October is Community Inclusion Month in Kelowna and it began with the 11th annual Inclusion Chain on Friday, Oct. 4.

Hosted by local non-profit organization Pathways, the Inclusion Chain brings the community together to promote people with diversabilities. 

"Today is an important day for Pathways and for individuals with diversabilites in our community," said Pathways Adam Less.  "It's an opportunity for us really to illustrate the diversity of our community and the important of inclusion."

Less has been with Pathways for 13 years now and was one of the many people to start the inclusion chain 11 years ago.

"We were looking for a way to demonstrate inclusion and diversity in the community," said Less. "It's a way to kind of illustrate the differences between people and how important it is that all those people are valued, no matter what they're differences are, no matter who they are."

The event, which more than 100 people attended, took place in front of City Hall and part of the festivities was the Inclusion Month proclamation, which was read by Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas. 

"City council, Mayor Dyas and prior councils before them have been so supportive of our efforts and it's extremely important, not just to the individuals who are here, because to see them and see their city actually support and endorse and advocate who they are and what they're doing in the community, but also for the community to see that our city stands behind inclusion," said Less. "It means the world to our organization."

Pathways provides services for people with diversabilites in the community, from activities to employment, supporting their needs and creating an inclusive environment.

"When you see the people out here today, you realize that these are members of the community just like you and I," added Less. "They work in the community, they have homes in the community, they shop in the community."

After the chain, everyone went to Pathways locations at 123 Franklyn Road for food, drinks, karaoke, gift basket draws, and more.