admin_bmedia@able2, Author at ABLE2

How inclusive volunteerism builds stronger communities

National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate and ignite the heartbeat of the communities: volunteers. As Volunteer Canada’s theme reminds us this year, igniting volunteers is more than appreciation, but about fueling purpose, connection, and impact. They do more than fill the gaps where small organizations like ours are limited. Volunteers bring specialized skills, deep commitment, and authentic community connection, often providing support that paid staff alone cannot. They are dedicated individuals investing their most valuable resources—time, skills, energies—into work they believe matters.

But as we celebrate volunteers, appreciation alone isn’t enough. The thank-you notes and recognition events are well-intentioned, but volunteers deserve to be treated as strategic partners in an organization’s mission. They deserve meaningful, accessible, and well-designed volunteer experiences that reflect the value of what they contribute to the people and communities we serve, and treating them with the same respect we give paid work.

At ABLE2, more than 500 volunteers contribute up to 16,000 hours each year. They provide critical legal services and resources through the Reach Legal Referral Services. They build genuine friendships as Allies in our Matching Program. They help bring community together through events like Evening in the Maritimes, the Annual Picnic, and the Holiday Dinner & Dance. Their contributions are vital to bring our vision to reality—an inclusive community where every person, regardless of ability, is seen as able, important, and valued.

Over time, we’ve learned what moves people from ‘helping out when they can’ to becoming deeply engaged advocates, ambassadors, and champions of inclusion. The difference is not gratitude. Its intention.

Meaningful volunteerism begins with growth and purpose. Instead of asking ‘how can you help us?’, we must ask, ‘how can we create environments where your skills, talents, and lived experience can flourish?’ Our most engaged volunteers are those who are given opportunities to learn, to lead, and to connect. They want to do more than just clock in hours; they want belonging. When that happens, organizations benefit from deeper commitment, greater impact, and stronger community ties.

Meaningful volunteer engagement also requires intentional recognition. Not just certificates or tokens of appreciation (which are great gestures nevertheless), but real integration into the work, valuing expertise, respecting their perspectives, and supporting them where they need it. Setting volunteers up for success and allowing them to lead where their contributions are most meaningful has far greater impact than any formal recognition alone.

Most importantly, meaningful volunteer experiences must be accessible from the start. Volunteers bring different abilities, schedules, communication styles, identities, and needs. Inclusive volunteerism means building flexibility into roles, not treating the accessibility as an add-on. This is where many organizations, including ours at times, must continue to push ourselves.

Some of the most impactful volunteers in our community are people with lived experience of disability. They bring insight, empathy, and understanding that cannot be taught. Yet rigid expectations, inaccessible processes, and unfounded assumptions too often exclude them. People with disabilities are not only recipients of services, but are contributors, leaders, and changemakers.

Organizations that invest properly in volunteer engagement, through accessibility, training, meaningful roles, and genuine appreciation, gain far more than just getting the work done. They gain diverse perspectives that strengthen the mission, ambassadors who advocate in the community, increased trust and credibility, and resilient volunteer networks.

This kind of engagement requires resources. Volunteer coordination takes time. Thoughtful role design takes planning. Accessibility requires planning. Recognition must be ongoing and sincere. But the return of investment is undeniable.

Volunteerism should never be about extracting time or labour. It should be about building community—creating spaces where people can contribute their skills, feel connected to something bigger, and know their efforts matter.

ABLE2 has intentionally invested in its volunteer program because we believe our volunteers are not helpers on the sidelines, but strategic partners at the heart of our mission. Their time changes lives, and their commitment helps build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Inclusion must be imbedded in how volunteer opportunities are designed and led. That means:

Designing flexible roles that meet people where they are, rather than expecting them to fit a mould

Defining clear expectations and meaningful work that connects individual contributions to real impact
Recognizing contributions in ways that are genuine and personal, not transactional or performative
Creating pathways for volunteers to grow, lead, and shape the work itself, not just support it

Because when leaders intentionally build volunteer experiences with care and inclusion, volunteers don’t simply fill gaps, but deepen impact, strengthen culture, and help organizations thrive.

This National Volunteer Week, let’s take the call to ignite volunteers to heart. Not through words alone, but through the intentional choices we make as leaders: how we design roles, remove barriers, recognize contributions, and create space for people to belong and lead. When volunteer experiences are accessible, meaningful, and inclusive, everyone has the opportunity to give and to grow.

I’d love to learn from this community: What does truly meaningful volunteer engagement look like in your organization, and what’s one barrier you’re still working to remove?

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director

Read Heather’s other articles here

Meet Cameo, ABLE2’s Volunteer Coordinator

“I write a lot of emails,” Cameo says, half-joking. But more than responding to enquiries, developing resources, and streamlining processes, Cameo has been steadily reshaping what volunteer engagement looks like at ABLE2.

