Monday Room is a small, self-directed studio space in Stratford, Ontario for neurodivergent teens who thrive in calm, low-pressure environments.
Participants can work on personal projects, use studio materials, or simply spend time alongside others — as much or as little as feels right on any given day.
The space is open after school from 4-6 PM on Tuesdays
Maximum 8 members.
What Happens Here?
Creative Projects
Art, crafts, sewing, building, studying, writing and other personal interests.
A Calm Environment
A low-demand space where participants can engage at their own pace.
Connection
Be in the same room with people who understand flexible ways of being together.
Who is the Monday Room For?
Monday Room is designed for teens ages 12–17 who feel more comfortable outside conventional group settings. This might include teens who are:
• Autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent
• Experiencing anxiety or school avoidance and looking for low-pressure ways to find community
• Simply more at home in quieter, lower-demand environments
A diagnosis is not required. What matters most is whether the space feels like a good fit.
Monday Room welcomes teens of all genders.
A self-directed, democratic approach
Monday Room is shaped by self-directed learning principles — the belief that young people learn best when they follow their own curiosity, at their own pace, in environments where they feel safe.
In practice this means:
• Participation is always optional
• Personal interests are taken seriously
• Members help shape the space over time
• Rules and agreements are developed by the group, not handed down
• There is room for different energies, communication styles, and ways of being
Schedule
After school program Tuesdays 4-6 PM
The studio follows the school calendar for holidays and breaks (winter break, March break, statutory holidays).
Maximum 8 participants
Location: Knox Church in Stratford, Ontario
Facilitated by Sara Wilken, RSW, MSW, PhD
Membership Fee
Founders rate: no cost until the new year
Beginning January 2027 the fee is $100 for each seven week block.
How to Join
Start with a conversation
Email or book a short call so you can ask questions and get a sense of whether the space feels like a good fit. No commitment required.
Try a session
If it seems right, your teen is welcome to join a session and see how it feels in person. No pressure to continue.
Enroll