Rowan Tree Collective
(Right) Rowan Murdoch-Gibson and other Rowan Tree Collective participants
Making Space for Adults with Autism
By Kaylee Lambert
For many of us, the future is a path well-worn: we might pursue post-secondary education, search for a career, and take on adult responsibilities. For folks with autism and other exceptionalities, however, that path can look a bit different.
“If you’re an individual in Thunder Bay who has autism or other exceptionalities, say you leave high school when you’re 20 years old and live to be 80—that’s 60 years with nothing to do,” says Rowan Tree Collective co-founder Michelle Murdoch-Gibson. “You have this very service-rich childhood where you’re regularly accessing special education, speech and language, and occupational therapy. Once you graduate high school, that just sort of disappears.”
When Murdoch-Gibson’s son, Rowan, first left high school, they struggled to find places for him to spend his time. She decided to leave formal employment and spend her days with Rowan, searching for opportunities to get involved in the community. Upon coming up short, Murdoch-Gibson decided to do it herself. Thus, Rowan Tree Collective was born, providing social and recreational opportunities for young adults with autism and other exceptionalities in an inclusive and welcoming space that fosters friendship, belonging, and a sense of community.
The program opened its doors in 2022 and has since gone from serving six families to over 30. The group consists of diverse individuals with a wide-spectrum of ability and develops participant-led programming under five branches of service: life skills, active citizenship, health and wellness, employment and volunteerism, and entertainment and recreation. Activities are wide-ranging and are chosen by group members, from holding cinema circles to learning how to vote.
One of the participants, Jimmy, is passionate about playing piano, and dreams of having his own concert one day. Asia is into health and wellness, and enjoys exercise, yoga, and anything musical. Chelsey enjoys fashion, going for walks, and attending sporting events. Will is a huge sports fan, acting as local sports reporter for Rowan Tree Collective’s news program, and is himself an accomplished Special Olympics athlete.
The most popular activities are anything related to food. Many participants have showcased strong emerging kitchen skills, some of whom may have never put those skills to use at home. Rowan Tree Collective partners with Dew Drop Inn every Wednesday to prepare sandwiches for vulnerable people in the community. Ingredients are provided by the Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA), and Rowan Tree participants prepare and package hundreds of sandwiches every week, hand-delivering them to Dew Drop Inn.
This enthusiasm for food also prompted Rowan Tree Collective to purchase Both Hands Wood-Fired Pizzeria & Bakery in 2023. When the bakery, situated across the street from Rowan Tree headquarters on Park Avenue, went up for sale, Murdoch-Gibson saw it as a match made in heaven. Not only is it an income source for the organization, but it has also allowed Rowan Tree Collective to develop its own employment training program where participants can build job skills, learn customer service, and earn their own paycheques. The organization’s long-term goal is to expand their kitchen; they’d like to acquire some commercial equipment to run their own in-house lunch program.
When asked what advice she has for other parents of children with autism, Murdoch-Gibson encourages a shift in perspective, emphasizing “presumed competence.” She admits that while it can be difficult, it’s important to step back and let adults be adults—they have opinions, even if they aren’t able to voice them directly.
“Here, we’re really moving towards the goal of presuming competence. Let them give it a shot before stepping in,” she says. “Rowan Tree Collective is a safe, welcoming space to do that, and the support is here if they need it.”
For more information about Rowan Tree Collective, visit rowantreecollective.ca. You can also visit their Facebook page to learn more about how you can support them during Autism Awareness Month, and to see Jimmy play piano.