Life is a series of journeys, and today marks the end of one and the beginning of another. After more than a decade of sharing stories, connecting families, and building a community, Laval Families Magazine will be closing its doors. This milestone is filled with gratitude for the incredible experiences and the countless lives touched along the way. But as one chapter ends, another exciting one begins. Founder Luigi Morabito is thrilled to announce the launch of the LUPO Wolf Sanctuary in the Chaudière-Appalaches region. This new project represents a fresh start and a continued commitment to creating meaningful and impactful experiences.

Luigi Morabito's journey was shaped by a challenging upbringing in Montreal as the son of Italian immigrants. Raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for him, Morabito learned the values of perseverance and integrity early on. Despite a modest childhood, he excelled in school, developed a love for animals, and honed his people skills as a teen. Later, he built a successful career in sales, but at 42, he chose to prioritize family, becoming a full-time single father to his two daughters. This decision marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

The Birth of Laval Families and it’s objectives:
In 2007, Luigi Morabito, consulting for the anglophone community in Laval, noticed a lack of English resources and decided to create a magazine to address this need. Leveraging his expertise in business, sales, and marketing, he spent three years researching and preparing for the launch of Laval Families Magazine in 2012.

The magazine aimed to give back to the community by educating, motivating, and inspiring readers. It focused on positive, community-driven stories rather than sensationalism, offering resources on health, wellness, education, and family life, all free to the public.

Cut to Today:
Laval Families grew beyond expectations, becoming a vital link between the community and its residents. Despite offers to merge with other outlets, the magazine remained independent, preserving its unique vision and integrity. It was recognized for bringing impactful, positive stories to the community, making a lasting difference in the lives of its readers.

The Young Authors Contest
More than just a magazine, Morabito and his team launched many projects that had a significant impact both on the participants and readers. For instance, they created The Young Authors Contest from scratch in 2012. This was a province-wide annual writing and publishing contest for students at the elementary and high school levels, culminating in an elaborate awards gala. It also established strategic partnerships with local businesses, providing educational and networking opportunities.

To this day, Morabito still receives messages from parents and educators thanking him.

Many shared the positive benefits the contest brought. One parent commented on how the competition motivated his son and helped him develop confidence in himself. He says the experience was once in a lifetime and remains one that he and his family will always cherish.

Other parents share updates since the competition, noting how the competition helped open doors for their child. The children themselves also write to Morabito, thanking him because the competition helped them in many ways and broadened their horizons. The Young Authors Contest was never about making money. Since children are the leaders of tomorrow, why not give them more of a voice? The initiative was about a lot more than just writing and had a significant and positive impact on so many.

Other Laval Family Highlights
Morabito and his team have created many other worthy events such as the Teacher Appreciation Contest, the summer camp Expo as well as the ever-useful Spring/Summer Camp Guides. In addition, Morabito produced and co-hosted Laval Families weekly television show segment in conjunction with TV Laval, which brought topics and special guests of interest to the community at large. They created 27 episodes packed with information and inspiring stories.

And it didn’t stop there. Morabito also wanted to support the city of Laval as well as local comedians. Though Laval is the third largest city in Quebec, he noticed that most festivals and entertainment bypass it and focus on Montreal and Quebec instead. Morabito teamed up with comedian Franco Taddeo and built a business plan, found sponsors, launched the first edition of Festival Laval Laughs (Festival Laval en Rires) in 2018.

All these efforts helped the community in many ways. Readers still reach out and thank the team for particular articles that helped them. Morabito fondly remembers one of his favourite articles that highlighted mental health and featured a single mother raising two autistic boys. He also remembers a story about fibromyalgia that resonated with many. Most media outlets don’t share stories like this but they’re important nonetheless. There’s often an underdog element in these stories that help celebrate ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It helps bring awareness to issues that are relevant to many.

The Legacy of Laval Families:
Laval Families Magazine leaves behind a legacy of positive change for both adults and youth, driven by Luigi Morabito's desire to make a difference rather than seeking fame or profit. Readers appreciated the honest, inspiring content, with some reading every issue cover to cover. The magazine encouraged dreaming big and thinking outside the box, resonating deeply with its audience.The magazine also served as a platform for staff growth, offering opportunities to young writers and fostering a close-knit team. Morabito himself grew as a father and entrepreneur through this journey, turning his dream into a successful reality.

Despite its success and loyal readership, the rise in digital media and 

increasing print costs have made it no longer viable to continue in print. While the magazine will cease circulation, its website and resources will remain, marking the end of an era but preserving its impact.

Thank you
It’s important to recognize that it takes a village. Many people got involved and contributed to the success of Laval Families Magazine. Though it’s impossible to thank every individual because there are so many, certain key figures who had a significant impact need to be acknowledged. From the very beginning, Morabito had two mentors who taught him how to run a magazine, Frank Sorrentino and Carlos Madruga. Manon Gervais also helped out quite a bit in the early stages.

The Laval Families team came together and evolved over the years, people wanted to be part of something fresh and exciting. The staff was reliable and dedicated. The editors played a vital role including Lisa Cipriani, Francis Geronimo, Beverly Beauvais, and Melissa Mignacca. “Being a part of Laval Families Magazine for more than 10 years was truly like being part of an extended family; one in which all members work together to bring impactful people and stories to the community,” says Lisa Cipriani, former editor in chief.

Countless journalists and marketing agents also contributed to the magazine. The graphic artists also played a big role, from Jean-Denis Boillat to Jorge Porta. To this day, Morabito still writes reference letters for many of them to help them in the next stage of their career. The photographers were equally important, including Despina Ionidis, Marcello Taboata, and Lise and Francois Fournier. In addition, hundreds of educators volunteered and helped during the various events, and the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board must be thanked for their incredible efforts. In addition, the magazine had the support of the entire city of Laval from the mayor to the administration. But most of all, the magazine could not have been such a success without you, dear readers.

