Virtual Workout Room (VWR) is HERE!
the purpose of the Change Coalition
Our History
Founded in 2024 by Marcel Allen and Cynthia Irving, The Change Coalition was created from lived experience with invisible, hidden, and non-apparent disabilities, and a shared belief in the power of collaboration—uniting individuals and organizations to strengthen support and drive meaningful change.
Mission
To support Canadians with invisible, hidden, and non-apparent disabilities through advocacy, collaboration, and access to resources—reducing barriers and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.
Vision
A Canada where individuals with invisible, hidden, or non-apparent disabilities are fully supported, understood, and empowered to thrive without barriers.
how do we fulfill our mission
Wellness
Tax Clinics
Virtual Workout Room is a community‑driven initiative dedicated to accessibility, inclusion, and wellness. Alongside hosting a Virtual Workout Room that showcases adaptable workout routines for both home and gym settings, the program proudly gives back in meaningful ways.
To date, more than 150 handcrafted comfort quilts have been donated to non‑profit and charitable organizations across the Ottawa Valley, bringing warmth and care to those in need.
The initiative has also completed over 600 tax returns to support individuals living with hidden or invisible disabilities.
Through its bursary program, Virtual Workout Room further empowers individuals with invisible or hidden disabilities by helping reduce financial barriers and supporting long‑term wellbeing and independence.
Tax Clinics
Tax Clinics
The Change Coalition’s Free Tax Clinics help relieve poverty by providing no‑cost tax preparation services to low‑income individuals living with disabilities. By ensuring clients receive the benefits and credits they are entitled to, the clinics help improve financial stability while removing a significant barrier to support.
Beyond financial relief, the program also helps reduce the stress and anxiety often associated with filing taxes—especially for clients who have procrastinated or require multiple years of tax returns to be completed.
With patience, dignity, and understanding at the core of its approach, The Change Coalition has successfully completed over 600 tax returns, helping clients move forward with confidence and peace of mind.
Education
Education
The Change Coalition advances education by using its website and social media platforms as primary tools to increase public awareness and understanding of invisible and hidden disabilities. Through accessible online content—including articles, awareness campaigns, educational posts, and lived‑experience storytelling—the organization reaches a broad audience with clear, compassionate information that challenges stigma and misconceptions.
By sharing practical knowledge and real‑world perspectives digitally, The Change Coalition helps individuals, families, employers, and community members better recognize the realities of invisible disabilities and the barriers people face. Its web‑based education model ensures information is widely available, easy to access, and inclusive, empowering communities to build empathy, promote accessibility, and support meaningful social change without requiring in‑person programming.
This digital‑first approach allows The Change Coalition to continuously educate, inform, and engage the public while amplifying voices that are too often overlooked lives of others.