Répit Emergo & Fondation Emergo

What Répit Emergo & Fondation Emergo does

Répit Emergo is a Montreal-based nonprofit (OBNL, NEQ 891299398RR0001) founded in 1976 by parents of the Association des enfants autistes du Québec as the first summer camp dedicated to autistic persons in Quebec. Its core function is delivering specialized respite services to families living with autism spectrum disorder, addressing both caregiver burnout and the limited availability of safe, adapted recreational environments for autistic individuals. The organization serves approximately 200 member families and delivers over 2,000 nights of respite annually.

Service delivery is built around four programs differentiated by participant autonomy and support intensity: Émergence (socialization, 1:1–1:2 ratio), iDÉFIx (1:1 ratio for participants with significant behavioral needs), Adaptatou (1:2 ratio for children aged 6–17 with higher socialization capacity), and Un rêve à réaliser (1:3 ratio for autonomous autistic individuals aged 16+). Programs run as multi-night summer sessions (4–10 nights) at Camp de Grandpré in Otterburn Park and at Villa Marie-Rose in Val-des-Lacs, plus weekend school-year respites. The operating model is service-based rather than technology-based; no proprietary software platform, app, API, or AI/ML capability is disclosed. Differentiated knowledge assets include ARASAAC-derived social scenario pictograms, individualized participant intervention plans, and a curated activity bank of 183+ adapted activities.

The revenue model is a hybrid nonprofit mix: 38% from government grants and subsidies, 34% from donations and fundraising routed through Fondation Emergo (created 2011), and 28% from family fees. Family fees are materially subsidized — actual cost is a minimum of $650 per night, while families pay approximately 20% of that, with summer camp sessions priced at $1,485–$1,640, school respites at $330–$850, and annual membership at $35. The go-to-market is community-led, driven by parent word-of-mouth and referrals, with website, email newsletter, and Instagram as the principal marketing surfaces. The organization employs 19 permanent staff (Director General Pierre Ricard, Deputy Director Eric Andrade, Coordinator of Respite Services Laurie Dufour, Administrative Assistant Fatou Diop, among others) and supplements with 100+ seasonal university and CEGEP student companions each summer.

Name

Répit Emergo & Fondation Emergo

Legal name

Répit Emergo

Website

https://repitemergo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Répit Emergo is a Montreal-based nonprofit founded in 1976 that provides specialized autism respite services to 200+ Quebec families through summer camps, school-year weekend respites, and four autonomy-tailored programs, operated at two facilities with 19 permanent staff and seasonal student companions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Respite Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Planned / Scheduled Respite Care (HSABAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Respite Care for Adults with Disabilities / Special Needs (HSABAGAI), Respite Caregiver Staffing & Coverage (HSABAMAF), Respite Care for Families of Children with Disabilities (HSAAAIAL)

Keywords

• Autism respite services
• Specialized summer camps
• Caregiver support programs
• School respite weekends
• Autism family services

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Subsidies: Government grants represent 38% of revenue, providing substantial operational funding that enables subsidized family fees.
2. Fundraising and Donations: Donations and fundraising campaigns through Fondation Emergo represent 34% of revenue, enabling the organization to offer services at approximately 20% of actual cost to families.
3. Family Stay Fees: Family fees represent 28% of revenue. Summer camps charged at $1,485-$1,640 per session, school respite at $330-$850 per weekend, with membership at $35/year. Real cost is minimum $650/night, families pay approximately 20%.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Répit Emergo provides specialized respite services for families living with autistic persons through four core programs (Émergence, iDÉFIx, Adaptatou, Un rêve à réaliser) delivered at two camp facilities in Quebec (Camp de Grandpré in Otterburn Park and Villa Marie-Rose in Val-des-Lacs). Services include 9-10 night summer camp stays, school-year weekend respites, and Christmas break programs with staff-to-participant ratios ranging from 1:1 to 1:3. Families pay approximately 20% of actual cost through a subsidized model funded by government grants (38%), donations (34%), and family fees (28%).

