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As of April 30th, 2024 all Ausome activities (including programs) are permanently cancelled. 

April 30, 2024

I am deeply saddened to announce that after nearly 9 years Ausome Ottawa will be closing its doors today. This decision weighs heavily on my heart as a founder. Our mission, to support children with autism and their families through sports and recreation, remains as critical today as it was when we first started. Despite our best efforts, the lack of available funding has made it impossible for us to continue.

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.

While this is a devastating moment, I am grateful to everyone who played a part in making 27,000 hours of children in sports possible. Thank you to everyone who has supported Ausome Ottawa over the years, whether you are one of the smiling, sweaty athletes with whom we got to play, or whether you volunteered, worked, partnered, hosted, or gave, you made a meaningful difference in so many lives.

It’s our hope that the organizations and the more than 1,700 individuals who learned to be more inclusive and supportive through the Ausome Training program, will pick up where we leave off – creating space for all children to be physically active as part of a community.

Sincerely,

Liisa Vexler

Questions and Answers

How can I stay in contact with people I met at Ausome?
Join the Ausome Parent Huddle group on Facebook.

What will happen to the Ausome auction item I just purchased?
We will offer a time for you to pick up your items at the RA Centre later this week.

What will happen to any money that Ausome raised recently?
Up until today, children and youth have been participating in Ausome programs in gyms across the city. Those funds will go to pay staff and other expenses and if anything is left over, it will be donated to another Ottawa-based autism charity.

Can I help in any way?
There are two ways you can help:

If you would like to help sort through our “stuff”, please email info@AusomeOttawa.com.

If you would like to continue this mission, please find like-minded people in the community and just start. Young athletes with autism need a place to play.

Can I reach a specific individual who worked at Ausome?
You can, but not through their Ausome email address. LinkedIn or Facebook are the best options.

Article: Charitable Giving Has Reached A Historic Low In Canada – Now What?

 

Meet Ausome athletes

  • Vacuuming genius, lover of Taco Bell and Dairy Queen feasts, friend to birds and squirrels everywhere; cheerful and outgoing piano-playing jump-scare king & all around AUSOME kid!

    Connor

  • Sensational singer, skyhigh trampoline-jumper and big bear hugger; souper-duper soup-hater, fierce fan of trips to the beach & all around AUSOME kid!

    Félix

  • World-famous quesadilla queen, pink-appreciating new friend aficionado, human companion to dog Oakley; hater of stickers, arts and crafts innovator & all around AUSOME kid!

    Avery

  • Speedy XC skiier, cool pool diver and plate-clearing champion; pizza-loving, sunscreen-avoiding imagineer & all around AUSOME kid!

    Nathan

  • Jokester extraordinaire and fan of french fries and all things pink, lover of open-window
    drives and jamming to his favourite tunes & all around AUSOME kid!

    Brennan

  • Sensitive and compassionate Goldfish cracker-eating horse fanatic,
    book-loving disliker of loud noises & all around AUSOME kid!

    Nathan

  • Horses and chocolate chip chip cookies -loving, ‘Walmart Greeter’ and little brother bugger,
    disliker of nail cutting, singing swimmer and all around AUSOME kid!

    Mahnis

  • Reptile-enamored stealer of hearts and second desserts, carrot-hater,
    hilarious artist of epic battles, & all around AUSOME kid!

    Bryson

  • Purple and pink dog expert, lego building lover of life, warm-hearted, grilled cheese eating
    interrupting chicken & all-around AUSOME kid!

    Imogen

  • Unicorn-enamored, superhero-disguised prankster, sweet-hearted
    and intelligent black tiger shrimp-hater, & all around AUSOME kid!

    Zakary

  • Animal-adoring, fun-loving and active jujube heister,
    belly-laughing pizza dough kneader & all around AUSOME kid!

    Summer

  • Open-minded and silly big brother, explorer of the solar system,
    holiday treat enthusiast, laundry-folding helper & all-around AUSOME kid!

    Kibwézé

  • Funny and empathetic Grade 1 student, aspiring YouTuber, avoider of brussels sprouts,
    Minecraft master, interruptasaurus & all around AUSOME kid!

    Grayson

  • Silly cuddler, laundry helping disapprover of wet clothes, thief of cookies and lover of chocolate
    Timbits, LEGO-videogame-obstacle course enthusiast & all-around AUSOME kid!

    Nathan

  • Puppy and pizza-loving perfectionist, fervent fan of pink and orange; hair comber supreme and enthusiastic swimmer and biker & all around AUSOME kid!

    Richele

  • Number one Spongebob fan and admirer of rice, cats, and the colour yellow; devoted walker and player of games & all around AUSOME kid!

    Yousif

  • Caring cat lover, reader and occasional drama queen; worldly dog park tourist, accomplished dog spotter & all around AUSOME kid!

    McKayla

  • Meet Ausome athlete Kaeden: considerate pizza connoisseur, candy-swiping gamer and grey wolf fan; future McLaren 720S Coupe driver, accomplished track star & all around AUSOME kid!

    Kaeden

  • Meet Ausome athlete Dylan: happy camper, family hangout fan and new food skeptic; joyful shark lover, bubbly beaver scout & all around AUSOME kid!

    Dylan

  • Meet Ausome athlete Neil: kind-hearted cyan fan, bookworm and assistant cook extraordinaire; bad dad joke comedian, fan of friend hangs & all around AUSOME kid!

    Neil