What began earlier this year as a conversation with a local Mom of a child with autism in search of community, connection and shared learning, quickly grew into a great partnership with Community Living Wallaceburg. Aligned with both our Agency’s educational mandate and this mother’s desire to connect to others, a plan was developed, a date was set, and a location was secured to help local members of the autism community come together and find their village.
Eleena deBakker, owner of Westbrook’s Flower Shoppe and a familiar face to many, became our co-event organizer. She worked to secure keynote speaker Dr. Wendy Edwards, a locally renowned physician who specializes in biomedical treatments for autism and is also a parent of a child with autism. “Having worked closely with Dr. Edwards myself, I knew the knowledge and expertise she could provide to our community would be invaluable,” shared Eleena. “With many in our community unable to afford working with specialists directly, this opportunity shows the value of creating a village where people can come together to learn, share, and support one another.”
“An inspiring and well-attended event, drawing over 70 participants both in person and online, we were grateful for the opportunity to broadcast the evening live, and to record it as a permanent shared resource,” shared Andrew Dawson, Fund Development & Communications Specialist for Community Living Wallaceburg.
Thanks to funding support from the Glasstown Brewing Company Riverfest events in 2024 and 2025, Community Living Wallaceburg and Eleena are hopeful to continue to plan more educational opportunities in 2026.
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