Since joining ABLE2 in March of 2025, Cameo stepped into the role of Volunteer Coordinator, supporting volunteers in building meaningful, accessible, and lasting connections with people with disabilities. On any given day, that might mean coordinating onboarding schedules, recruiting and screening volunteers, updating policies, creating resources, tracking participation, and yes, responding to a lot of emails. While the work is multifaceted, it reflects a thread in Cameo’s career—a passion for structure, people, and values.

Before ABLE2, Cameo worked in volunteer and community-focused roles at organizations such as LGBT YouthLine in Toronto and North West Community Health Centres in Thunder Bay. They supported youth leadership initiatives, facilitated programs for gender-diverse youth and adults, and worked directly alongside volunteers in multiple capacities.

“The Venn diagram of volunteering and my work has always overlapped,” Cameo explains. “They’ve never been two separate circles.”

That overlap is what drew them to ABLE2. When asked why they applied, Cameo’s answer is simple: “I look for values-aligned work first. That’s what brought me here.”

For Cameo, volunteering isn’t about utilizing people’s time or labour, but about building reciprocal relationships. “It’s not about what they can do for us, but how we can create meaningful opportunities with them,” says Cameo.

That philosophy has already translated into measurable impact. Since Cameo started working with ABLE2, volunteer onboarding for programs like the Matching Program has increased significantly, helping reduce waitlists by 26%, and expanding support for people in the community who have been waiting for years. In 2025 alone, more than 400 volunteers contributed 15,000 hours to ABLE2—a culmination of the stronger follow-through and clearer pathways Cameo has built, ensuring more volunteers move successfully through the process and into meaningful roles.

Still, for Cameo, the numbers tell only part of the story. What they find most rewarding is witnessing connection in action. “Seeing how volunteers, through their own free choice, can make a meaningful impact on someone’s life, or even just on an organization or a community.”

One moment that stands out for Cameo happened during Capital PRIDE in August 2025, when volunteers, some of whom also live with disabilities, were able to re-engage in volunteering for the first time in a long while.

“People want to contribute regardless of ability. It’s about figuring out how to tailor volunteer experiences so they’re accessible for people of all abilities,” Cameo reflects.

Looking ahead, Cameo’s goals remain rooted in the same values that brought them to ABLE2 in the first place—ensuring volunteers and service users alike receive the support they need to thrive.

When asked why the community should support ABLE2, Cameo puts it this way:

“ABLE2 brings together people who might never otherwise meet. It creates meaningful connections that benefit everyone involved— people with disabilities, volunteers, and the broader community. That kind of impact matters.”

Outside of work, Cameo describes themselves as someone who loves their cat, enjoys embroidery, and brings a healthy dose of chaotic energy to everything they do.

Cameo isn’t one to step in front of the camera, but their work speaks volumes. You’re more likely to find them behind the scenes, making sure each volunteer’s experience is rewarding, empowering, and rooted in connection. That steady dedication is what strengthens ABLE2’s programs and deepens the sense of community across the organization.

In lifting others, Cameo continues to move ABLE2 forward.

Celebrating Kathleen, ABLE2’s Executive Assistant

After six years as the backbone of ABLE2’s operations, Executive Assistant Kathleen is hanging up her hat (or many hats) for retirement, leaving behind a legacy as impactful and capable as she is.

Before ABLE2, Kathleen built a successful career in corporate IT, moving from programmer to project manager roles across the high-tech sector. However, the pressure, resistance to change, and the relentless pace had taken a toll on her. She yearned for something more meaningful. After connecting with a career counsellor, the opportunity at ABLE2 presented itself. A small team with a powerful mission and an opportunity to make a real difference— “It was exactly what I was looking for,” she reflects.

She joined ABLE2 in January 2020, welcomed by a team full of warmth and passion, a world away from anything she’d experienced in corporate life. Then, within weeks, a global pandemic ensued. Rather than letting the chaos derail momentum, Kathleen leaned in. She helped staff navigate the technologies of remote work, supported people through the uncertainties, and ensured that the rhythm of work continued even as the world seemed unpredictable. “Helping people continue to do their jobs and keeping us all connected—it jump-started my involvement with staff.” It was a difficult transition, but Kathleen helped set the tone for everything that followed.

Over the next six years, Kathleen’s talent for practical problem-solving became indispensable. She took on major undertakings, including digitizing a completely paper-based HR system, leading three big office clean-ups, and overseeing the recent move out of the office space ABLE2 had called home for 30 years. These were no small feats, and each one left the organization more efficient, more adaptable to modernization, and more resilient.

But beyond these projects, Kathleen is most often working hard behind the scenes, ensuring meetings run smoothly, keeping records accurate and accessible, supporting leadership, and always open to answering the steady stream of questions that arrive in her inbox. Most of all, Kathleen has scaffolded the environment where everyone could do their best work, and its impact was felt by every staff member, volunteer, donor, and person ABLE2 supports.

