FASD Awareness Month: FASD and Criminal Justice

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'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)!

“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.

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.

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! 

"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!

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.

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.

• Free Community Dental Screenings throughout September - Ottawa Public Health
• 2SLGBTQIA+ Programs and Services for 50+ - The Good Companions
• 2024-2025 Dates for the Dovercourt Inclusive Dances for 16+ - Dovercourt Recreation Centre
• Foundational Areas for School Success - Autism Ontario

Princess Warrior Charitable Fund – Ottawa Community Foundation

Harry E. Foster Charitable Foundation

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