About Us
Habilitas Foundation is a foundation that raises money for, and grants to Montreal-based organizations serving people of all ages living with physical disabilities and sensory impairments.
The foundation works daily with its partners toward a world of increased access, equity, and respect for all.
Mission
Habilitas Foundation works with and for people of all ages living with physical disabilities and sensory impairments. Through donor support, and together with our partners, the foundation creates and funds opportunities for improved quality of life for the populations we serve.
Vision
Habilitas Foundation is committed to creating an inclusive, uplifting, and respectful world that provides equality of opportunity for all, regardless of ability.
Values
Habilitas Foundation’s work is rooted in respect and guided by kindness. Relationships are at the core of what we do. We strive to ensure that donors, volunteers, partners, clients, and members alike feel respected and valued.
Becoming Habilitas Foundation
Habilitas Foundation is the result of years of commitment to a better world on behalf of a number of organizations. Today, we are proud to be the official foundation of Camp Massawippi, Action Centre, the Quebec Federation of the Blind and the Lethbridge-Layton Mackay Rehabilitation Centre. We are also glad to be able to fund others working in the disability space.
As we continue to evolve, we remain grateful to those who came before and helped set the stage for us to be able to carry out such meaningful and important work.
1869
The Mackay Centre is created to support Deaf children.
1908
The Montreal Association for the Blind is founded by Philip E. Layton as a social club, a Braille lending library and a sheltered workshop.
1916
The Mackay Centre expands its services to include children living with physical impairments.
1937
The Occupational Therapy Centre, later known as the Constance-Lethbridge Rehabilitation Centre, is created to support adults with motor impairments.
1940
The Mackay Centre Foundation is founded to help Deaf and physically impaired children.
1951
Mackay Centre Camp for Deaf and Crippled Children (later known as Camp Massawippi) opens for its first summer.
1969
Constance Lethbridge Foundation is founded to enhance services for children and adults with motor impairments.
1978
The Montreal Association of the Blind Foundation is founded to help those of all ages living with vision impairment.
2007
The MAB-Mackay Foundation is formed from the merger of the both Mackay and the MAB Foundations to consolidate resources and to offer a stronger alliance of services for the hearing and vision impaired of all ages and for children with motor and mobility disabilities.
2016
The MAB-Mackay and Constance-Lethbridge Foundations merge in order to better support those of all ages living with vision, hearing, motor or communication impairments.
2019
Creation of Habilitas Foundation, allowing us to expand our reach and have an even greater impact in the field of physical rehabilitation.
Our Team
Small but mighty, the Habilitas Foundation team is deeply committed to furthering the foundation’s mission.