Montreal non-profit helping neurodiverse students celebrates 25th year – Montreal [Video]

It’s a shop like any other on Donegani Avenue in Pointe-Claire, Que., but the main difference is that behind the store is a non-profit called Light-A-Dream.

Established in 1999, the West Island charity is affiliated with the Lester B. Pearson School Board and it provides young neurodiverse adults the opportunity to experience a work environment.

The stage gives students a chance to develop life skills and, at the same time, it teaches the community more about them.

“The business community themselves are learning a lot about — not Light-A-Dream — but they’re learning a lot about neurodiverse adults,” said Michelle Potter, Light-A-Dream co-founder.

Students are responsible for all of the tasks involved in running a store from making the candles, cleaning the floors, inventory and working at the cash.