St-Hubert Group, the St-Hubert Foundation and Fondation Autiste & majeur launch inclusive project for autistic individuals
A truly innovative project
Montreal, Quebec, April 3, 2023 – St-Hubert Group, Fondation Autiste & majeur and the St-Hubert Foundation are kicking off their inclusion projects. A pilot project is launched today, with great pride, to enhance the dining experience of autistic customers at five specially adapted St-Hubert rotisseries. St-Hubert will also be developing employment, training and outreach strategies to support the inclusion of autistic individuals throughout the company, starting with special projects in its restaurants and in its food production plant in Boisbriand.
A tailor-made dining experience
On Sundays at noon for four consecutive weeks, five St-Hubert rotisseries will be welcoming and serving autistic individuals and their families in a supportive environment. This initiative to help create an optimal dining experience for all is being carried out with the support and guidance of Giant Steps, a leader in autism education, training and advocacy for the inclusion of autistic individuals in all sectors of society, for over 40 years. Staff at these restaurants will receive training to better serve and meet the needs of autistic individuals, responding to possible sensitivities by such measures as the dimming of lights, turning down music volume levels, offering preferred seating and providing sensory kits. A virtual tour of a typical rotisserie and various tools will be available online to help customers prepare for their visit.
Dates and locations:
The St-Hubert restaurants below will be open and eager to serve all families who wish to take part in this inclusive initiative on Sundays, April 16, 23, 30 and May 7, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is highly recommended that reservations be made to ensure the best possible experience.
10,520 Rue Lajeunesse, Montreal
7979 Boul. Newman, Montreal
555 Boul. Arthur-Sauvé, St-Eustache
1230 Rue Daniel Johnson Ouest, St-Hyacinthe
7352 Boul. Henri-Bourassa, Quebec City
Tailor-made jobs
To support Fondation Autiste & majeur’s mission to improve the quality of life and social integration of young adults with autism, St-Hubert will be offering adapted jobs at its Boisbriand plant. A specialist from Autisme Laurentides—an advocacy, self-help and mutual aid organization dedicated to defending the rights and interests of autistic people—will be brought in to supervise the work. In St-Hubert restaurants, Giant Steps will be supporting and coaching franchisees in the hiring and retention of employees. Fondation Autiste & majeur will support both organizations by funding their employment and inclusion projects.
“At St-Hubert, inclusion, respect for differences and a focus on family have been at the heart of all our decisions for 70 years now,” said Richard Scofield, president of St-Hubert Group and chair of the St-Hubert Foundation’s board of directors. “Not just on paper, but throughout our operations. Over the years, we’ve had the chance to diversify our activities and find new ways to bring joy and happiness to people. Our plants and restaurants are open to everyone, and we do our best to make sure that all our employees find THEIR place. That means taking into account their personal traits, their passions and sometimes their unconventional learning styles. These differences are assets, and we want to show that everyone can find fulfilment and contribute to society.”
“Our partnership with the St-Hubert Foundation allows us to play a strategic role in bringing together nonprofit organizations and the business community to develop initiatives aimed at the inclusion and professional integration of autistic adults,” said Charles Lafortune. “And with St-Hubert, we can push the envelope,” added Sophie Prégent. “They’re piloting a project aimed at giving autistic people the opportunity to go to a restaurant and enjoy a meal in a comfortable environment. Innovation is in their DNA!”
Charles, Lafortune, vice-président de la Fondation Autiste & majeur et
Richard Scofield, president of St-Hubert Group and chair of the St-Hubert Foundation’s board of directors
Photographer: Steve Caron
ABOUT FONDATION AUTISTE & MAJEUR
Fondation Autiste & majeur’s mission is to improve the quality of life and social integration of young adults with autism by funding programs that support lifelong development, skill retention and continued education. www.fondationautisteetmajeur.com/
ABOUT THE ST-HUBERT FOUNDATION
With the help of the St-Hubert network, the St-Hubert Foundation supports organizations that promote the well-being of families while embracing differences, sharing and inclusion. Thanks to its franchisees, employees from both divisions, customers and partners, the St-Hubert Foundation is helping communities thrive. Since 2012, almost 500 organizations have received its support and more than $8 million has been reinvested in local communities.
ABOUT ST-HUBERT GROUP
St-Hubert Group has over 6,000 employees across its Restaurants and Grocery Products Divisions. Its head office is in Boisbriand. Founded in Montreal in 1951, Les Rôtisseries St-Hubert Ltée now has over 120 rotisseries in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick, and serves more than 28 million meals a year. St-Hubert’s Retail Division manufactures and distributes more than 500 food products under various brands in grocery stores across Canada. The company has a long tradition of innovation and is committed to meeting the needs of its customers. www.st-hubert.com
-30-
Sources : Fondation Autiste & majeur | Groupe St-Hubert | Fondation St-Hubert Information and interview requests:
Josée Vaillancourt
Director, Communications and St-Hubert Foundation
T.: 450-688-4400, ext. 2104
Lyne Dutremble Senior Director of Operations and Chief Press Officer
Annexe lyne@annexe.media T. : 514 952-5047
Comments