About Our Charity
Noah's Club House
Created in Honour of Noah Roche
Noah Roche and his identical twin brother, Nicholas, were born prematurely on July 12, 2003. Complications shortly after birth, including a stroke, left Noah with a profound hearing loss as well as a diagnosis of severe cerebral palsy. As Noah grew older and bigger, his family became aware of the challenges of raising a child with special needs. His mother, Brigitte Berneche, always thought there should be more financial resources available to families with children with special needs.
On February 12, 2011, Noah passed away suddenly at the young age of 7. Brigitte felt she needed to turn this tragedy into something positive. In 2014, she created a fund in Noah’s honour with the purpose of providing financial assistance for families with children like her son. In January 2017, Noah’s Clubhouse received its charity status.
Our Purpose
To promote health by providing children affected by cerebral palsy with financial assistance for therapies to manage the conditions of cerebral palsy, the costs of which are not covered by government or other service agencies.
We have provided funding of over $305,000 to 540 families in Ontario since 2018!
To see how your money is being spent, please feel free to review our financial statements on the CRA website >
Our Staff
All directors, including the founder, donate their time to Noah’s Clubhouse. Student volunteers also assist during various fundraisers during the year.
Our Board Of Directors
Madeline Aarts
Director
Madeline is a dedicated pediatric physiotherapist with a strong foundation in leadership, research, and community involvement. She holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph and a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto.
Madeline brings to the table advanced clinical training, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a passion for helping children and families thrive. With expertise in evidence-based rehabilitation approaches, including the Therasuit Method, she combines critical thinking, creativity, and compassion to support meaningful, goal-driven outcomes.
Her experience in mentorship, leadership development, and collaborative care positions her to contribute thoughtfully and strategically to Noah’s Clubhouse’s mission, ensuring children and families receive empowering, high-quality support within their community.
Tyler Alden
DIRECTOR
Tyler is a recent graduate of McMaster University with a Bachelor of Commerce, and an aspiring CPA who works for an accounting firm in Markham. In his free time, he enjoys being active, or spending time at his cottage all year long, whether it be floating in the water, fishing on the ice, or even making maple syrup in the spring. Playing competitive hockey throughout his youth set the foundation for his love of sports and teamwork.
When possible, he enjoys volunteering for charities, particularly ones that benefit children. He is beyond excited and privileged to be a part of Noah’s Clubhouse!
Brigitte Berneche
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Brigitte is the proud mother of identical twin boys, Nicholas and Noah. Her son Noah had severe cerebral palsy and is the inspiration for the creation of Noah’s Clubhouse. Her heart is set on making a difference in the lives of families with children living with cerebral palsy.
Brigitte is a CPA, CA, ICD.D and has worked in both public companies and large accounting firms, specializing in corporate tax. She currently sits on the boards of a couple of TSX listed mining companies. She holds an Honours B.A. (Specialist Management Programme) from the University of Toronto. She has earned the CPA Canada's Audit Committee Certificate.
She is fluent in French and English and has a working proficiency in Spanish.
SusanTaylor
DIRECTOR
Susan Taylor is a long-time Markham resident, Realtor, and community advocate who brings both professional expertise and lived experience to Noah’s Clubhouse. For nearly 20 years, she has led her own real estate business, drawing on her prior career in marketing and communications with IBM Canada, Lenovo, and Apple Canada. Susan is known for her creativity, resilience, and strong community connections, qualities she now looks forward to contributing to Noah’s Clubhouse.
As the mother of two young men—one with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia—Susan understands firsthand the challenges and triumphs of families raising children with special needs. This personal perspective fuels her commitment to helping Noah’s Clubhouse continue to provide meaningful support and opportunities for its members and their families.
Deeply rooted in her community, Susan has served in leadership roles with local residents’ associations, school councils, and the Markham Village BIA. She also actively supports organizations such as the Markham Food Bank, Yellow Brick House, Evergreen Hospice, and 100 Women Who Care. With her entrepreneurial drive, event-planning savvy, and a wide network of community and business contacts, Susan is excited to help Noah’s Clubhouse grow its reach and impact.
Stephanie Vettese
DIRECTOR
Stephanie is a Registered Physiotherapist with a passion for pediatric rehabilitation and a deep commitment to helping children with disabilities reach their goals and participate in the activities that bring them joy. She holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences with an Honours Specialization in Rehabilitation Sciences from Western University and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto.
Through her work as a pediatric physiotherapist, Stephanie has had the privilege of working alongside children and their families as they navigate a wide range of developmental and neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy. She is passionate about looking beyond what a child may find difficult and instead focusing on what is possible - helping children build the strength, mobility, confidence, and skills they need to participate more fully in everyday life and the activities they love.
Stephanie joined the board of Noah’s Clubhouse because she believes that every child should have the opportunity to access the therapy and support they need to thrive. She has seen firsthand the difference that access to therapy can make for children and families, and she is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to an organization that helps make those opportunities possible. Stephanie is excited to bring her clinical experience, passion for pediatric care, and commitment to supporting children and families to the Noah’s Clubhouse community.
