About Collide
Different isn't something to overcome.
Collide Foundation supports neurodivergent teens, youth and young adults aged 14 to 30, and the families who love them, across Collingwood and Southern Georgian Bay.
Our story
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 and relationships become more complicated. Loneliness, anxiety and the pressure to fit in can feel overwhelming, and bullying can reach a whole new level in the teen years. Executive functioning challenges make planning, organization, decision making and everyday responsibilities extremely difficult.
All of this happens just as young people are becoming more autonomous, supports at school are falling away, and they are moving out from under their parents' wing.
Most of what they struggle with is invisible to those around them. ADHD and Autism are very real disabilities. A young person can be exceptionally intelligent, artistic, funny, creative or gifted while struggling profoundly in areas others take for granted.
Understanding both the challenges and the potential sits at the heart of Collide. We support teens, youth, young adults and their families through education, counselling, support groups and programs that help them deal with real-life challenges, find solutions, and discover, build and hone their own unique strengths.
Why the whale
Powerful. Intelligent. Extraordinary.
The image of a huge humpback breaking through the surface has become an important symbol for Collide. In the right environment, there is no mistaking what a whale is capable of. We believe the same is true of neurodivergent individuals.
What guides us
Three things we hold onto.
Compassion
We meet young people and families where they are, without judgement, and take the invisible struggles seriously.
Connection
Loneliness is one of the hardest parts. We build places to belong: groups, classes, families reconnecting.
Action
Real skills, real roles and real support, so differences become strengths that others can see.
How we work
Grassroots by design.
Local and rural
We serve Collingwood and communities throughout Southern Georgian Bay, and focus much of our work in rural and smaller communities where specialized ADHD and Autism support is harder to find.
Volunteer-run
Collide is primarily volunteer-run, so more of our funds go directly back into programs and services.
Affordable
Fees are intentionally kept affordable, with subsidies available where possible.
Open to everyone
Many programs are open to the whole community, while others are designed specifically for neurodivergent youth and their families.
Find your place.
Whether you need support, have a young person searching for their place, or want to volunteer, we invite you to connect with us.