Help Molly’s Reach Retreat Get Up And Running!

Hi buds,

We’re the McNamara’s - Steph, Sean, and our daughter Molly who is on the autism spectrum. Our dream is to open Molly’s Reach Retreat, which will be the first retreat space on the East Coast of Canada that will primarily cater to the neurodivergent community. When we refer to the neurodivergent community in this we are referring to kids who have been diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder; such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or Tourette's syndrome. The Government of Canada states ‘Approximately 1 in 66 children and youth are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Canada’. In Nova Scotia that number is 1 in 34 children. We feel that in this end of the country we need to have a place for neurodivergent children and their caregivers to go to and be completely themselves with other families who just “get it”. We are determined to build a retreat where kids and families can come to recharge, renew and rejuvenate.

Molly’s Reach will be located on beautiful river side land in Big Baddeck, Cape Breton. There are wonderful amenities only minutes away such as Uisge Ban Falls which is a beautiful hiking trail only 4 kms down the road from where Molly’s Reach will be. There is also a well maintained golf course only 2 kms down the road and an incredible music and event centre called ‘The Vicars Venue’ where musicians from all over Canada (and the world!) come to play concerts and shows. Molly’s Reach will also be located only 10 minutes from the village of Baddeck which is a very vibrant and active community in Cape Breton. Baddeck is located right on the Bras d’Or Lakes and there are many opportunities for families visiting Molly’s Reach to enjoy what Baddeck has to offer. Molly’s Reach Retreat will be in an incredible location for neurodivrgent kids and their families to really take advantage of the nature that surrounds this little piece of paradise. With the Cabot Trail only a few kilometres away we hope to be the home base for these families before they set off for all the Cabot Trail adventures waiting down the road, or the laid back pals waiting for the road weary travellers after they’ve seen and done it all!

At Molly’s Reach Retreat our goal is to provide our guests an environment that is personable, supportive, and free of judgement, allowing everyone an equal opportunity to explore, learn, and flourish in their own way on their own time. Our vision is to strengthen our community by helping people uncover the strength in themselves. By helping our friends realize their true potential it’s our hope that they will sow the seeds of optimism, wonder, courage, and determination throughout our province and the wider world.

“By believing in, and becoming the best you, WE become the best US.”

These funds will be dedicated to helping us with early start up and some of the construction costs for our first 2 cabins and related infrastructure.