Among her most treasured memories are ABLE2’s events for the community, particularly the Annual Picnic. “It’s wonderful to see how much people look forward to the social interaction,” she says. One year, a picnic attendee was hoping to hear their favourite song Dancing Queen by ABBA—Kathleen made it happen, and it made someone’s day. It was a small gesture, but one that reminded her of how simple actions can have a significant impact.

This reflects her belief about why supporting ABLE2 matters. “ABLE2 provides a means for anyone to participate in their community. It’s something we don’t think about too much or often take for granted. People with disabilities face many barriers, and ABLE2 gives people the freedom and confidence to participate in the community. And that’s fundamental.”

As she steps into retirement, Kathleen is embracing the next chapter with enthusiasm. She is looking forward to travelling more, spending quality time with her grandchildren, reconnecting with friends, and staying active (pickleball is high on the list). She describes the upcoming freedom as “almost unreal”— and she’s earned every bit of it.

And for those who don’t already know: Kathleen is also a published author. Her debut novel, Whiteout, was released on Amazon in 2021 and garnered raving reviews. A completed draft of her second novel is waiting patiently to be finished, and we have a feeling it won’t wait much longer.

Looking back at her time with ABLE2, Kathleen shares that she has no regrets shifting from the corporate setting to the charitable sector. “It ended up being far more satisfying than I could have imagined. It’s been a great job. I’ve really enjoyed working here. We’ve got a really good group of people, and I’m very proud to work with this organization.”

Kathleen, you have steadied us through a pandemic, modernized how we work, and brought a quiet dedication to every task—big or small. You have supported our staff, strengthened our operations, and helped shape the experience of countless community members who have simply felt, in the way that matters most, that they belong.

On behalf of the staff, the Board, and the people we support—thank you. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and your unwavering commitment to the mission. We wish you endless joy in the adventures ahead, and we cannot wait to cheer you on as you write your next chapters—both in life, and on the page.

Congratulations on your retirement, Kathleen! You will always be a part of the ABLE2 family!

Give to Gain: Investing in Women with Disabilities

Advocacy has always been part of my life. As a mother to my son with autism, I’ve spent years pushing through systems not designed for families like mine. I’ve sat in rooms as the lone voice, fighting for his right to be included, and insisting that doors stay open when they close on us. Those experiences have shaped my career, my leadership approach, and my understanding of what real advocacy actually requires. And it has taught me that women are the strongest advocates in every space they occupy.

Women hold systems together while navigating barriers themselves. We are caregivers, organizers, problem-solvers, innovators. We build networks, create solutions, and support our families and communities, not only because we can, but because we must. So this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” resonates deeply. When women are given access, opportunity, and support, families gain. Communities gain. Organizations gain. Everyone gains.

But there is a group of women whose realities remain largely invisible in these conversations: women with disabilities. They face some of the steepest barriers of all, experiencing not only the gender wage gap and the disability employment gap, gaps that widen even further at the intersections of racism, poverty, and systemic exclusion. Women with disabilities hold just 0.3% of senior leadership roles in Canada, and only 59% of persons with disabilities are employed at all. These numbers make it clear that these aren’t individual shortcomings, but systemic flaws.

In my career, I’ve watched this play out: women shut out of workplaces that won’t accommodate them, talented leaders passed over because someone assumed disability meant inability, women with disabilities trapped in benefit systems that discourage financial capacity. And what’s frustrating is that we know we can change it, we’re just not investing enough to do it.

When we invest in women with disabilities through access, accommodation, opportunity, and trust, we gain far more than we give. We gain exceptional problem-solvers who’ve spent their lives navigating systems not built for them. We gain employees who demonstrate loyalty because meaningful employment isn’t something they take for granted. We gain perspectives that strengthen products, services, and workplace culture in ways homogeneous teams never could. And we gain communities that thrive when the people most marginalized are empowered to lead.

Talking about their realities is not enough. The true “give to gain” equation requires real, tangible investment. Real investment looks like designing flexibility and accommodation into workplaces as a standard, not a perk or afterthought. Real investment is expanding financial literacy and security initiatives that address poverty traps, benefit clawbacks, and the economic barriers unique to women with disabilities. Investment is normalizing accessible hiring practices to break down the barriers in the labour market. It’s providing real pathways to leadership and advancement, so women with disabilities can take on more leadership roles. And finally, committing to measurable equity, closing gaps in wages, employment, and unmet accommodation needs, and holding ourselves accountable for progress.

The return on investment is unambiguous. Research shows that advancing gender equality could contribute up to $150 billion to Canada’s GDP, and improving disability employment measurably increases productivity, stability, and overall workforce participation.

