The Adam’s P.A.C.E. program is celebrating a remarkable milestone this year: twenty years of inclusion, growth, and community, all born from the vision of one young man.

The program exists today because of Adam Taylor, an adult with Down syndrome who dreamed of attending college just like his peers. At the time, there were no post-secondary programs in Quebec that offered adults with special needs the opportunity to continue their education, develop independence, and participate fully in college life.

Adam believed deeply that such a space should exist — not only for himself, but for others who wanted to learn, belong, and contribute.

With the support of his family, friends, the Riverside School Board, and Champlain College Saint-Lambert, Adam helped create what would become the P.A.C.E. Program (Post-Secondary Alternative Community-Based Education).

It was a pioneering idea: a community-focused, life-skills-based program designed to help adults grow socially, personally, and academically at their own pace. Tragically, Adam passed away from leukemia just three months after the program opened its doors. Yet his dream did not end. His mother, Ann Taylor, became an unwavering supporter, deeply involved in keeping the program strong and true to Adam’s original vision.

Thanks to that dream and the community that rallied behind it, Adam’s P.A.C.E. has now seen more than 80 graduates pass through its doors in the last two decades.

Over the years, P.A.C.E. has become far more than an educational program. It is a place where adults with diverse needs learn essential life skills, explore their community, build friendships, and gain meaningful experiences.

Students participate in everything from financial literacy workshops to community outings, cooking, communication skills, fitness, and workplace learning through stage placements in local businesses and by taking one Champlain class per semester.

The program blends structure and flexibility, recognizing that each student grows in their own way and at their own rhythm. The result is a warm, supportive environment where learners develop confidence, independence, and a strong sense of identity.

The impact of Adam’s P.A.C.E. over the past twenty years can be seen not only in the skills students gain, but in the relationships they build and the connections they form with the wider community. Partnerships with local organizations have opened doors for volunteer opportunities and stage placements, strengthening community bonds and promoting true inclusion. Graduates leave the program with greater independence, stronger communication skills, and a deep sense of pride. Many maintain lasting friendships and continue contributing to their communities long after their time in P.A.C.E.

This year’s anniversary celebration will honour this history in a meaningful way. On April 16th, 2026, the program will host a special 20th anniversary event beginning with a 5 à 7 presentation celebrating the story, the growth, and the many milestones of the past two decades.

A photo museum will highlight every past graduate and showcase where they are today, offering a touching tribute to the lives that have been shaped by the program. The evening will end with a joyful dance with a DJ, giving current and former students the chance to celebrate together and create new memories.

As Adam’s P.A.C.E. looks toward the future, the program remains rooted in the same values that shaped its beginning: respect, dignity, community, and possibility. The next twenty years will continue to build on the foundation Adam dreamed of — expanding partnerships, strengthening life-skills learning, increasing stage opportunities, and continuing to offer adults with special needs a space where they can grow, thrive, and feel seen.

Adam’s P.A.C.E. is, at its heart, a legacy of love and inclusion. It stands as a testament to what can happen when one young man’s dream is heard, valued, and brought to life. Two decades later, Adam Taylor’s vision continues to shine through every student who walks through the program, every family supported, and every partnership formed. His dream changed lives — and continues to change them still. Here’s to the first twenty years, and to the many more still to come.

Champlain College Saint-Lambert is a proud partner of the Adam’s P.A.C.E program with Riverside School Board. To learn more, click here.