about

Helping create inclusive and accessible communities.

Between Friends is a nonprofit in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in social and recreational activities in their community. For over 40 years, we have been creating safe, inclusive, and accessible programs for people of all ages and abilities.
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Supporting our community

Our Inclusion Services

As we look ahead, our goal extends beyond offering inclusive programs. We aspire to support our community in their journey toward inclusion, creating more spaces where everyone can connect, grow, and belong.

To achieve this, we've launched our
Inclusion Services Team.

Our team provides training, support, and resources to anyone interested in learning more about inclusion and accessibility.

We Offer...

01

Online Learning
For individual learners & teams |
Self-paced modules and courses. 

02

Group Workshops
For teams |
In-person and virtual training workshops designed for groups and teams.

03

Your Inclusion Blueprint
For teams |
Customized training, reviews, and support for your team.
TEAM

Meet Our Inclusion Services Team!

Advisor, Inclusion Services

Lucy Diep

Pronouns: She/Her
Values: Growth, Trustworthiness, Thoughtfulness, Enjoyment, Kindness
Educational Background: Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies
Meet our Inclusion Advisor, Lucy, a skilled professional with a Masters in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies. Lucy has an impressive 15 years of experience working with individuals of all abilities.

Lucy brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by people with disabilities. Lucy is also dedicated to learning, both for herself and the individuals she works with. This ensures that our training programs are always evolving to meet the changing landscape of inclusion.

Lucy’s strengths include intentionality and being detail orientated. Lucy ensures that every training session addresses the complex needs and perspectives of our trainees. Her intentionality and passion for what she does brings an enjoyment to the learning process. Lucy makes the journey towards inclusion not only informative but also engaging and fulfilling.

Advisor, Inclusion Services

Cienna Nesdoly

Pronouns: She/Her
Values: Kindness, Candor, Thoughtfulness, Curiosity, Vision
Educational Background: Public Health
Meet Cienna, our Inclusion Advisor at Between Friends. With nearly a decade of experience in people management and operations, Cienna excels in cultivating positive workplace cultures and fostering inclusive teams.

Her commitment to creating environments where every team member feels heard and valued is evident in her expertise in transforming workplace dynamics. Cienna is not only skilled in collaboration but also in ensuring teams thrive in an atmosphere of inclusiveness and shared values. Her enthusiasm for positive change shines through her ability to orchestrate diverse and collaborative teams, turning workplaces into spaces where all staff feel like integral contributors to a shared success story.

In addition to her people skills, Cienna stands out in problem-solving and strategic planning. With a passion for crafting and executing comprehensive plans, she translates visions into tangible actions for teams to implement. Her training skills reflect her commitment to ensuring that initiatives not only convey the "what" and "how" but also emphasize the crucial "why." Cienna excels at crafting training programs that educate and actively engage participants, inspiring them to take meaningful actions.

Trainer, Inclusion Services

Brent Saccucci

Pronouns: He/They/She
Values: Play, Curiosity, and Failing to Learn
Educational Background: Curriculum and Pedagogy
Meet Brent, our Inclusion Services Trainer at Between Friends.

Brent Saccucci is an educator working across K-12, community, and higher education settings teaching to empower learners in inclusion and communication. Brent is a certified teacher in the province of Alberta and holds a BEd and MEd from the University of Alberta, as well as an MA in Education from OISE at the University of Toronto where he was Canada Graduate Scholar in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching, & Learning.

For over 10 years, Brent has taught all types of learners from Kindergarten in rural Alberta to graduate education students at UBC. He finds joy in any learning environment helping students of all ages unlock their potential.