Aylmer cooperative ‘Créations Partage’ wins Découverte Jeunes Entrepreneurs award

Tashi Farmilo

In a growing community where young families often struggle with isolation and a lack of resources, one cooperative in Aylmer is changing the landscape for new and expecting parents. Créations Partage, founded just over two years ago by Chanel St-Louis, Hannah Zanovello, and Kaëlla Charette, has rapidly gained recognition as a unique support system, offering resources, workshops, and a welcoming space to connect. This week, the cooperative was awarded the “Découverte Jeunes Entrepreneurs” prize by the Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité, a milestone for the organization and a powerful endorsement of its work in perinatal and family support.

Créations Partage began as a shared dream between St-Louis and Zanovello, who both experienced first-hand the challenges of navigating early parenthood without community connections. “We were both new mothers, feeling the same need for a place where families could meet, share experiences, and find resources,” said St-Louis, now the cooperative's president and coordinator. Since its founding, Créations Partage has grown with the help of the CDR Outaouais-Laurentides and the addition of Kaëlla Charette, a seasoned doula who brought valuable expertise in perinatal care.

Today, Créations Partage operates as a cooperative de solidarité, with 13 active members offering an array of support services tailored to new parents, including lactation consulting, doula services, baby-wearing education, and sleep coaching. The cooperative’s activities have already impacted over 400 families in the past year alone, with many parents describing it as a safe, non-judgemental space where they feel part of a supportive community.

Each co-founder brings unique expertise to the cooperative’s programming. St-Louis, a former teacher, coordinates the cooperative while supporting new parents as a baby-wearing instructor, doula, and sleep specialist. Zanovello, a certified lactation consultant with La Leche League, has guided numerous families through breastfeeding and serves as the cooperative’s pedagogical advisor. Charette, who has over five years of experience as a full-spectrum doula, supports families through all stages of fertility and birth and now manages day-to-day operations for the cooperative.

Receiving the “Découverte Jeunes Entrepreneurs” award has been a major breakthrough for Créations Partage. “This recognition is a validation of the work we’ve done and the importance of our project,” said St-Louis. It is the only perinatal solidarity cooperative in Quebec, and the award has already begun to open doors for future funding and community partnerships. The timing of the award is particularly meaningful, aligning with the upcoming International Year of Cooperatives, which highlights the importance of cooperative initiatives like this one.

Looking ahead, Créations Partage is preparing to open a new physical space dedicated to its mission. This location will provide a permanent home for the cooperative’s workshops, community events, and parenting resources, including prenatal classes, yoga sessions, and creative workshops for parents. The founders envision it as a place where families can form bonds, learn from each other, and watch their children grow together.

To support this expansion, Créations Partage has launched a fundraising campaign with a goal of $15,000 to help cover renovation and equipment costs. The cooperative has already raised over $5,000 in the first week and hopes to reach its goal by the end of the year. Community members can contribute via Zeffy, with each donation helping to establish a lasting resource for Aylmer families.

For Créations Partage, the new space and the recognition from the Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité are just the beginning. “Our vision is to create an inclusive community of parents, leveraging shared knowledge and life experiences to support families at every stage,” said St-Louis. “This cooperative belongs to the community, and we’re excited to see how it will continue to grow.”