Above: Join us for Building Community on September 16, 2026, L’Arche Saint John’s annual gala fundraiser featuring special guest speaker Madison Tevlin and emcee Emily Rodger.
“I can’t believe it’s gonna be Madison!”
Recently I was having lunch with a core member and we were talking about our upcoming fundraiser, Building Community, on Sept. 16.
“I see her stuff on TikTok all the time!”, they exclaimed.
It was another confirmation that choosing Madison Tevlin as our special guest for our signature annual event was the right choice.
After all, our mission is to make known the gifts of adults with intellectual disabilities. Who better to platform as our special guest, than someone with an intellectual disability? Since the announcement, the validation that this was the right direction has come in droves.
Madison may be known by some from TikTok, but her reach – and résumé – are impressive far beyond. Her work as an acclaimed keynote speaker, content creator, actor, and advocate has earned international recognition, including awards from Cannes Lions, the United Nations, and the Webby Awards. She has also appeared in television and film, hosted her own talk show and podcast, and become a leading voice for accessibility, belonging, and inclusion.
You might recognize her, like I did, from her award-winning viral campaign, Assume That I Can. The punchy video challenges stereotypes: “Hey bartender, you assume I can’t have a margarita, so you don’t serve me a margarita, so I don’t drink a margarita. Your assumption become reality.”
I highly recommend you give the quick 1:30 video a watch, and can guarantee it will compel you to join us on Sept. 16 and see Madison live.
And who better to lead us through the evening than Emily Rodger? Returning to the stage as emcee, she is an executive coach, television host, speaker, and former elite athlete. Emily is the host of Atlantic Pursuits, a television series celebrating the people, places, and traditions that make Atlantic Canada unique, and was recognized as one of Atlantic Canada's Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business.
I do hope you’ll join us for what will be our sixth consecutive Building Community event, reaching sold-out audiences of more than 400 community, political and business leaders. Each person’s attendance helps us build a world where everyone belongs – where people with intellectual disabilities have a place to truly shine.
To learn more and get your ticket before they sell out, visit our website at www.larchesaintjohn.org/buildingcommunity
See you there!
Rachel Vander Vennen
Community Leader & Executive Director