Ausome Ottawa announces it's shutting down, the second non-profit in a week
Two Ottawa non-profits, both serving the autism community, have suddenly closed their doors within the past week, leaving parents with fewer supports in the city.
"It was there for us through a really difficult time trying to navigate the whole world of raising a child on the autism spectrum and making sure that he had the best experience possible through his early childhood," said parent Ashley Oakey.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Whether it was gymnastics or summer camp Ashley Oakey says Ausome Ottawa was there. Helping thousands of children with autism, like her 10-year-old son Cole, participate in sports for a small fee.
"There are just not a lot of inclusive programming and nothing like Ausome. So it's not like Ausome went away, now we can rely on something else — there is nothing else," said Oakey.
On Tuesday, after nine years, Ausome Ottawa announced online it was shutting down.
"This year to date, Ausome has received half of the funding it received in the same period last year. That's simply not enough — not even close. With inflation making the cost to operate more expensive and charitable giving to small charities on the decline, we can't see a path forward," co-founder Liisa Vexler wrote.
Jonathan Crone and his son Kieran raised thousands of dollars for Ausome Ottawa through their woodworking business, after his son aged-out.
The closure is now putting pressure on other organizations to fill the gap.
"It really puts parents and their kids in a difficult position. The waitlist situation is almost impossible to quantify because the waitlists are for activities, for programming, for support programs," said Crone.
"Ausome did the responsible thing by shutting their program down while they still had money to pay their employees the final, final pay, there's going to be organizations that may not be able to do that."
Ausome Ottawa is the second organization to announce its closure within a week. Thinking in Pictures Educational Services announced its sudden closure on Friday.
"This Ottawa situation is one that actually has surprised and shocked all of us here at Autism Ontario, especially two organizations within one city, within one region. This isn't something that we're tending to see on a regular basis," said Ola Kusnierz with Autism Ottawa.
According to the Ontario Autism Coalition, more than 67,000 children are registered to receive funding from the province, but only 14,000 have received money within the last six years for core therapy.
The recent closures means even fewer options for parents like Oakey.
"There's next to no inclusive programming that's readily and easily accessible, especially for his age group now," she said.
If parents are looking for support, Autism Ontario says resources are available on its website www.autismontario.com/.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Fort McMurray evacuees welcomed home Saturday as crews make progress on wildfire
Residents of Fort of McMurray who were displaced over wildfire concerns were told to return home Saturday.
Scottie Scheffler, from the course to jail and back: What to know about his PGA Championship arrest
Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested after police say he dragged an officer while trying to get around the scene of a fatal accident Friday ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.
Hot weather poses new risk as thousands remain without power after deadly Houston storm
As the Houston area works to clean up and restore power to hundreds of thousands after deadly storms left at least seven people dead, it will do so amid a smog warning and scorching temperatures that could pose health risks.