Inclusion Festival

Max Higbee Center is contributing to the Inclusion Festival by partnering with Dana to host a lively and welcoming silent disco, creating an accessible, sensory-friendly space where participants can move, dance, and connect in their own way. In addition, they are supporting the festival’s cornhole games, helping ensure that this classic, low‑barrier activity is inclusive, fun, and accessible for all our attendees!

About Max Higbee Center

Max Higbee Center is a nonprofit in Bellingham, WA that provides community-based recreation programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities, supporting social connection, personal growth, independence, and joy through inclusive leisure activities.

Founded by educators and families advocating for meaningful recreation opportunities, the organization offers weekday and weekend programs, community outings, arts, sports, cooking, and more, all designed to foster friendship, skill-building, and greater community engagement. [maxhigbeecenter.org]

Habitat for Humanity will bring hands-on creativity to the Inclusion Festival with an engaging “Building Booth” featuring LEGO and DUPLO bricks. Their space invites participants of all ages and abilities to explore construction play, teamwork, and imaginative problem-solving in a low‑pressure, highly accessible way.

About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit organization that brings people together to build safe, decent, and affordable housing for families in need. Founded in 1976, the organization works alongside community volunteers and partner families to construct and repair homes, promote affordable housing, and strengthen local communities.

Driven by the belief that everyone deserves a stable place to live, Habitat operates through volunteer labor, donated materials, and affordable or no‑interest homeownership models that empower families to build long‑term stability and independence. [habitat.org]

Cascade Connections will bring their energetic Hamster Walk‑N‑Rollathon to the Inclusion Festival, inviting participants to join in movement, fun, and community spirit. Their presence helps highlight accessibility, empowerment, and shared celebration through a playful, activity‑centered experience.

About Cascade Connections

Cascade Connections is a nonprofit organization in Whatcom County that has supported people with disabilities for more than 40 years, offering residential, vocational, home care, supported living, and training services designed to promote independence, inclusion, and quality of life.

The organization began by serving a small group of adults with developmental disabilities and has since grown to assist hundreds of individuals through specially designed programs, including supported living, group home care, vocational services, and employment support.

Rooted in the mission to empower people with disabilities to enhance their quality of life, Cascade Connections partners with community businesses, provides job training, facilitates supported employment, and helps individuals thrive in inclusive community settings. [cascadecon...ctions.org]

Summit Assistance Dogs is enriching the Inclusion Festival by bringing their highly trained assistance dogs and expert handlers for an engaging, educational demonstration that highlights the power of partnership between people and service animals. Attendees will have the chance to watch the dogs perform real‑world skills, learn how assistance dogs support greater independence for people with disabilities, and interact with Summit’s team at their booth for Q&A opportunities, and hands‑on accessibility tools. Their presence adds both warmth and awareness to the festival, inviting attendees to better understand the role of service animals in building inclusive communities.

About Summit Assistance Dogs

Summit Assistance Dogs is a nonprofit organization in Washington State dedicated to creating life‑changing partnerships by providing highly skilled mobility service dogs for people living with disabilities. They focus on increasing independence, confidence, and quality of life through carefully trained dogs that assist with tasks such as retrieving items, opening doors, providing balance support, and more.

Founded on the belief that everyone deserves access to greater autonomy, Summit pairs individuals with dogs trained for over two years in advanced obedience, task work, and public access skills. In addition to empowering clients, Summit also invests in community education, volunteer puppy raising, and outreach programs that strengthen awareness around disability inclusion and service dog etiquette.

Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County is bringing creativity, collaboration, and hands‑on fun to the Inclusion Festival with an interactive LEGO and DUPLO building booth. Attendees of all ages and abilities are invited to explore accessible building stations where they can design tiny homes, dream‑up inclusive neighborhoods, and experiment with colorful structures. Habitat’s team will be onsite to facilitate play, answer questions about affordable housing, and share how community involvement helps build strength, stability, and a sense of belonging for local families. Their booth offers a low‑pressure, high‑imagination activity that encourages problem‑solving, teamwork, and joyful participation.

About Habitat for Humanity Whatcom County

Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County is a nonprofit housing organization working to build and preserve affordable homes for families across the region. Through volunteer labor, community partnerships, and sustainable building practices, Habitat creates opportunities for homeownership for individuals and families who are working toward stability and self‑reliance.

The organization supports its mission through homebuilding, critical home repairs, financial education, and its Bellingham Habitat Store, which funds local projects while reducing waste through donated goods. With an emphasis on inclusion and community empowerment, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, relationships, and brighter futures.

Make.Shift is bringing creative energy and authentic community storytelling to the Inclusion Festival through live radio broadcasting powered by KZAX 94.9 FM, their freeform community radio station. Attendees can stop by their booth to learn how local radio is made, meet volunteer DJs and creatives, and catch live interviews, festival highlights, and on‑the‑ground audio moments as they happen. Make.Shift will also offer an additional hands‑on activity (TBD), adding even more opportunities for artistic engagement and playful exploration throughout the day. Their presence brings a uniquely Bellingham blend of DIY spirit, creativity, and inclusivity to the festival atmosphere.

About Make.Shift

Make.Shift Art Space is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Bellingham dedicated to empowering, supporting, and creating opportunities for local artists and musicians. They operate an all‑ages art gallery and music venue, offer affordable art studios and band practice spaces, and run KZAX 94.9 FM, a low‑power community radio station that broadcasts local bands, independent music, and diverse community‑created content.

Founded with the goal of building a supportive network for local musicians, Make.Shift now serves communities across Whatcom and Skagit Counties by prioritizing emerging, marginalized, and underrepresented creatives. Through workshops, exhibitions, performances, and radio programming, Make.Shift cultivates accessible spaces where creativity thrives and everyone, especially the wonderfully weird, is welcome.

NW Foam Factory brings high-energy foam parties to community events, schools, and celebrations across Whatcom and Skagit County. Our cannons create giant piles of foam shooting up to 30 feet, delivering unforgettable fun for all ages. Our foam is non-toxic, biodegradable, and hypoallergenic, and as a certified autism resource, we’re committed to creating inclusive, sensory-friendly experiences for everyone.