Jan. 15—BEMIDJI — Less than a year after its formation, Bemidji-based nonprofit Lead for Inclusion is partnering with other organizations to enhance its impact throughout the community.
A youth-led group, Lead for Inclusion
operates with a particular focus on inclusive youth development. Supported by a fellowship from the Initiative Foundation and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Lead for Inclusion encompasses three areas of focus: leadership and job skills development, community advocacy and outreach, and inclusive social activities.
“We’re working on increasing accessibility and belonging specifically for folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” founder Shannon Murray said. “We have a youth board — 14- to 24-year-olds — both with and without disabilities, working together to plan events and have a vision.”
One such event was on full display at Bemidji Bowl on Monday as members gathered for the first of several bowling socials planned in conjunction with the Bemidji chapter of MNeurodivergent, a group that incorporated in August 2024.
“We provide social opportunities for neurodivergent people and it’s a group run by neurodivergent people,” Regional Event Coordinator Madeleine Smith said. “We’re focused on building a community and reducing the social isolation that’s more prominent for a lot of neurodivergent people.”
In addition to its Bemidji branch, MNeurodivergent operates active communities in the Twin Cities, Rochester, Duluth and St. Cloud. Per its mission statement, the organization aims to reduce isolation by creating welcoming spaces that support neurodiverse people to make meaningful connections with others.
Given their similarities, Murray found it serendipitous that the two groups would begin collaborating to host events and grow their respective memberships.
“I had seen (MNeurodivergent’s) events and knew they were in the community,” Murray said. “Maddie and I connected, and it just made a lot of sense to partner up and bring our groups together.”
For those involved with the two groups, Monday’s event — alongside a host of other programming — provided a chance to forge a community with those with similar experiences.
Donning her bowling shoes, Kendra Rutledge became involved with MNeurodivergent as soon as she heard the news of its formation.
“I had been wanting to make friends who understand me more as it’s nice to have people who understand and support you,” Rutledge said. “My favorite part of being involved is getting to meet these people and spread the word that we’re here and we are capable.”
Rutledge plans to maintain her involvement moving forward into 2025 and noted potential plans to plant a community garden as part of MNeurodivergent’s programming. Among its current programming, the group hosts two to four events each month ranging from board game meet-ups to hikes to outings at local establishments and events.
“A lot of neurodivergent people tend to connect through shared interests,” Smith added. “A lot of us have very passionate interests in things, so we try to do a variety of different events so that there’s something that interests everyone. Not every event is going to work for every person, so it’s good to have that variety so everyone can feel like they’re included.”
Also in the works is a leadership summit planned for March where Lead for Inclusion members will teach other youth necessary leadership skills and make connections. Such connections, particularly in rural areas, underscore the importance of MNeurodivergent and Lead for Inclusion in Bemidji.
“In a lot of ways, especially after the pandemic, we’re not as close and connected as we should be,” Murray said, “so intentionally creating these spaces is really important.”
Smith shared similar sentiments as she hopes to create inclusive spaces alongside Lead for Inclusion.
“A lot of times, neurodivergent people can feel like they’re the odd ones out or there’s something wrong with them when that’s not the case,” Smith left off. “Whenever you get together with people who are more similar to you — have similar ways of thinking and understand your experience — it makes you feel like you can start to accept yourself.”