3 Photos of a friend and ally of ABLE2, ABLE2 logo in white and text under it saying "moments"

ABLE2 Moments September 2024

FASD Awareness Month: FASD and Criminal Justice

Image from the FASD Awareness Walk in 2022. Text displayed: September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or F.A.S.D. Awareness Month

"These individuals often face unique challenges, including navigating systems like the criminal justice system. Without appropriate support and early interventions, individuals with FASD are at an increased risk of encountering the justice system— a reality that demands action from leaders across sectors."


ABLE2 Executive Director Heather Lacey shares her insights on FASD and Justice in her latest ED blog here.

Empowering Lives Together: Working Together to Drive Change

ABLE2 Staff and Board Members Frank McNally, Randy Slepchik, Thony Jean-Baptiste, Claire Smith, Tanya Singhal, Heather Lacey, Adrian Raghunandan, Nick Korpikoski, Rick Burns, Viji Sundaram

In September, ABLE2’s Board of Directors convened for a welcome session to discuss their roles for the upcoming year. Led by newly appointed Chair Adrian Raghunandan, the board covered strategic priorities, financial oversight, and fundraising initiatives. Board member Rick Burns writes about how you can "be a champion and advocate of ABLE2’s mission in your everyday lives."


Read more here.

ABLE2 at Red Shoes Rock Ottawa

ABLE2 Director of Programs Thony Jean-Baptiste at the Red Shoes Rock Ottawa F.A.S.D. Awareness Day event at Brittannia Beach on September 8,

ABLE2's Director of Programs, Thony Jean-Baptiste, was one of the Human Library stars at the Red Shoes Rock Ottawa FASD Awareness Day event, on September 8 at the Ron Kolbus Centre in Britannia Beach.


Congratulations to Health Nexus and FASD/TSAF Ontario for hosting the successful event! Thank you for inviting ABLE2 to be a part of it, and for organizing this important initiative in raising awareness and educating the community about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)!

A Wrap-Around Blanket of Support for Michael and his Family

Mom embracing a child, both are wearing red at the FASD Awareness Walk

“I don’t know what we would have done without the ABLE2 team. Our family moved from a very isolating time to feeling we belong to a caring community. I don’t know how we would have managed through the pandemic without this support. It was our lifeline.” - Parent of youth with FASD


Read more about Michael's story here.

Thank you Blachford Tax Law!

Participants in the Blachford Tax Law Charity Game held at the RA Centre on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 in support of ABLE2: Support for People with Disabilities, and the Youth Services Bureau Foundation. Photo by Matt Stewart/Matt Stewart Photos.

Participants in the Blachford Tax Law Charity Game held at the RA Centre on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 in support of ABLE2: Support for People with Disabilities, and the Youth Services Bureau Foundation. Photo by Matt Stewart/Matt Stewart Photos.


BIG THANK YOU to Blachford Tax Law for hosting its annual Blachford Tax Law Charity Game in support of ABLE2 and Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa! Thank you to everyone who played and supported this event, we appreciate your commitment to building stronger and healthier communities!


Thank you for empowering people with disabilities to build lives of meaning and joy! 💙


Read more about it from Ottawa Business Journal's Caroline Phillips here.

Thank you 100 Women+ Who Care Ottawa!

ABLE2 Executive Director Heather Lacey at the 100 Women+ Who Care Ottawa event last September 9 at Milestones restaurant. Photographed with the 100 Women+ Who Care Ottawa, Ottawa Humane Society and Ottawa First Responders Foundation representatives.

ABLE2, alongside Ottawa Humane Society and Ottawa First Responders Foundation, were invited to speak at the 100 Women+ Who Care Ottawa event, to share why your support matters. 


Thank you to members Kathy Lee anad Elizabeth MacLeod for nominating ABLE2, the incredible organizers for putting on such an amazing and energetic event, and the dedicated team behind 100 Women+ Who Care Ottawa for their commitment to building stronger and healthier communities!


And thank you to the donors and supporters for empowering people with disabilities to build lives of meaning and joy! 

Volunteer Corner

Arne, ABLE2's longest serving volunteer

"Their friendship started with a simple offer: 'You can call me anytime you need to talk,' Arne told Norman. It was an open invitation that laid the foundation for a bond built on trust and understanding. Through the years, Arne offered much more than friendship; he opened the door for Norm to engage in the community, create connections and relationships, and embrace life beyond the confines of his home."


Read more about Arne, ABLE2's longest serving volunteer!

An ally and a person with a disability taking a selfie. Text displayed "Ever thought you could volunteer by just doing what friends do? Volunteer and change someone's life by being a friend to a person with a disability in the community"

Do you have an hour or two every week to spend time with a person with a disability? Become an Ally like Arne with ABLE2's Matching Program!


Make a real difference in your community by volunteering, and reduce loneliness and isolation one person at a time.


Learn more about volunteering with the Matching Program here.

Save the date! Holiday Dinner & Dance is on December 8!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Hold the date! ABLE2's Annual Holiday Dinner and Dance is on December 8th, at the Hellenic Event Centre! We can't wait to jingle and mingle with you! More information to come. Graphic contains snowflakes and Christmas ornaments against a blue and white faded background

Are you interested in volunteering your skills, offering entertainment, or helping us plan the event? Do you have a fabulous prize to donate to our raffle? Or would you like to partner with ABLE2 in this event as a sponsor?


Reach out to us at events@able2.org

Resources

Graphic of several individuals of different occupations, text displayed "September is F.A.S.D. Awareness Month. Everyone Plays a Part."

Educate yourself about FASD! Canada FASD Research Network undertakes, coordinates and facilitates FASD research that is meaningful and applicable to families, governments, service providers and stakeholders.


Visit the Can FASD website here for more resources for caregivers, families and professionals.

Thank you to our supporters!

Sequence Marketing logo
Hydro One logo
Government of Canada logo with text displayed: Funded by the Government of Canada's Community Services Recovery Fund
Text displayed: Community Services Recovery Fund with logos of the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada
Enbridge logo
100 Women+ Who Care Ottawa logo
Lumentum logo


Princess Warrior Charitable Fund – Ottawa Community Foundation


Harry E. Foster Charitable Foundation

Do you have any concerns or questions about ABLE2's programs or services?


We have an external feedback and concerns resolution policy and procedure in place.

Get in touch with us
ABLE 2 Celebrating 50 Years Logo

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