Sandra Furfaro, Executive Director of the Montreal Fluency Centre (MFC), leads one of the city’s most respected non-profit clinics dedicated to helping children overcome language, communication, and learning challenges. Founded as a multidisciplinary centre uniting speech-language pathologists, psychologists, and educational therapists, the MFC provides expert assessment and therapy designed to unlock each child’s full potential—regardless of financial means.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
The Montreal Fluency Centre (MFC) is a non-profit multi-disciplinary clinic of Speech-Language Pathologists, Psychologists and Educational Therapists. We provide assessment and treatment for language, communication and learning differences. Our financial assistance program provides bursaries to offset the cost of services so that cost is not a barrier for children and students to reach their full potential.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Too many children in Quebec are slipping through the cracks of an overwhelmed public education system. Learning differences go undetected, communication challenges remain untreated, and literacy is often never fully achieved. One in five Canadian youth report having learning difficulties—yet public services are stretched thin, with long waitlists and limited access.
Children who struggle without support face higher rates of school dropout, which leads to severe, lasting effects: lower incomes, higher unemployment rates, greater risk of depression, and even shorter life expectancies. The repercussions also extend beyond the individual. These young people are less likely to participate in civic life, vote, volunteer, or contribute to their communities.
When did you start/join it?
I joined in 2023 after a career in the public education sector, first as a teacher, then as Vice Principal, Principal (of both elementary and secondary levels) and finally as the Director of Educational and Technology Services at the English Montreal School Board.
What made you want to get involved?
I believe in working closely together as a community of clinicians, students, and parents to create the conditions that will help students be globally aware, creative, lifelong learners, and to become successful in later life. As Executive Director I saw an opportunity to continue guiding the Centre in making a difference, in supporting all children with learning differences and needs.
What was the situation like when you started?
Our dedicated team has built a strong reputation for helping children find their voices—through expert assessment, personalized therapy, and innovative group and individual programs. But despite our commitment, we’ve faced real challenges. With limited funding, our small team was stretched thin, working tirelessly to meet growing needs.
Our donor community—and our annual Give the Gift of Speech campaign—have been instrumental in bridging the gap. Pre-COVID, children could attend weekly therapy sessions, both during and after school. Because of this, most children met their goals quickly and were discharged with significant progress.
How has it changed since?
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, far too many children fell through the cracks. Today, we’re seeing the impact: record-long waitlists, increasing gaps in public services, and more families turning to us—often as their only option.
Cuts to public education have made access to therapy even more difficult. As waitlists in the public system grow, the pressure on organizations like ours at the MFC has intensified. Since the pandemic, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in families who cannot bring their children during daytime hours, or who are struggling to afford private services while also meeting basic household needs.
Over the past three years, demand for our bursary fund has more than doubled. To ensure everyone receives some support, we’ve had to distribute the funds more thinly.”
What more needs to be done?
We are deeply grateful for every form of support. Right now, what we need most is sustainable, ongoing funding to continue serving children who simply cannot wait.
You can also make a difference by helping us raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding learning and communication differences. Share our educational content on social media, support our fundraising campaigns, and start conversations with those around you—many may not realize how many other families share similar challenges.
How can our readers help?
With your help, we can close the gap. We can ensure that every child who needs a help in language, communication and learning gets seen. Donate to our Gift of Speech Fund and share our campaigns and social media posts to:
– Remove cost as a barrier for families in need
– Reduce wait times from years to months
– Provide expert assessments and individualized therapy
– Create nurturing, secure environments where children feel safe to learn
– Attract and retain top professionals in education and therapy
– Strengthen our specialized after-school and summer programs
– Equip children with lifelong learning strategies
– Extend services to remote and underserved communities
– Enhance programs with innovative methods and technology
– Reduce stigmas associated with language and learning differences
Do you have any events coming up?
In May, we will hold an ice hockey tournament in Dorval – join our mailing list or follow our social media to join a team, bring your own team, come cheer on the players! All proceeds go to the Gift of Speech Fund.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
Our neighbour, Centre Greene, is an amazing community centre serving all ages with a variety of programs.