But beyond the economics, something more fundamental is at stake: when women with disabilities gain economic security, their families stabilize. When they gain employment, entire community narratives shift about who belongs in workplaces. When they gain leadership positions, they change what’s possible for the next generation.

We see this a lot in our work at ABLE2. We see mothers who, once supported, become fierce advocates for other families. We see women who gain financial skills turn around to mentor others navigating the same systems. We see employees who, when accommodated and trusted, grow into transformational leaders. These are not just anecdotes. These are real impacts of empowering women with disabilities.

And yet, society remains stuck in a cycle where women with disabilities must still fight for every opportunity, every accommodation, every dollar. We celebrate those who “overcome” barriers instead of committing to removing the barriers altogether. We offer programs that fill gaps, when what people need are systemic changes.

In celebrating women, I urge you to commit to actual investment in women with disabilities. Ask yourself: What are we giving that helps women with disabilities gain?

Because when women with disabilities have what they need to truly succeed, we all gain. The question now is simple: are we ready to invest like we mean it?

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director

Read Heather’s other articles here

Access to Justice is Foundational to Social Justice

February 20 marks World Day of Social Justice. This year’s theme by the United Nations, “Social Protection and Decent Work for All”, calls for practical policies that reduce poverty, strengthen public services, and ensure access to justice and wellbeing for everyone.

For people with disabilities, this isn’t theoretical. It’s personal.

Social justice is often discussed in terms of income supports, employment rates, or labor rights. Those matter profoundly, but for many people with disabilities, justice begins even earlier, with a more fundamental question: Can I access legal protection at all?

Can I understand my rights? Challenge decisions affecting my housing, income, or healthcare? Navigate systems designed without me in mind? Afford legal guidance when I need it most?

When the answer is no, every other social protection becomes a promise without a pathway.

At ABLE2, the Reach Legal Referral Services exists because access to justice is not equitable. Legal systems can be overwhelming, expensive, and inaccessible, particularly for people living with disabilities or limited financial means. This service bridges that gap.

We mobilize a network of over 200 volunteer lawyers, paralegals, and mediators who provide up to 3 hours of free, confidential legal consultation. For many clients, this is the first time they’ve felt heard in a system that felt stacked against them. Sometimes it’s the difference between losing housing and maintaining stability, between exploitation and protection, or between giving up and asserting their rights.

Access to justice underpins every other social protection system.

Without it, workers cannot defend their labor rights, tenants cannot challenge unsafe or discriminatory housing practices, families cannot secure benefits they are entitled to, and individuals cannot protect themselves from exploitation or abuse. When legal protections are inaccessible, rights are theoretical.

The UN’s theme emphasizes decent work. For people with disabilities, decent work requires more than job opportunities. It requires enforceable workplace accommodations, protection from discrimination, fair wages, and meaningful participation.

But when you can’t access legal systems to challenge discrimination or demand accommodations, “decent work” remains out of reach, regardless of how many jobs exist.

Employment equity laws mean nothing if people can’t exercise them.

ABLE2’s Reach Legal Referral Services, and other programs at ABLE2 that provide navigation support and advocacy help ensure people don’t navigate fragmented systems alone. We work to reduce stigma, build understanding, and connect individuals to services that support dignity and stability.

But charities like ours cannot replace systemic responsibility.

Programs like ours should be bridges, not permanent solutions. Governments must adequately fund inclusive social protection systems. Employers must uphold labor rights and engage in meaningful social dialogue. Communities must challenge stigma and invest in local initiatives that connect people to services and opportunities.

Social justice is not achieved through statements. It is achieved through structures that work for everyone from the start.

If we are serious about “Social Protection and Decent Work for All,” then access to justice must be non-negotiable, not a charitable service, but a fundamental right with infrastructure to support it.

On this World Day of Social Justice, I’m challenging leaders, policymakers, employers, and community members alike: examine where barriers still exist, and remove them. Fund inclusive systems. Design services that are accessible from the start. Ensure people with disabilities can claim their rights, not just read about them.

Social cohesion strengthens when inclusion is intentional. Justice delayed for some is justice denied for all.

Social justice is built through action. Let’s build it together.

Where do you see justice gaps in your community? What role might you play in closing them?

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director

Read Heather’s other articles here

Becoming Ready for What Comes Next: Steven’s Housing Journey with ABLE2

Steven has lived in Ottawa for most of his life. He shares a home with his mother, and balances two part-time jobs—one as a City of Ottawa maintenance worker, and another doing data entry for a taxi company. In his free time, he hangs out with his friends, goes to the movies, and plays guitar. Writing has also become an important outlet for him, and he recently published a memoir about growing up with autism.

“It’s about determination,” he explains. “About learning how to work with my condition, not against it.”

Steven’s book ‘Life so Far’ is available here.

