A Quebec organization has just received a major boost from the Autist & Major Foundation to allow autistic people to flourish in socio-professional activities, a cause dear to the eyes of star host Charles Lafortune.
He and his wife Sophie Prégent are the parents of Mathis, a 21-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder. Over the years, they have been able to observe the absence of services for families and children, particularly when they reach adulthood.
Three years ago, they decided to create their foundation to improve the quality of life and the integration of young people with autism into society by financing programs. Yesterday, they announced through the Foundation a donation of $250,000 to Integration TSA.
“This is our largest one-time donation to date. Last year, we distributed $500,000 and this year, we have a goal of $700,000,” said Charles Lafortune, vice-president of the Autistic & Major Foundation.
“With the Foundation, we want to encourage this type of initiative and highlight the diverse skills and competencies of autistic adults,” he added.
Dragonfly Project
The Libellule project, which will start in 2023, is an initiative of Integration TSA. This Quebec organization already offers a training course for autistic adults aged 21 and more than 3200 hours.
By creating the Libellule project, this will give young people with autism the opportunity to fulfill themselves in a work context.
Mathis’ experience
Charles Lafortune shared that Mathis helps out at Welcome Hall Mission in Montreal two days a week by performing various tasks.
“He is good at doing manual and repetitive work. For him, it is very reassuring. When he arrives home, he sleeps well at night,” says his dad.
This experience allows Mathis and his parents to discover more about himself, his tastes, what he likes to do and what he doesn’t, and this has a positive impact on his life.
Currently, 26 people are taking the 3,200 hour TSA Integration training and ten others have completed it. They have been awarded the title of “exceptional workers”.
“We decided to go further, because we always came back to the same observations. After 3200 hours there was still a service hole. This is why we decided to set up the Libellule project,” explained Julie Lahaye, General Manager Integration TSA.
The contribution of the Autistic & Major Foundation is part of a vast $2 million fundraising campaign.
“We must acquire new premises to be able to offer a workshop five days a week,” added Ms. Lahaye.
Integration TSA would eventually like to make this project, which also includes an in-company option, available in other regions of Quebec.
Photo Stevens LeBlanc
From left to right, Johanne de Blois, Chair of the Board of Directors of Integration TSA (ITSA), Valérie Lavoie, President and Chief Operating Officer Desjardins General Insurance Group and Chair of the ITSA fundraising campaign, and Anne-Marie Day, Executive Director of the Autistic & Major Foundation, at the presentation of the check for $250,000 Thursday morning in Quebec City.
Some Donations Confirmed So Far
- Autistic & Adult Foundation: $250,000
- Desjardins Group: $100,000
- Mirella and Lino Saputo Foundation: $100,000