Embracing Neurodiversity

One of the most appealing aspects of Lions International is the wide variety of clubs that service-minded individuals can join. With 1.4 million Lions in more than 200 countries and geographic areas around the world, it’s no wonder that no two volunteers are the same. Each Lion enriches their club with different talents, expertise, connections and a fresh perspective that helps the group serve more people in need.

In Canada, the Montreal Autism Community Lions Club (MACLC) takes a special interest in promoting inclusion. The specialty club is home to more than 30 Lions, many who are autistic or neurodiverse. Autism advocates Lori-Ann Zemanovich, whose son is autistic, and Ebohon Idonije founded the MACLC in 2021 after identifying an opportunity among neurodiverse folks and caregivers in their community hunkering down during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new club allowed its members to turn their isolation into unity by celebrating what makes each Lion uniquely themselves while raising awareness and encouraging public acceptance.

“Our focus is not simply to bring light, awareness and advocacy for the needs, adversities and challenges of the special needs community, but also to welcome them as contributing members,” said Zemanovich, the club’s president. “Our club celebrates our members’ ability to contribute to society by creating opportunities for them to use their gifts to help others and empowering them to develop their own leadership skills.”

One of the club’s largest annual service projects is a school supply drive that benefits up to 300 underprivileged students in the Montreal area. Lions raise more than CA$6,000 to purchase items for students, pack everything together, then distribute the supplies to local schools.

“Our club celebrates our members’ ability to contribute to society by creating opportunities for them to use their gifts to help others, and empowering them to develop their own leadership skills.”—Club president Lori-Ann Zemanovich

The fundraising doesn’t stop there. Each year, MACLC Lions raise a total of CA$15,000 to support inclusivity and special needs programs, autism and the arts, artistic expression and Lions International areas of service such as childhood cancer, disaster relief, vision and hunger.

“It is in the giving, that we ourselves are enriched,” said Zemanovich. “By serving those in need, we not only enrich the lives of those we serve, but our own lives for having served them.”

Organized service projects aren’t the only way Lions serve their communities. Sometimes, just being part of a club is service in itself, making Lions feel positive about themselves and accepted by their peers. That is what Lion Zachary Hazan-Decruz, who is autistic, has experienced. He joined the MACLC during the summer of 2024 after attending a program hosted by the club. He was even recommended for the club’s Leadership Training Program, which mentors Lions who embody the will and spirit of serving others.

“To be a MACLC Lion means everything to me, from the sense of community and leadership, to being part of such great work,” said Hazan-Decruz. “From the bottom of my heart, it feels like I am part of a growing family that is always by my side. Even when things come up — like everyone has in life — I have the Lions club to rely on.”

Advocates say having a sense of community is especially important for people who are neurodiverse, as social outlets can sometimes be lost in adulthood after graduating from school and lacking the daily interactions with classmates and teachers they had grown accustomed to.

“By having a community to mobilize with and to be in solidarity with, that they know supports them, is the strongest foothold that autistic young adults can have to help them take whatever next steps they need to,” explained Zemanovich. “Whether it be finding housing, jobs or even more adult learning activities for them to take part in.”

MACLC leaders believe it is important for club members to build upon skills they developed as children, so they can continue to maintain their confidence in their journey of adulthood.

“The future is neurodiverse,” said Idonije. “Our community has taught me to be more aware of our differences, to accept, care and to love each other. The point is to promote and to foster positive relationships among each other, the community and the world at large.”

“Our club celebrates our members’ ability to contribute to society by creating opportunities for them to use their gifts to help others, and empowering them to develop their own leadership skills.”—Club president Lori-Ann Zemanovich

In addition to serving others and building meaningful relationships, MACLC Lions and leaders prioritize educating people everywhere to understand how inclusivity and diversity contribute to the enrichment that life has to offer. Rather than focusing on the adversities and limitations of those who are neurodiverse, the club hopes the world can appreciate the community’s unique abilities and contributions to humanity.

Since its founding, the MACLC has helped charter similar neurodiverse specialty clubs throughout Canada and around the world in places like France, Portugal and Nigeria.