That same determination drives a goal Steven holds close—living independently one day.

“My goal is to move out of my mom’s home one day,” Steven shares. “There’s no rush right now, but I want to be ready. My parents won’t be around forever, and when the time comes, I want a safe, decent place to live.”

It’s a goal many people with disabilities share, but one that Ottawa’s housing landscape makes difficult to pursue. Rising costs, limited availability, and lengthy waitlists create barriers for almost anyone searching for a home. For individuals navigating disability-related challenges on top of that, the process can feel especially unforgiving.

Steven began taking steps early. In 2022, he registered with the Ottawa Housing Registry, believing he had set the process in motion. He later discovered his application had never been received. It was a frustrating setback, but it led him to ABLE2’s Housing Support Program, where he was connected with Adult Protective Services Worker (APSW) Patricia. Together, they reapplied, and this time Steven received confirmation that his application was successfully in the system.

Since then, Steven and Patricia have met monthly to navigate paperwork, review housing options, and work through the practical steps of preparing for independent living. They’ve also focused on financial readiness—budgeting, building savings, and planning for the future.

“It’s helpful,” Steven says simply. “It doesn’t hurt to have extra help.”

That steady, consistent support matters. Even when progress feels slow, having someone checking in, answering questions, and helping him plan, makes the journey feel manageable rather than overwhelming.

Steven’s housing goal may still be years away, but he is focused on being ready when the moment comes. He hopes to secure full-time employment, continue saving, and eventually move into a place of his own. In the meantime, APSW Patricia ensures he isn’t navigating these complex systems alone.

Beyond housing, Steven also hopes his story changes how people think about disability. “Someone once told my mom I wouldn’t be able to socialize or do much,” he recalls. “But I proved that wrong.” He has made the Dean’s List in college, holds down two jobs, published a book, and continues to build a life rich with purpose and joy.

ABLE2’s Housing Support Program exists not just to help people find housing, but to empower individuals to pursue independence with confidence. For people like Steven, having consistent guidance and support throughout the journey makes the process feel less daunting—and a life of independence feel within reach.

About ABLE2’s Housing Support Program

ABLE2’s Housing Support Program provides individualized support to help people with developmental disabilities prepare for independent living. Through one-on-one work with Adult Protective Services Workers (APSWs), clients:

Explore housing options and understand what’s available
Develop essential life skills like budgeting and self-advocacy
Navigate housing waitlists and application processes
Connect with community resources and supports
Build confidence and readiness for independent living

The program recognizes that everyone’s timeline is different, and that true independence can be attained by building a strong foundation of skills and a solid network of support.

Learn more about ABLE2’s Housing Support Program here.

Finding the Right Place to Grow: Maks’ Journey to Independence

For Ava, watching her son Maks grow into an independent young man has been a journey filled with both pride and careful planning. As a mother of a young adult with a disability, she knows that independence isn’t something that happens overnight, but a thoughtful process, with the right support at the right time.

Before moving into his apartment, Maks was constantly going back and forth between his divorced parents’ homes. While surrounded by care, the lack of one steady place made it hard to feel settled. Independence felt out of reach, not because Maks lacked the ability, but because navigating housing systems, funding applications, and accessibility requirements can feel like a maze, especially for families doing it largely on their own.

Maks, now in his early twenties, has always been determined to live independently. “I want my own place,” he says simply. “I want to be able to do things on my own.”

That desire for independence is reflected in his everyday life. Maks works part-time at a job that keeps him busy, gives him structure, and supports his mental well-being. More than just the paycheque, working offers him social connection, routine, and a sense of purpose, which are anchors as he steps into adulthood.

Through a referral from Developmental Services Ontario – Eastern Region (DSO-ER), Ava and Maks were connected with ABLE2’s Housing Support Program and found exactly what they needed. They started working with Adult Protective Services Worker (APSW) Patricia, who helped turn a distant goal into something realistic and achievable. Patricia supported Maks and Ava through regular check-ins, careful review of housing options, and thoughtful attention to accessibility, affordability, and location. It wasn’t just about finding any apartment but finding the right one.

“Maks wanted stability,” Ava shares. “A place that was accessible, close to everything he needs, and somewhere he could start building confidence in living more independently.”

Wanting that stability meant confronting a new system that isn’t easy to navigate. Before connecting with ABLE2, Ava spent time researching and she had the patience to navigate paperwork, applications, and phone calls, often with little clarity about next steps.

Through her efforts, Maks was able to secure financial support to make independent living financially viable through programs that assisted with rent and utilities. Maks receives an extra $100 a month toward his rent through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), following the change in his housing situation—from living with a parent to renting his own apartment while maintaining part-time employment. The City of Ottawa (under community and social services, ABU) helped cover his last month’s rent and moving costs. Financial assistance was obtained from Hydro Ottawa (under the Ontario Electricity Support Program) towards Maks’ utility bills.*

That weight began to lift when Ava and Maks started working with Patricia through ABLE2’s Housing Support Program, which brought reassurance, clarity, and the sense that someone else was walking alongside them.

