When I was 16, my world transformed in two profound ways. I became a mother, and I began the journey of raising a child who—like me—experienced the world through a neurodivergent lens. Neither of us knew it then, but we were both autistic, navigating a world that wasn't designed for minds like ours. ## Two Space Cadets Finding Our Way They called me a "space cadet" long before I understood what it meant. Lost in thought, missing social cues, overwhelmed by sensory experiences others barely noticed—I lived in a different orbit from my peers. When my son came along, I recognized familiar patterns in him, though his autism expressed itself differently than mine. He was a bit less on the spectrum than me, but together, we formed our own constellation. What we lacked in traditional guidance, we made up for in understanding. When he couldn't bear the feel of certain fabrics, I didn't need an explanation. When I became overwhelmed in crowded spaces, he instinctively knew...
Get Involved 🚀
Space Cadet Collective is built by and for our community. There are many ways to contribute your time, skills, and lived experience to help us grow.
To make a donation follow this link:
https://buy.stripe.com/5kQaEWdMFdYF8cwfUL3ks01
🌟 Current Opportunities
We're in our early stages and building our volunteer program! Opportunities are opening throughout 2025. Check back or email us to express interest.
Ways to Contribute 💫
✍️
Content Creation
Share your expertise and experience:
- Write guest blog posts
- Create educational resources
- Develop worksheets or guides
- Share personal stories
🤝
Community Support
Help build safe spaces:
- Moderate forums/Discord
- Facilitate support groups
- Welcome new members
- Peer mentorship
🎨
Creative Skills
Use your artistic talents:
- Graphic design
- Social media content
- Video editing
- Illustration
💻
Tech & Web
Help with digital infrastructure:
- Website development
- Accessibility testing
- Database management
- Tech support
📊
Research & Admin
Behind-the-scenes support:
- Fact-checking & research
- Organize resources
- Event planning
- Administrative tasks
📢
Advocacy
Drive systemic change:
- Policy research
- Campaign organizing
- Public speaking
- Coalition building
What to Expect as a Volunteer 🌟
Flexible Commitment
We understand neurodivergent needs vary. Volunteer commitments are flexible—whether you can contribute 1 hour a month or 10 hours a week, we value your time.
Remote Opportunities
Most volunteer roles are fully remote. Work from wherever you're comfortable, on your own schedule.
Training & Support
We provide orientation, training materials, and ongoing support. You won't be left to figure things out alone.
Accommodations Welcomed
Need accommodations? We're here for it. Async communication, written instructions, sensory considerations—just let us know what you need.
✍️ Guest Contributor Guidelines
Want to write for Space Cadet Collective? We welcome guest posts from community members!
What We're Looking For
- Personal stories about neurodivergence, trauma, recovery
- Educational content grounded in lived experience
- Practical tips and strategies
- Analysis of systems and advocacy
- Resource reviews and recommendations
Submission Process
Email hello@spacecadetcollective.org with "Guest Post Pitch" in the subject line. Include:
- Brief bio (2-3 sentences)
- Article topic and outline
- Why this topic matters to you
- Estimated word count (800-2000 words typical)
🤝 Partnership Opportunities
We're open to collaborating with organizations that share our values:
- Neurodiversity Organizations: Joint advocacy, resource sharing, event collaboration
- Mental Health Services: Provider directories, referral networks
- Recovery Programs: ND-affirming treatment options, harm reduction partnerships
- Educational Institutions: Training, research collaborations
- Media Outlets: Guest appearances, expert commentary
Email hello@spacecadetcollective.org with "Partnership Inquiry" to start a conversation.
⚠️ Important Notes
Volunteer Positions (Not Paid)
Currently, all positions are volunteer. We hope to offer paid positions in the future as we grow. Guest contributors retain rights to their work but are not compensated at this time.
Early Stage Organization
We're building this from the ground up! Processes may be informal, roles may evolve, and we're learning as we go. If you're comfortable with some ambiguity and excited about creating something new, you'll fit right in.
Ready to Join the Mission? 🚀
Whether you have 1 hour a month or want to dive in deep, we'd love to hear from you!
Express InterestInclude which area interests you most and your availability. We'll be in touch!
Comments
Post a Comment
🚀 Drop your comment, encouragement, question, or cosmic insight below! We love hearing from you. This is a neurodivergent and trauma-informed space—please be respectful and compassionate to everyone in our community, including yourself.
If your comment includes sensitive details, remember this is a public community. For private support, please use our contact form.
🌈 All identities, lived experiences, and recovery journeys are welcome! Hateful, discriminatory, or triggering comments (including explicit violence or slurs) will be removed—trolls get beamed to another galaxy.
If you’re in crisis, visit our Crisis Resources page for immediate support.