Product overview

Répit Emergo operates as a specialized respite service organization offering four core programs (Émergence, iDÉFIx, Adaptatou, and Un rêve à réaliser) designed for autistic individuals across all ages and autonomy levels. The programs range from intensive 1:1 support to semi-autonomous group experiences, delivered at two primary facilities: Camp de Grandpré in Otterburn Park and Villa Marie-Rose in Val-des-Lacs. Additional offerings include summer respite sessions (June-August), school-year weekend respites (September-May), and free resource tools including an activity bank (183 activities) and an autism resource navigator (362+ resources). Fondation Emergo, created in 2011, ensures the organization's financial sustainability through fundraising and partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Émergence Socialization program with 1:1 to 1:2 participant-to-supporter ratio providing highly individualized support for autistic participants of all ages with lower autonomy levels. Activities conducted in subgroups of four with sustained supervision.
• iDÉFIx Intensive support program with 1:1 ratio for autistic individuals requiring close supervision due to significant behavioral challenges, providing the highest level of individualized attention among all programs.
• Adaptatou Integration program with 1:2 ratio focused on developing autonomy for children aged 6 to 17 with high socialization capacity, featuring playful, creative, and discovery activities.
• Un rêve à réaliser Autonomy program with 1:3 ratio for autonomous autistic individuals aged 16 and older, with participants living in small groups and participating in daily activities within a normalizing environment at Villa Marie-Rose in Val-des-Lacs.
• Summer Respite Sessions (Répits estivaux) Summer respite sessions running from June to August at Camp de Grandpré in Otterburn Park, offering 9-10 night stays across five summer sessions with options for 4-5 night half-stays, providing specialized programming and overnight lodging for autistic participants.
• School Respite Sessions (Répits scolaires) School-year weekend respite sessions from September to May at Camp de Grandpré, offering 2-night ($330), 3-night ($485), and special 5-night Christmas respite ($850) options, with transport provided from the Montreal office.
• Annual Family Membership Annual $35 family membership required to access all Répit Emergo services, providing access to communications, registration for respite sessions, and eligibility for summer and school respite programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ families receive membership and services annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered historical, core and supporting.

• Camp MaristehistoricalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Partnership with Camp Mariste enabled launch of Émergence (socialization), Adaptatou (integration), and Un rêve à réalise (autonomy) programs. Shared camping expertise expanded service offerings.
• Association des camps du Québec (ACQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACQ provides camp certification program with 80+ quality and safety standards. Certification ensures Emergo meets rigorous requirements for safety, supervision, programming, and food services, providing families assurance of quality care.
• ARASAAC (Government of Aragon)supportingTechnology or IntegrationUses ARASAAC pictogram database for visual communication tools, social scenarios, and activity materials. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA licensed pictograms help communicate with non-verbal participants and create accessible visual schedules.
• Association des enfants autistes du QuébechistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding parent organization from which Répit Emergo originated in 1976 as first autism summer camp in Quebec. Parent founders established organization's family-centered mission.
• Répit QuébecsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial respite coordination initiative optimizing quality and accessibility of respite services. Emergo listed as member organization in resource navigator.
• Fédération québécoise de l'autisme (FQA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial autism federation providing resource directory, training, and awareness. Emergo listed as member organization in FQA network.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Répit Québec: Quebec provincial respite coordination initiative optimizing accessibility and quality of respite services across the province. Listed in their network as a member; comparable mission of expanding respite access for caregivers of persons with disabilities in Quebec.
• Fédération québécoise de l'autisme: Provincial federation coordinating autism advocacy, training, and resource navigation across Quebec. Emergo is listed as a member organization in FQA's network; FQA is comparable as a Quebec autism ecosystem leader but focuses on coordination rather than direct respite service delivery.

Regional players

• Kerry's Place Autism Services: Ontario-based autism services organization providing respite, residential, and community programs. Comparable service mix (respite for autistic individuals and families) but operating primarily in a different province.
• Sinneave Family Foundation: Calgary-based foundation supporting autistic youth and adults through programs, research, and respite services. Comparable in delivering autism-specific family respite and transition support, though serving a different region.
• Pacific Autism Family Network: British Columbia-based hub delivering autism services, respite, and family support across the lifespan. Comparable service portfolio and family-centered mission, with similar dedicated facility model but in a different province.

Direct peers

• Giant Steps School: Montreal-based school and resource center for autistic students, offering educational, therapeutic, and family support services. Comparable as a Quebec autism-specialized organization serving families with similar demographics.
• Centre Miriam: Montreal-based nonprofit offering autism-specific services including respite, day programs, and residential support for children and adults with ASD. Directly comparable as a Quebec autism services organization with overlapping mission.
• Camp Massawippi: Quebec summer camp in Lennoxville serving children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism. Directly comparable residential camp model for special-needs populations in the same province.

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks Canada: National autism advocacy and services organization funding research, family services, and community programs. Comparable mission focus on autism family support, though operating at national scale through advocacy rather than direct service.
• Easter Seals Canada: National disability services organization providing respite, camping, and accessibility programs across Canada. Comparable as a broader disability-focused nonprofit offering camp-based respite experiences at greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/repitemergo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/repitemergo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Répit Emergo & Fondation Emergo