“I’ve been doing this on my own for a long time,” Ava says. “Having Patricia felt like having an extra pair of hands, extra reassurance. It reminded me that I don’t have to carry this alone.”

When Maks finally moved into his apartment in October 2025, it marked more than a change of address. It was a milestone.

Now, Maks lives in a space that works for him—close to transit, grocery stores, and the downtown city core he enjoys. He takes pride in his home, his routines, and the growing sense of ownership over his daily life. Whether it’s heading out to a movie, watching sports, or simply enjoying the independence of choosing how he spends his time, Maks is settling into a life that feels like his own.

More than finding the right resources, APSW Patricia has also supported Maks in developing the practical skills he’ll need to thrive independently.

“We’ve worked on budgeting, understanding bills, managing money,” Patricia says. “These are things that seem simple, but when you’re preparing for your first place, they’re essential.”

Maks is also learning to navigate community resources, understand his rights as a tenant, and advocate for his needs—tools that will serve him in the long run.

While the journey toward full independence continues, Ava feels relieved knowing that Maks has a strong foundation and a team behind him. ABLE2’s Housing Support Program didn’t just help them find a place, but helped Maks build confidence, clarity, and a path forward.

For families like Ava and Maks’, support makes all the difference. It turns uncertainty into progress and long, complicated systems into something manageable and human.

Because everyone deserves a place where they can feel safe, capable, and at home, and the support to get there.

*Note: The funding supports mentioned reflect Maks and Ava’s personal experience. Eligibility, amounts, and program details may vary and are subject to change. Readers are encouraged to research current information directly with the respective funding bodies to determine eligibility.

About ABLE2’s Housing Support Program

Explore housing options and understand what’s available
Develop essential life skills like budgeting and self-advocacy
Navigate housing waitlists and application processes
Connect with community resources and supports
Build confidence and readiness for independent living

The program recognizes that everyone’s timeline is different, and that true independence can be attained by building a strong foundation of skills and a solid network of support.

Learn more about ABLE2’s Housing Support Program here.

Mondays Afternoons with Rebecca – Why Showing Up Matters

Rebecca works remotely as a Project Manager for a nonprofit organization, and describes herself as a homebody. But since joining ABLE2’s Matching Program, her Monday afternoons have become something she wouldn’t trade for anything.

When Rebecca first began searching for a volunteer opportunity, she wasn’t sure what she had to offer. Many roles were looking for skills that were either too niche or too technical. Then she came across ABLE2’s Matching Program.

“What stood out was that all I needed to offer was my time. Just being there,” Rebecca recalls.

After applying through Volunteer Ottawa, Rebecca began ABLE2’s onboarding process. She admits it felt daunting at first, but she quickly understood why it mattered. “ABLE2 takes matching seriously,” she recalls. “They really want to make it sustainable and work for everyone involved.”

Rebecca met her Match in late spring 2025, and over the months, their connection has grown naturally. Now, they’ve settled into a rhythm. Every Monday afternoon, they meet at the same Shawarma restaurant in the neighbourhood where Rebecca’s Friend frequents. Over the fragrant curls of roasted meat, they chat, share a few laughs, and simply enjoy each other’s company. After a couple of months, Rebecca was invited over to her Friend’s house. For her, it was a meaningful step that signalled growing trust and comfort in their friendship.

Since then, their time together has expanded in small, meaningful ways. They listen to all sorts of music, work together on decluttering her Friend’s home, or sift through life’s joys and trials. Rebecca describes it as simple but deeply grounding.

Early on, Rebecca would worry she was not “doing enough” as an Ally, or that the conversations weren’t always flowing, or that the outings weren’t productive enough. But her Friend gently shifted that perspective. “Sometimes she’ll just say, ‘I’m so glad to see you today.’ That’s when I realized, being an Ally doesn’t have to be a big thing. You just need to show up.”

Months into the match, Rebecca and her Friend discovered their birthdays fell just days apart. So, when their special day came, they decided to celebrate it together. “I brought her a meal she wouldn’t normally be able to access because she doesn’t go far from home. And the guys at the shawarma place surprised her with a birthday cake. It was such a joyful moment—just sharing a birthday with a friend.” Rebecca shares that it was one of their most memorable moments together as a Match.

What’s surprised Rebecca most isn’t just the impact she’s had, but what she’s gained in return.

“I like having something that gets me out of the house regularly.” Rebecca shares. “I’ve gained a genuine friendship with someone I probably crossed paths with before, but never would have known if not for ABLE2.”