A Visionary Attitude Leads to a New Dream
So, what’s next? As the saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens. It’s time to make even more space for a different project Morabito holds close to his heart. He’s been working on it for years while Laval Families was still going strong.

In 2017, he had a profound experience that forever changed him. While making his yearly trip out West to Golden, British Columbia, he found himself in a wolf sanctuary. He interacted with some of the wolves and the encounter blew him away. He was able to walk with them and soon, they were kissing and licking him.

His fascination and love for wolves began to grow. A year later, he volunteered at Centre Refuge Nymous in Ste-Béatrix, Quebec. Morabito learned about caring for wild animals, including wolves. He became very close to a wolf cub named Chenoa. He interacted with her and howled and sang with her. He wanted others to also experience that magic and created guided tours which became a success. He gave 2-4 tours every weekend for over 3.5 years, educating groups about the animals on site.

During this period, Morabito began reassessing his own life. He had worked very hard as a single father and had raised two independent, strong daughters. And now, there was space for him to do something for himself that truly makes him happy. Other than family and friends, nature and wolves were his passions. He was in the best shape of his life and knew he had the energy to pursue his biggest dream yet: to create the province’s first multifunctional wolf education and sanctuary site.

Morabito began to make plans but they get stalled during the pandemic. Once he was able to fly again in 2022, he visited zoos in Quebec and Canada, and volunteered at over a dozen zoos and wildlife refuges. He also collaborated with the International Wolf Center and the Wolf Conservation Center, the 2 biggest wolf education centers in the world. To further his education, he was also part of an expert tour from national Yellowstone National Park.

The LUPO Wolf Sanctuary
His dream began to materialize. He found the right land in the Montmagny Regional County Municipality within the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Quebec. He made sure he had the right zoning and got to work. Soon, the LUPO Wolf Sanctuary came into being.

His first mandate? To dispel the myth that wolves are malevolent animals. “We’re fighting against a tidal wave of legends and myths that pain wolves in a negative light,” Morabito says. “Wolves never had a chance since the 13th century. Add climate change on top of that, it’s crucial that we address those issues now.” He fondly remembers one child who attended a guided tour and said that wolves eat princesses. But after the tour, that child changed his mind and was no longer afraid.

A large part of LUPO’s mission is to bring people together with the common goal of conservation and education, as well as raising awareness about environmental issues. Another objective is to educate the public about the importance of wolves to ecosystems around the globe. Without them, human and animal populations would be negatively impacted.

That’s why it’s critical to promote wolf conservation and education. The LUPO Wolf Sanctuary covers that. But it also offers guests an incredibly unique vacation destination at the same time.

A Must-See Destination
The Sanctuary is open 12 months a year. There are so many offered activities that you can visit the sanctuary multiple times yet do completely different things. All visitors are welcome from school groups to families to nature and wildlife enthusiasts.

The sanctuary consists of an outdoor amphitheatre and educational center that can cater a host of on-site workshops, conferences, and presentations. Through the observation center, guests can see wolves up close or from afar. It’s a chance to take a glimpse into the magical world of wolves as they play, eat, run, and howl.

At the LUPO Wolf Sanctuary, summer brings a host of outdoor adventures, including camping and glamping options that immerse guests in the heart of nature. This past summer, the 'Sleep with the Wolves' glamping experience became the sanctuary’s most popular attraction, earning rave reviews from delighted guests. Due to its overwhelming success, this unique lodging option will be available again in summer 2025.

The sanctuary offers a variety of tours and visits tailored to different interests and seasons, including family passes for a full day of exploration. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter, while themed activities and celebrations throughout the year add a special touch to your visit. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic and spend the entire day taking in the natural beauty of the site.

Visitors can admire and observe the four resident gray wolves on the sanctuary’s 73-acre land, as well as other wildlife such as coyotes, Canadian lynx, moose, deer, rabbits, wild turkeys, and a variety of songbirds and hummingbirds. Thanks to Morabito and his team, the area's rich biodiversity has been carefully preserved, offering an authentic and unforgettable experience for all.

The site is also perfect for team building exercises for all ages including company retreats. There’s a certain peace that comes with disconnecting from social media and immersing yourself in nature and wildlife. In fact, zoo therapy as well as yoga and meditation retreats are also available.

Just like with Laval Families Magazine, the LUPO Wolf Sanctuary has exceeded Morabito’s expectations, and it’s only the beginning. But once again, it takes hard work and a dedicated team. Fulfilling a project of this magnitude requires long hours and a certain amount of sacrifice. Morabito is more than happy to give it his all because he strongly believes in the cause. On top of that, it brings him joy. He still gets excited when he sees the wolves and each time he sees a family and their children visiting. That joy is contagious and transfers to everyone who visits the site.

At the end of the day, life is short. Throughout the years, Morabito learned that it’s best not to let fear rule your life. That attitude helped fuel the determination and perseverance it took to get this project afloat. Now that it’s here, there’s still more work to be done but Morabito is ready for it. As with everything he does, he seeks to make a difference and inspire. He strives to make life as full of gratitude and peace as possible. Most importantly, he wants to do his part to leave this world a better place, helping pave the way for future generations.

“If you believe it, you can do it,” Morabito says. “Nothing is impossible- if I can do it, so can you.” Of course, you’ll have to do the hard work, take baby steps, and be patient. This visionary ‘cup half full’ attitude is what directs him in everything he does. If you have a dream, will you listen to that dream and take a chance? With every leap Morabito makes, he hopes it inspires others to also take leaps in their own lives.