At Harrison's Hope, we believe the journey is so much better when we are not alone. Since our inception on May 6, 2024, we have moved rapidly from vision to action, building a lifeline of support for Canadian families navigating the complexities of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Isolation is a primary contributor to mental health vulnerability in FASD caregivers. By providing a "lighthouse" through support groups and advocacy, Harrison's Hope is disrupting this pattern. We aren't just sharing information; we are crafting a seamless tapestry of care, knowledge, and advocacy that creates sustainable change for neurodivergent families.
"Empowering Canadian families living with FASD to thrive, sustainably, in the community."
In just over a year, we have expanded our reach to ensure that every caregiver has the resources, advocacy, and community they need to help their loved ones thrive.
Caregivers Supported
Families Served
Caregivers in Support Groups (2025)
Guest Speaker Series Attendees
Real stories from families whose lives have been transformed by Harrison's Hope.
When Leo went missing, his parents, Sarah and Mark, didn't just feel fear—they felt a profound sense of helplessness. Like many youth living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Leo's challenges with impulsivity and social cues made him an easy target for predators.
By the time the authorities realized Leo had been scouted by a local sex-trafficking ring, he was already miles from home, disconnected from his support system, and trapped in a cycle of exploitation.
How Harrison's Hope Stepped In: Standard intervention often fails youth with FASD because it doesn't account for their unique brain-based needs. Our team jumped into action as soon as Leo's parents reached out to us; we acted as the bridge between the family, and the trusted experts of a local anti-sex trafficking organization Leo required.
The Impact: Today, Leo is back in a stabilized home environment. Because of Harrison's Hope, Sarah and Mark have a dedicated "Safety Roadmap" to prevent future exploitation, and Leo has a community that understands his brain, protects his vulnerability, and celebrates his strengths.
"Without Harrison's Hope, we wouldn't have known where to turn. They didn't just help bring our son home; they gave us the tools to keep him safe." — Sarah, Leo's Mom
Why FASD Support Matters: Youth with FASD are disproportionately vulnerable to exploitation. Our mission is to ensure that no child falls through the cracks and no family has to face the unthinkable alone.
For two years, Maya's parents, David and Elena, felt like they were shouting into a void. Their daughter was bright and creative, but in her Grade 3 classroom, she was struggling. Maya was frequently sent to the office for "non-compliance" and "disruptive outbursts."
Despite her FASD diagnosis, the school board repeatedly denied Maya an Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) meeting. They claimed her academic scores were "too high" for specialized support, ignoring the profound social and emotional dysregulation that made her school day a battleground.
The Turning Point: Exhausted and defeated, the family reached out to Harrison's Hope. Our team stepped in to shift the narrative from "behavioral issues" to "neuro-diverse needs."
A New Chapter for Maya: Within three months of Harrison's Hope joining the team, Maya was formally identified by the IPRC. Today, she has a robust Individual Education Plan (IEP) that supports her brain rather than punishing it.
The office visits have stopped. Maya is finally learning in an environment that understands her, and for the first time in two years, she told her parents, "I'm actually good at school."
"Harrison's Hope changed the trajectory of Maya's life. They gave us the expertise we needed to make the school see our daughter for who she truly is—a student with potential, not a problem to be solved." — David, Maya's Father
Every Child Deserves to Belong: In Ontario, navigating the school system with FASD can be an uphill battle. We ensure families don't have to climb it alone.
By age 20, Marcus had been through the court system three times for minor, non-violent offenses. To the legal system, Marcus looked like a "repeat offender" who refused to follow court orders. To his family, Marcus was a young man with FASD whose memory deficits and poor impulse control made it physically impossible for him to comply with standard probation terms.
Marcus was facing significant jail time for "failing to comply"—essentially being punished for the symptoms of his brain injury.
The Harrison's Hope Intervention: When Marcus's family reached out, he was weeks away from sentencing. Our team acted quickly to provide a "FASD Informed Justice Defense" strategy that changed the courtroom dynamic.
A Fairer Outcome: The judge accepted the Harrison's Hope recommendations. Instead of a custodial sentence that would have likely led to further trauma and recidivism, Marcus was granted a conditional discharge with FASD-specific supports.
Today, Marcus isn't behind bars; he is working part-time with a job coach and has not had a single legal "run-in" in over a year. He is finally being supported as a person with a disability, rather than a criminal.
"The justice system is built for people who can remember rules and consequences. Marcus can't do that. Harrison's Hope was the only voice in the room that actually understood his brain, and they quite literally saved his future." — Marcus's Family
Advocacy Beyond the Courtroom: We believe that justice is only served when a person's disability is understood. We work tirelessly to educate judges, lawyers, and police services to ensure the law works for our community, not against it.
At Harrison's Hope, we believe that the journey is better when we are not alone. Our commitment to creating FASD-informed communities is reflected in our active engagement with educational institutions, healthcare providers, and provincial partners. Below are the milestones and highlights of our recent community outreach and advocacy efforts.
We are dedicated to fostering inclusive environments where students living with FASD can thrive.
By integrating FASD knowledge into clinical settings, we ensure families receive the specialized navigation they deserve.
Our advocacy extends to provincial networks and Indigenous child and family welfare organizations to ensure systemic change.
Our advocacy extends to global networks for FASD and child/family welfare organizations to ensure systemic change.
Our founder, Mary, was invited to collaborate and moderate an Across the Pond Collaboration with Caregivers, FASD Awareness UK and A Disability Lawyer in the UK to present a panel discussion with Lived Experts and their employment experience, during Neurodiversity Celebration Week in the UK.
Integrating Research, Practice, and Policy Around the World, in Seattle, WA in April, 2026. Mary presented and participated in three separate workshop presentations on the topics of Education and Supporting Students living with FASD, Life & Relationships with a Partner who lives with FASD, and The Many Hats Presentation.
Our Executive Director, Mary had the pleasure to introduce Harrison's Hope to families in the UK and responded to a Question and Answer period about supporting individuals during their lifespan.
Community updates, event announcements, and caregiver support resources shared with our growing network.
Visit Our PageVisual stories, educational content, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our programs and community impact.
Follow UsProfessional updates, partnerships, and thought leadership on FASD-informed care and organizational development.
Connect With UsEducational videos, testimonials, and expert talks
Watch VideosStories and insights from the FASD community
Learn MoreArticles, resources, and updates from our community
Read Our Blog"Harrison's Hope is a beacon for families navigating the FASD storm. Together, we are transforming despair into hope and isolation into community."
Families and caregivers share how Harrison's Hope has made a difference.
