Alison’s Story
Meet Alison—a proud aunt, loyal friend, enthusiastic worker, talented artist, and passionate advocate for animals.
Alison is also autistic, and she experiences the world differently. Everyday situations can sometimes bring intense anxiety or rigid thoughts. Crowded streets, confusing routines, or unexpected change can feel overwhelming.
But these challenges aren’t a reflection of Alison. They simply show that the world isn’t always built with people like her in mind.
The Path to PASS
For a long time, finding a place where Alison truly fit was a challenge.
Before joining PALS Adult Services Society (PASS), Alison didn’t have access to programming that aligned with her strengths, interests, and support needs. Her mom, Marilyn, did everything she could—coordinating activities, hiring support staff, helping her stay connected. But as the years passed, Marilyn began to worry about the future.
“I got really concerned as I got older,” Marilyn shared. “Who would be able to take this role on?”
That worry is one many aging parents of autistic adults carry with them.
When Alison first came to PASS, she started slowly with just one day a week. But she quickly found something she had been missing: a place where she felt understood, supported, and valued for who she is. Today, Alison attends PASS Monday through Friday. With friends by her side, she’s building life skills, volunteering in her community, exploring the city with growing confidence, and discovering who she wants to be.
PASS is not a typical day program. It’s a community where members help lead the way—where individual interests, goals, and talents shape what each day looks like. For Alison, that has made all the difference.
The Joy of Meaningful Work
Through PASS, Alison has fulfilled two meaningful employment-related dreams.
The first came through PASS Marketplace, our social enterprise that creates paid employment opportunities for members. Alison helped launch a brand-new product: homemade dog treats. She bakes them, packages them, helps promote them—and designs the product labels using her own artwork.
“It makes me feel proud when someone purchases my dog treats,” Alison says. “And it makes me happy that the dogs are loving them.”
For many people on the autism spectrum, paid employment can feel out of reach. In Canada, employment rates for autistic adults remain among the lowest of any group. That’s why Alison’s second dream is just as powerful.
Through PASS’s employment program, Alison secured a job as a dog walker—something she had always wanted to do. Today, she gets to work with animals she loves, contribute meaningfully to her community, and build confidence every time she clips on a leash.
For Marilyn, seeing her daughter thrive brings a sense of peace she once worried she might never feel:
“Knowing that Alison can come to PASS every day, and knowing that she will be happy in the future, gives me a lot of comfort.”
Help More Stories Like Alison’s Begin
Alison’s journey shows what’s possible when autistic adults have access to individualized support, meaningful work, and a community that understands them.
Your donation helps PASS continue creating these opportunities—for learning, employment, connection, and belonging—so more individuals and families can feel hopeful about the future.
Donate today to support autistic adults in building meaningful lives.
The Wubs Family Foundation will match every donation up to $30,000 until midnight, December 31st, 2025.