Collide Foundation · Canada
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Collide Foundation · Est. 2020 · Southern Georgian Bay

Breaking
the surface.

Rebuilding Hope • Rebuilding Lives • Rebuilding Families

Counselling, creative programs and real-world skills for neurodivergent teens, youth and young adults aged 14 to 30, and support for the families who love them.

Find support → Explore programs

Why the whale

Founded

2020

Focus

Ages 14–30

Home waters

Collingwood, ON

A humpback breaking through the surface is powerful, intelligent and extraordinary. In the right environment, there is no mistaking what it is capable of. We believe the same is true of neurodivergent individuals.

Like a magnificent whale breaching the waves, neurodivergent youth possess an incredible force in a world often too small to contain it. At Collide we help them turn perceived differences into undeniable strengths.

Who we support

Start where you are.

We offer a lot, and you don't need to take it all in at once. Choose what fits you best, and we'll show you where to begin.

Ages 14–30

Your differences can be your strengths.

Friendships, anxiety, school, figuring out what's next. You don't have to work it out alone. These are built for you.

  • Counselling & Support Groups — talk with someone who understands ADHD and Autism.
  • Fusion Art Classes — painting, sculpting, drawing, puppetry and handwork.
  • Life & Survival Skills — gardening, cooking, starting a business, teamwork.
  • Job Training & Skills — real roles with real responsibility.
  • Anxiety-Support Dogs — carefully placed Poodle and Poodle-mix companions.

See all programs →

Programs & services

Many currents, one direction.

Many of our programs are open to the whole community, while others are designed for neurodivergent youth and their families. Fees are kept affordable, with subsidies where possible.

Youth 14–30

Counselling & Support Groups

Talk with someone who understands ADHD and Autism, one to one or in a group of people who get it.

Families

Family Mediation & Reunification

Free support groups for estranged families, with coaching, mediation and reconciliation support.

Parents & grandparents

Parent & Family Coaching

Practical guidance for parents and grandparents navigating the teen and young-adult years.

All ages

Fusion Art Classes

Seasonal classes that blend painting and sculpting, drawing, puppetry, handwork and everything in between.

Youth 14–30

Life & Survival Skills

Hands-on learning, from gardening and cooking to starting a business, negotiating and working as a team.

Youth & volunteers

Job Training & Skills

Real roles with real responsibility, plus partnerships with schools, colleges and employment agencies.

Youth & families

Anxiety-Support Dogs

We raise and carefully place Poodles and Poodle mixes, chosen for health and temperament, as anxiety-support companions.

Everyone

Waterfront & Environmental Cleanups

A yearly waterfront cleanup and BBQ fundraiser, in partnership with larger environmental organizations.

Schools & community

Education & Speaking

Talks on ADHD, Autism and the challenges facing neurodivergent teens, youth and young adults.

Swipe or scroll sideways to see all nine →

A moment for you

Before you go on, take one slow breath.

Follow the light. Breathe in as it grows, out as it settles. This is the pace we try to keep for every young person who walks through our door.

Breathe

Since 2020

How Collide began

Born from a parent's real need.

Collide Foundation began in 2020 from personal experience. As the parent of a neurodivergent son, our founder saw how dramatically life can change as children with ADHD and Autism move from childhood into their teen and young-adult years.

Friendships get more complicated. Loneliness, anxiety and the pressure to fit in can feel overwhelming. Supports at school begin to fall away just as young people are trying to become more independent and move out from under their parents' wing.

Most of what they struggle with is invisible to those around them. A young person can be exceptionally intelligent, artistic, funny and creative while struggling profoundly in areas others take for granted. Understanding both the challenges and the potential sits at the heart of Collide.

Loneliness Anxiety Bullying Executive functioning Planning & decisions Independence

Here in your community

Sometimes being different isn't something to overcome. Sometimes it is where something extraordinary begins.

Collingwood and Southern Georgian Bay  ·  Rural and smaller communities, where specialized support is harder to find  ·  Remote volunteers across Canada

2020

Founded by a parent of a neurodivergent son

14–30

Teens, youth and young adults at the centre of our work

9

Programs and services, from counselling to support dogs

Volunteer-run

So more of every dollar goes straight back into programs

Get involved

Every wave starts with someone.

Collide is grassroots and volunteer-powered. Whether you give an hour, a donation or a hand at the waterfront cleanup, it goes directly back into programs for young people and families.

Volunteer

Real roles, real experience

Our volunteers hold real positions with real responsibilities, gain training and teamwork experience, and are the first people we look to when paid positions open. Remote outreach roles are open across Canada.

Apply to volunteer

Shop

Wear the whale

Every purchase funds programs.

  • Breach hoodie
  • Bay tote
  • Surface mug

Visit the shop

Fundraise & gather

Join us at the water

  • Waterfront cleanup — our yearly shoreline cleanup with partner environmental groups.
  • BBQ fundraiser — food, community and funds for programs.
  • Fusion Art season — new seasonal classes for all ages.
  • Host your own fundraiser — we'll help you plan it.

Rebuilding Hope.
Rebuilding Lives.
Rebuilding Families.

Whether you need support, have a young person searching for their place, want to volunteer, join a program or simply learn more, we invite you to connect with us.

Talk to us → About Collide