VANCOUVER — April 23, 2026 — As families across British Columbia continue to search for meaningful, effective support for neurodivergent learners, a Vancouver-based organization is bringing the community together for an event that is both symbolic and impactful.
With the Grouse Grind reopening for the season this week, Learn. Develop. Succeed. is inviting the public to take part in a climb with purpose. The second annual RISE to the Top event at Grouse Mountain invites participants to hike, run, or take the gondola up to support accessible, individualized learning for children and youth with diagnoses such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and more.
Building on the success of its inaugural event, which drew hundreds of participants and raised significant funds for bursaries, this year’s event continues to grow in both scale and meaning.
For many participants, RISE to the Top is more than a physical challenge; it’s a reflection of the daily journey neurodivergent learners face.
“My favourite part of the event was realizing the meaning behind the hike halfway up—the perseverance and grit and fatigue and struggle it takes to reach your goals when you are neurodiverse. And the pride that is felt when you reach that goal,” shared one 2025 participant.
Another participant described the event as uniquely powerful:
“I joined many charity events in the past—this one was the best I’ve ever seen. Thank you to everyone who made it happen.”
At the summit, participants gather for a mountaintop celebration featuring a Neurodivergent Wellness Fair, community partners, and opportunities to connect with families, educators, and advocates working toward more inclusive education.
Funds raised through RISE to the Top directly support the Bright Futures Bursary Fund, which helps families access specialized educational support that would otherwise be out of reach.
For many families, that support is transformative.
“Learn. Develop. Succeed. has been a big part of our family for the past few years. We have four children, and it is extremely challenging to make ends meet. Thanks to them, we are able to get the support that three of our children need,” shared one parent.
“There is no way we would be able to afford the special instruction our kids receive without their support. We have seen great progress in all of them, and we owe them tremendously.”
As awareness of neurodiversity continues to grow, so does the need for education systems and supports that meet learners where they are. Learn. Develop. Succeed., a Vancouver-based, research-driven organization, is helping lead that shift, offering individualized, neuroaffirming programs for learners aged 3 through adulthood.
“Across Canada, we’re seeing more families searching for support that simply doesn’t exist within traditional systems,” said Rachel Forbes, Executive Director of Learn. Develop. Succeed.
“There’s a growing gap between what neurodivergent learners need and what they’re able to access. We’re working to close that gap by combining research, technology, and individualized teaching to create learning environments where students can truly succeed. Events like RISE to the Top are critical because they help us expand that access to families who would otherwise be left without support.”
RISE to the Top reflects this broader movement, one that recognizes that with the right support, every learner can thrive.
What: RISE to the Top 2026 (hosted by Vancouver personality Fred Lee, @fredabouttown); event buff designed by local artists Carson Ting (@chairman_ting), Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Artist representing Canada, and Annika McFarlane (@annikamcfarlane)
When: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Where: Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver
Who: Open to individuals, families, teams, and community supporters of all abilities
Participants can register or donate at:
https://rise-to-the-top-2026-learn-develop-succeed.raiselysite.com/
Learn. Develop. Succeed. is a BC-based, research-driven organization dedicated to providing inclusive, individualized education for neurodivergent learners. Through innovative programming, assessments, and community initiatives, they empower learners of all ages to build confidence, independence, and lifelong success. Visit ldsociety.ca.
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Rachel S. Forbes, Executive Director
W: 604.873.8139 M: 236.877.6395
Rachel@ldsociety.ca | ldsociety.ca
Sara Jane R. Walker, Senior Manager, Communications
W: 604.873.8139 M: 236.877.6892
sarajane@ldsociety.ca | ldsociety.ca
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