Who we are
Pas à Pattes: Our Origins
Formed in 2019 on the initiative of people in the community, Pas à Pattes et Cie is a non-profit organization whose guiding principle is to ensure a continuum of services for adults aged 21 and over living with an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder.
Our Founder
Trained as a journalist with an MBA, Marie-Paule worked in the media industry for over a decade before reorienting her career towards the management and governance of collective enterprises.
On March 14, 2000, Marie-Paule and her husband opened their home and their hearts to a young man living with an intellectual and sensory disability; a young man who is now 26 years old. Since then, Marie-Paule has volunteered her time to help children, teenagers and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.
A woman of heart and action, Marie-Paule understands the needs, issues and challenges of everyday life for people with disabilities and their families. She understands the feeling of abandonment and social exclusion they experience due to a lack of stimulating and rewarding resources, once their school career is over. Pas à Pattes et Cie was created in response to this need.
Pas à Pattes et Cie firmly believes in the potential of people living with an intellectual disability or an autism spectrum disorder, and together we can offer them an active and enriching life, for the benefit of the whole community.
Mission
Pas à Pattes et Cie's mission is to improve the living conditions of adults living with an intellectual disability or an autism spectrum disorder by promoting their participation in socio-professional and community activities through an adapted work environment.
More specifically, Pas à Pattes et Cie's activities aim to :
- Enable people who do not meet the criteria of the job market due to their severe constraints, needs or particular challenges to have access to rewarding activities that promote the recognition of prior learning, and the learning and development of new skills;
- Encourage self-esteem, creativity and a sense of competence, pride and belonging;
- Break isolation and cultivate a social network around a stimulating collective project.
In short, maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, just like any other citizen.
Pas à Pattes et Cie offers adults living with an autism spectrum disorder or an intellectual disability a stimulating and enriching living environment.
Vision
To be a role model and agent of change in the life course of people living with an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder for a more inclusive, supportive and equitable society.
Gandhi said: “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
Values
RESPECT
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
INTEGRITY
COLLABORATION
CREATIVITY
Activity Sector
Adapted work platform:
The activities offered at Pas à Pattes et Cie are inspired by the extraordinary bond between humans and their faithful canine and feline companions.
The handcrafted creation of dog bandanas and cat toys encourages creativity, stimulates the development of fine motor skills and appeals to cognitive functions such as memory and attention. Participation in the Adapted Work Platform also helps develop social skills, team spirit and collaboration.
Participants benefit from sustained supervision that respects their individual abilities.
Pas à Pattes et Cie also adopts an eco-responsible approach thanks to the reuse of surplus fabrics and scraps.
Mobile workshop:
Pas à Pattes et Cie also offers workshops in residential settings, including family and intermediate resources, to help adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, or autism spectrum disorders. These workshops also aim to break isolation and forge links with the community.
Community activities:
Pas à Pattes et Cie is proud to actively collaborate in various local, regional and even supra-regional initiatives! Our participants are proud ambassadors, and their participation in various events and special projects highlights the all-too-often unsuspected potential of people with disabilities.
Pas à Pattes et Cie's participation in Christmas markets and other community events such as bazaars, garage sales and block parties allows visitors to discover Pas à Pattes' mission and activities, get to know our participants and support the organization by purchasing our superb bandanas, lovingly crafted by our artisans with disabilities.
Our Team
Did you know that Pas à Pattes et Cie relies mainly on a volunteer structure?
The organization relies on the collaboration of CRDITSA's specialized educators and caregivers, whose mandate is to ensure the supervision and support of our participants. The pivotal workers also carry out occasional visits and follow-ups with their users as part of the adapted work platform activities that are part of their intervention plan.
Also, in collaboration with the Centre de ressources éducatives et pédagogiques (CREP), Pas à Pattes et Cie offers all participants workshops on various themes such as social, work and communication skills, recycling, recognizing and understanding our emotions and other subjects. These much-appreciated workshops are offered in small groups and contribute positively to the development of their life skills and know-how.
Certificates of participation awarded to highlight participants' achievements
Board of Directors
Pas à Pattes et Cie has surrounded itself with a board of directors made up of members with meaningful backgrounds and experience.
Marie-Paule Ceuppens
Founder and president
France Locas
Secretary
Caroline Tang
Vice president
Johanne Boudreau
Manager
Ghislaine Tremblay
Manager
Lynda Guilbault
Manager
Become a Partner
There are many ways to contribute to and support the mission and activities of Pas à Pattes et Cie. Here are a few examples:
- Donate fabrics
- Organize an activity or fundraiser to benefit Pas à Pattes et Cie.
- Volunteering your time or expertise
Contact us today to learn more, or to tell us about your project.
Thank you for your support!