Our History

A $50,000 bequest from Jacqueline Pelletier led to the creation of the AHF, which obtained its letters patent from the Registrar of Companies and was recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency as a public foundation.

Actor Guy Nadon and multidisciplinary artist Normand Gougeon, both spokespeople for the AHF, attended the launch of the AHF and the opening of an exhibition on October 16, 2014, at La Boite gourmande on Laurier Street. Like AHF president Frédéric Hivon, they share the reasons why they support the project to create a home for people with aphasia. Paintings by Hugo Brochu, Cong Nguyen, Viviane Troche, and Louise Bourbonnais were put on sale.

Ms. Hélène Germain DeCorwin, who passed away in 2015, fostered the creation of the AHF through her generosity and initiatives. Following a visit to a close friend, Mr. Karel Velan, a philanthropist moved by the needs of the disadvantaged, she donated $45,000 to the AQPA. Today, the AHF is delighted to count her daughter, Sophie DeCorwin, among its most generous donors.

The AHF moves with the APQA from the rectory on Laurier Street to the 4th floor of the Monastery Community Services Center. The executive director shares an office with the CREP teacher. Despite the limited space, both the AHF and AQPA manage to carry our all their activities.

Adalie Le Nguyen, a master's student in speech therapy, carried out research led by Guylaine Le Dorze, a full professor at the School of Speech Therapy and Audiology at the University of Montreal, on the needs and desires of people with aphasia with regard to a home dedicated to them. She interviewed more than 30 participants from the AQPA. A summary of her research was published online in 2018 in the journal Aphasiology following the presentation of the results of her supervised work at the International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference held in Aviero, Portugal, in September 2018.

For her part, Louise Bourbonnais surveyed caregivers about their needs and the urgency of living in the Aphasia House

On September 27, 2018, Adalie Le Nguyen presented the main results of her research to the members of the AHF board of directors and AQPA representatives

The technical resource group Bâtir son quartier invited the AHF to participate in a social housing project, Convergence Griffintown, under the administrative direction of Espace La Traversée. However, this project, which got off to a good start, was abandoned in 2023 along with the Accès-Logis program, on which its funding depended.

In order to introduce the Association and its Foundation to donors, the dossier Our Activities, produced by the AHF, answers the following questions: What does the AQPA do? Who attends the Association? How is it financed? Who administers it? This dossier was entirely financed by the AHF.

In recognition of the exceptional services received by Stanley Backman, and to honor his memory, his wife, Marilyn Takefman, made a $10,000 donation for the soundproofing of the rehearsal room of the Aphasia Choir.

A recognition evening, hosted by Sophie Quevillon, brought together 35 major donors on October 1st, 2019, at the Le 1040 Marie-Anne gallery. Louise Bourbonnais, Chloé Dugré-Morand, and Brigitte Ferland exhibited their paintings. Dr. Céline Crowe, president of the AHF, informed guests about the progress of the Aphasia House project, and researcher Guylaine Le Dorze spoke about the benefits of community involvement for research. Half of the proceeds from the sale of Louise Bourbonnais' twelve paintings were donated to the AHF.

A few weeks before the lockdown imposed by Covid-19, the AHF hired François Gschwind, a communications and philanthropy specialist, as coordinator. He has a track record of impressive achievements in philanthropy and partnership development, as well as extensive experience in fundraising, advertising, and grant applications. Despite the lockdown, he designed and organized a photography contest and a photo auction.

As part of its summer photography workshops, in collaboration with the AQPA, the Foundation organized a contest with a jury composed of professional photographers: Bernard Brault, Ivanoh Demers, Allen McInnis, Marie Josée Legault, Marie-France Coallier, and Sophie Corriveau. Six prizes were awarded in the form of gift certificates from Gosselin Photo. The winners were announced at a gathering of the finalists on September 21, 2020, on the 6th floor of the Monastère Community Service Center. Congratulations to Nicole Khoury, who won first and second prize for indoor photos, and to Danielle Déry and Olivia Balzano, who won second and third prize for outdoor photos.

Watch the video of all the photos that were entered in the contest

Launched on September 21, 2020, a virtual auction of 50 photographic works by 10 leading Quebec photographers was the main fundraiser of the year. Bernard Brault, Martin Chamberland, Martin Chevalier, Sophie Corriveau, Marie-France Coallier, Ivanoh Demers, Josie Desmarais, Nicole Khoury, Allen McInnis, Jacques Nadeau, and François Gschwind donated several works that raised nearly $10,000.

The AHF publishes its codes of ethics and professional conduct and prepares a set of structural policies for its governance. 

The AHF adopted new General Regulations.

With a view to growing its investments and with the support of an organization whose mission is to do just that, the AHF created a fund at the Foundation of Greater Montreal in which it deposited part of its assets, namely $135,000.

Three administrators volunteered 600 hours to mark the 40th anniversary of the AQPA. The design and promotion of the 40th anniversary show and its souvenir program were carried out by Louise Bourbonnais. The AQPA slogan and the launch of the Crossword Puzzles on Aphasia were the work of Michelyne Hubert. A conference on what people with aphasia and their caregivers living in the community want after rehabilitation was published and presented by Guylaine Le Dorze as part of the Crossword Puzzles meetings.

Fifteen newsletters were circulated during the year, publicizing events surrounding the 40th anniversary of the AQPA. They also announced the play MAURICE, presented at the Théâtre d'aujourd'hui, written and performed by Anne-Marie Olivier. Espace-Aphasie encouraged readers to participate in the Industrial Alliance contest and ended the year with an effort to recruit new singers for the Aphasia Choir. Nearly 11,000 people were reached by each virtual mailing.

$94,000 was raised in donations, making this tenth year the best since the beginning thanks to the generosity of donors. Major donations totaling $68,000 were received. In accordance with the wishes of donor Raymond Batrie, $25,000 were dedicated to the renewal of office furniture ($15,000) and member transportation ($10,000). The other donations are in support of the mission.