Every April, we take a moment to celebrate Autism Awareness Month and listen, learn, and support the autism community. Autism is a spectrum, which means it can look different from person to person. But at its core, it’s just one of the many ways people experience the world. And at Herbaland, we believe there’s beauty in that diversity.

Inclusivity and community involvement are at the heart of what we do. Whether it’s making healthy living more accessible through our plant-based gummies, donating over $200,000 annually to charities and local communities, or creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, we want Herbaland to be a place where people can show up as they are and grow.

Kyle and Leslie’s story

One of the most meaningful parts of our journey has been partnering with Aspire Richmond, an organization that supports individuals with developmental disabilities. Through this partnership, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming two incredible team members: Kyle and Leslie.

From day one, Kyle and Leslie brought their own unique energy to the Herbaland family. And since then, we’ve seen them blossom.

“Kyle used to be shy and withdrawn but has now become chatty and shows self-confidence,” said Rolando from Aspire. “Same with super-shy Leslie, who talked about nothing but his dancing moves at your holiday party last December. So funny. This change reflects how Herbaland provided a supportive and enabling environment for them to discover their potential.”

“Had a chance to chat with Kyle at the Cheers to Inclusion event last week, and he shared how much he’s grown at Herbaland. We’re forever grateful for the opportunities you afforded Kyle and Leslie.”

It’s stories like these that remind us why inclusion matters—and how powerful it can be when people feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

We’re so proud to have Kyle and Leslie on our team. Watching them grow has been one of the highlights of our journey.

A Small Reminder With Big Impact

As we celebrate Autism Awareness Month, let’s carry these stories with us and remember: inclusion doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be intentional. Thank you Aspire Richmond for working towards making the world more inclusive, and for giving us this opportunity as well!

Going forward, one simple thing we can all do is be mindful of how we talk. Let’s avoid using “autistic” casually or negatively to describe someone’s behaviour. Language matters, and it’s one small step toward a more respectful, inclusive world.

From all of us at Herbaland, thank you for taking the time to read and reflect with us, and Happy Autism Awareness Month 💙