For Rebecca, being an Ally means being someone her Friend can count on. Someone she can call when she’s anxious. Someone to check in with during bad weather.

“Being one of her safe people is an honour,” Rebecca says. “And honestly, it goes both ways. I’ve shared my own mental health challenges with her too. It’s mutual.”

Rebecca also values the ongoing support from ABLE2’s Matching Program team.

“The social workers really check in. Azra has been fantastic. It’s comforting to talk things through and know support is there. And Lenka, who did my onboarding, was great too. You come into the program knowing that you’re never doing this alone.”

For anyone feeling hesitant about volunteering, Rebecca’s offers reassuring advice: “Make sure you’re ready for the commitment, but know that once you’re in it, it won’t feel like an obligation. It becomes something you want to make time for.”

She adds, “Don’t put pressure on yourself about what the Match needs to be. Let it develop organically. You really just need to show up.”

Perhaps the biggest shift for Rebecca has been her perspective on disability.

“It’s not as intimidating as you think. You realize pretty quickly that you have so much more in common than you expect,” she shares.

On Monday afternoons, Rebecca is proving that meaningful change doesn’t come from doing something extraordinary—it comes from being present, consistent, and open to connection.

And sometimes, all it takes is showing up.

There are still over eighty people with disabilities waiting for Allies like Rebecca. If you can offer just a few hours a month, you can make a difference too.

Learn more about volunteering with the Matching Program here.

What 2025 Taught Us and What We’re Investing In for 2026

I’ve never been one for resolutions. But as I reflect on ABLE2’s remarkable year and look ahead to 2026, I’m clear about what we’re leaving behind and what we’re intentionally building toward.

2025 exceeded expectations in ways I didn’t anticipate.

We hit our revenue goal by Q3, well ahead of the Q4 period that typically carries our fundraising. We earned three times more in media features than the previous year, further amplifying disability voices across the region. We said yes to non-traditional partnerships— including a Twitch gamer who raised over $1,300 in a 13-hour livestream— and deepened relationships with long-time supporters. We showed up where our community gathered, from Capital PRIDE to professional roundtables. And our transition to fully remote operations, which seemed risky to others, became one of our greatest strengths— allowing us to meet people where they are, when they need us, unconfined by physical walls or office hours.

But perhaps the most meaningful transformation was how we showed up for the people we support.

We reduced our Matching Program waitlist by 26%, which meant that individuals who had been waiting years were finally matched with their Allies. The Fetal Alcohol Resource Program (FARP) saw wait times fall by 67%, and children, youth and their families received help almost 19 months sooner. Our Funding Brokerage services served nearly 80% more clients, and our Housing Support program supported 140% more in 2025 compared to the previous year.

The data reveals how much greater our impact can be when we streamline our programs, strengthen the quality of our delivery, and let data guide smarter, more intentional decisions.

2025 showed us what’s possible when we choose evolution over ‘what works’.

Now here’s what we’re committed to for 2026.

What’s out: Hustle-culture as a badge of honour

What’s in: Staff wellbeing as a strategic priority that supports sustainable, meaningful work

Burnout should never be the cost of commitment. When staff have what they need—resources, support, mental health care, compassion—they can show up fully for the community better. Wellbeing isn’t a perk. It’s infrastructure.

Leading with care for our team means they can lead with care for the people we support.

What’s out: Relying on ‘what’s always worked’

What’s in: Creativity, visibility & community-driven engagement

Marketing & communications aren’t just for vanity. It’s how the community discovers what we offer, understands our impact, and finds meaningful ways to get involved.

In 2026, we’re expanding our communications footprint—building partnerships with community voices, exploring influencer collaborations, and engaging in digital spaces like gaming livestreams where authentic connection already thrives. We’ve seen the power of these unconventional approaches. Now we’re ready to maximize them.

We’re also being intentional about where we focus our time and resources: investing in programs with strong potential and pursuing grants that align closely with our mission and strengths.

These choices ensure our impact is not only felt—but seen, understood, and championed.

What’s out: Being the default decision-maker and feeling responsible for every answer and every call

What’s in: Human-centered leadership—leading with care, listening deeply, and learning alongside my team

I learn something every day from my team, from the people we support, and from taking risks that stretch what’s possible. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about creating space for others to shine, listening deeply, and staying curious enough to keep growing.

I’m not perfect, and I don’t need to be.

What I am committed to is learning continuously, refining how I lead, and adapting to a world that changes faster than any one person can keep up with. My team challenges me, teaches me, and inspires me, and that shared growth is what makes our work stronger.

These aren’t resolutions, but commitments rooted in what 2025 proved possible.

We’re investing in people—our staff and our community.

We’re investing in bold strategies that reflect how the world actually works today.

We’re investing in our evolution as an organization committed to sustainable, innovative, courageous disability advocacy.

