LIVING BEYOND SHELTER
As part of the 2010 International Women’s Day activities, Deborah Torre, one of our residents, participated in the YWCA Canada “Living Beyond Shelter” project, featuring videos from women who have lived through violence.
Last November, nine women travelled to Ottawa with representatives of YWCA Canada to meet with members of Parliament and press for action on the issue of violence against women. ‘Living Beyond Shelter: Videos for Change” presents their issues, ideas and demands on film.
The first video has been shown at parallel sessions of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York. 
Last fall, YWCA Canada released a substantive report calling for the implementation of coordinated policies at all three levels of government and across parallel jurisdictions to prevent violence against women and to ensure their safety.
To view the Living Beyond Shelter videos on YWCA Canada’s YouTube channel, click here
To download the YWCA Canada Life Beyond Shelter
report, click here
For more information about this project or to take action on violence against women, click here
Deborah Torre seen here visiting the Parliament buildings with other participants of the « Living Beyond Shelter” project
Social Reintegration Residence -
A turning point program for women
The Women’s Y Residence program is designed for women experiencing a difficult period in their lives, who wish to participate in a social reintegration program. This program offers community living in a secure environment at an affordable cost.
Within a community life setting, a professional team of counsellors accompanies each participant in achieving goals that she has set out for herself, and as specified in her intervention plan.The social reintegration program consists of both individual consultations and group workshops as a means of reinforcing participants’ life skills while promoting their interpersonal capacities.
Learning to recognize their strengths and accomplishments, acquiring a greater measure of autonomy, and improving their quality of life on a social and economic level are just some of the challenges undertaken by the residents. In addition, residents benefit from a wide range of complementary services, including a weekly food bank, a volunteer centre, employment counselling services and personal development workshops.
Admission Criteria:
- be at least 18 years of age;
- 6 months of sobriety and stability (drugs and/or gambling);
- be able to live autonomously (meals, hygiene, ability to seek help if needed, etc.);
- be followed by medical and or psychosocial professionals if necessary;
- provide two references upon successfully completing the selection interview;
- be interested in, able and willing to participate in the Social Reintegration Program.
Contact:
Housing Services
Tel.: 514.866.9941, exts. 298, 324, 546, 517, 518 and 523
Services residentiels@ydesfemmesmtl.org ?
Community Housing
The Women’s Y Residential Services offers three community housing resources for women.
- Jardins du Y des femmes
- Maison Brin d'Elles
- Projet St. Michel
Les Jardins du Y des femmes
Les Jardins du Y des femmes is an affordable housing project developed by the Women’s Y of Montreal, funded by the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI) Program.
This innovative project provides stable, secure and accessible housing, as well as community support to women who have participated in other services of the YWCA Montreal and are now ready for a more autonomous life.
Admission Criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Be autonomous and capable of living alone;
- Living in temporary and/or unstable housing;
- Residing or having resided at the YWCA Residence for at least one year and/or having participated in a YWCA program for at least one year;
- Be referred by another women’s organization;
- Provide a minimum of 2 character references;
- Be able to pay the rental fees.
Contact:
Tel.: 514.861.6884
Maison Brin d’Elles and Projet St-Michel
Maison Brin d’Elles consists of 22 social housing units and Projet St-Michel has 12 studio apartments. All are specifically designed for women. Both projects are an initiative of the Fonds dédié à l’habitation communautaire (FCHD) and is managed jointly by the tenants, the Réseau Habitation Femmes, the Centre Dollard Cormier, Auberge Madelaine and the YWCA Montreal.
Maison Brin d’Elles and le Projet St-Michel provide affordable housing for women and much more.
Tenants have access to community support with an on-site counsellor who provides assistance with building management, the tenants’ committee and community life.
Maison Brin d’Elles
Located in the district of Ahuntsic/Cartierville, Maison Brin d’Elles received the prix Brique 2003 presented by the Fédération des OSBL d’habitation de Montréal. This project is an initiative of the Fonds dédié à l’habitation communautaire (FCHD) and managed jointly by the tenants, the Réseau Habitation Femmes, the Centre Dollard Cormier, and the YWCA Montreal.
Projet St-Michel
Located in the district of St-Michel, this most recent housing project will open its doors in January 2008. This project is also an initiative of the Fonds dédié à l’habitation communautaire (FCHD) and managed jointly by the Centre Dollard Cormier, Auberge Madelaine and the YWCA Montreal.
Admission Criteria:
- Be referred by a partner organization.