they participate—building confidence, developing skills, and connecting in a welcoming, no-pressure environment.
Learn more about our Inclusive Volunteer Training Program and our future Inclusive Pathways to Employment Program
Connection Through Art & Music is a welcoming, inclusive program offered by Diversity Den Society that brings people together through creative expression. Participants engage in art, music, games, and hands-on activities like crochet and crafting in a relaxed, supportive environment.
The program focuses on building connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging, with flexible, low-pressure participation that meets individuals where they’re at.
Wall of Art
Kades wood projects
Wall of Art
Artist Corner - Local artists with diverse-abilities have the opportunity to showcase and sell their art and creations through the cafe. This allows the artist to share their art and make money without the challenges that are often associated.
Artists are sent their revenue biweekly and do not pay any commision.
Service Dog Training
one of our volunteers with paisley the beagle
Service Dog Training
Volunteer roles in the training of dogs.
Learners have the opportunity to learn about the care, training and understanding of dogs through scheduled drop-in classes.
Click HERE to see the available Dog Training Classes
Inclusive Volunteer Training Program and our future
Inclusive Pathways to Employment Program
Inclusive Volunteer Training Program — Our Pilot Our Inclusive Volunteer Training Program is the first step in building a more inclusive pathway to employment for individuals with diverse abilities. This 12-week pilot program provides our volunteers with hands-on employment training in a real community workplace. Through their experience at Pup-n-Cup Cafe & Shop, volunteers have opportunities to develop practical skills in barista service, customer service, retail, point-of-sale systems, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and workplace routines. Training is individualized to each person's strengths, interests, goals, and support needs. Rather than expecting everyone to learn in the same way or at the same pace, we work alongside each individual to identify what they want to learn, provide the supports that help them succeed, and gradually build confidence and independence. The pilot allows us to learn what works, identify the supports individuals need to succeed in a workplace, and develop a strong foundation for a larger employment-focused program. Inclusive Pathways to Employment Program — Building the Future Our upcoming Inclusive Pathways to Employment Program will build directly on the experience and lessons learned through our volunteer training pilot. This program will expand our reach beyond individuals who are already volunteering with us. It will create opportunities for high school students transitioning into adulthood, other youth, and adults with diverse abilities who are looking to develop workplace skills, explore their strengths and interests, gain meaningful work experience, and move toward employment. Through individualized training, mentorship, hands-on workplace experience, and paid opportunities, individuals will have the opportunity to develop skills while working toward their own employment goals. The goal isn't simply to teach someone how to perform a task. It is to help each individual discover what they are capable of, build confidence in their abilities, develop meaningful workplace skills, and create a pathway toward greater independence and employment. Our volunteer training pilot is where we are starting. Inclusive Pathways to Employment is where we are going.