The disability community deserves a champion that shows up boldly—online, in person, and everywhere people gather. That means taking care of our team, diversifying the way we resource our work, and being fearless about trying new approaches.

2025 showed us we can achieve remarkable things when we’re willing to adapt.
2026 is about doing those things with intention, investment, and care.

What are you leaving behind this year? What are you investing in?

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director

Read Heather’s other articles here

How Our Champions Changed ABLE2—For Good

Reflecting on 2025 and what happens when a community shows up for people with disabilities

I saw Wicked recently, and in the very emotional final duet “For Good,” Elphaba and Glinda reflect on how profoundly they’ve changed each other’s lives. That song stayed with me and inspired this reflection as I look back at ABLE2’s journey from 2024 to 2025. This will sound cliché, but the line “…changed for good” captures exactly what happened when our community showed up in our moment of greatest need.

In 2024, ABLE2 faced a financial challenge that put 50 years of community impact at risk. Like many small charities, we were stretched between rising demand and shrinking resources. For the first time in my tenure, I wasn’t sure if we would survive.

To protect our most essential programs, we made difficult decisions like closing some programs and laying off staff. These were among the hardest conversations I’ve had as Executive Director, and the impact on those affected weighed heavily on me. But with limited resources and growing need, these steps were necessary to continue supporting the most vulnerable people in our community.

At year-end of 2024, we launched a digital-only fundraising appeal. No direct mail, minimal marketing budget, just honesty. We told the truth about our financial situation, and our message of hope that those who believed in our mission would step up. Based on previous years, we knew to expect modest results from this campaign.

Instead, something remarkable happened. Our supporters didn’t just respond to the call. They exceeded it. Donations came from longtime partners, first-time donors, former volunteers, families we supported years ago, and advocates in the community. They showed up for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Their generosity allowed ABLE2 to stabilize, rebuild and enter 2025 on stronger ground.

Our champions changed us— for good.

With this renewed stability, we knew we had to be more strategic with our resources. Midway through 2025, we made a decision that felt both risky and necessary: ABLE2 transitioned to fully remote operations and closed its physical office space.

Some worried this would reduce our impact or visibility, or compromise productivity. But we moved forward with confidence because we have always known our strength lies not within the four walls of an office—it’s our connection to the community.

Freed from the limitations of a physical location, our team met program users, volunteers, and supporters where they were. We eliminated barriers like travel, rigid schedules, and the pressures of a traditional office environment. Our staff gained the flexibility to deliver programs in ways that reflect people’s needs and preferences, while also maintaining a healthier work–life balance for themselves.

This wasn’t new to us. We had already been operating this way since the pandemic, and our results consistently showed that our effectiveness depended on relationships, not real estate.

Since going fully remote, we have reached and supported more people and have moved families off waitlists. We have onboarded more volunteers, welcomed new donors, and strengthened partnerships with organizations and businesses that share our vision.

Every FASD training session, every match, every navigation support, and every advocacy effort has been possible because of this shift and because of the champions who continue to stand with us.

2025 has shown us what happens when a community steps up for inclusion. It has shown us that small organizations can have outsized impact when surrounded by champions. It has shown us that the work of centering disability voices, building inclusive communities, and breaking down barriers, requires all of us, working together.

To everyone who donated, volunteered, partnered, advocated, and believed in ABLE2 this year: thank you. You didn’t just lift us out of crisis—you affirmed that people with disabilities matter.

You became their Everyday Champions.

As 2025 draws to a close, I’m deeply grateful for everything this community has made possible. And while we have made real progress, the need has not slowed.

People with disabilities are still fighting for basic inclusion. Families are still navigating fragmented systems alone. Young adults are still aging out of supports without a clear path forward. The gap between awareness and action remains wide.

ABLE2 exists to bridge that gap—to be the champion in someone’s corner, to build the inclusive community we all deserve. But we cannot do this work alone.

This holiday season, I’m asking you to be an Everyday Champion for people with disabilities.

Your gift ensures we begin 2026 strong—just as your generosity at the end of 2024 transformed our trajectory this year.

Your gift today means:

Someone like Chris finds genuine friendship instead of isolation;
Individuals like Elijah increase their financial literacy and build skills toward independence,
Families like the Desormeauxes receive the tools, resources and education to support their loved ones;
And individuals like Olga access legal support to assert their rights.

Your support champions lives of meaning and joy. Read their stories here or listen to their voices on our podcast.

We are close to our year-end goal. A gift today will help ensure ABLE2 can carry this momentum forward and continue creating connection, belonging, and opportunity in the year ahead.

Will you be an Everyday Champion for people with disabilities before the year ends?

Make a gift here: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/ABLE2DonateSM

Thank you for standing with us, now and into the future.

Happy Holidays!

Published by

Heather Lacey

Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director

Read Heather’s other articles here