Chez Doris Announces the Re-Opening of Its Day Shelter on Weekends

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 13, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Chez Doris, a day refuge for women in difficulty in Montréal has resumed its weekend services. Thanks to funding provided by the Ministère de la Santé et des services sociaux (MSSS), which released its 2015-2020 inter-ministerial plan, « Mobilisés et engagés pour prévenir et réduire l'itinérance », to prevent and reduce homelessness, the Agence de santé et des services sociaux de Montréal confirmed a maximum of $35,000 for our day center in 2014-2015. It also confirmed recurring funding of $80,000, effective from 2015-2016, for our day center services and $25,000 for our financial management program.

An additional $25,000 will come from the City of Montréal. While we wait for these funds to become available, Chez Doris has re-opened its weekend services as of February 1^st, thanks to a $25,000 emergency fund donation provided by CN allowing Chez Doris to urgently re-open the refuge during the cold winter months. As well, Chez Doris also received an additional donation of $25,000 from CN to be used to bolster its Inuit program. 

We will be celebrating this good news with a St-Valentine's Day lunch for our clientele during which time, each will be offered gifts of new clothing.   

The Press is welcome as of 10 AM for a photo opportunity of the preparations and interviews before the event.

Date: February 14, 2015
Time: 10 AM – 12 PM
Location: 1430 Chomedey Street, two blocks east of Atwater

On May 31, 2014 the Board of Directors of Chez Doris had taken the difficult decision to close its facilities on weekends due to budgetary constraints. "This good news has lifted the spirits of the women who need our services as well as a safe place to be seven days a week. ", says Talar Dikijian, President of the Board of Chez Doris.

Weekend services include: Breakfast and lunch, hot coffee and the opportunity to talk to our caseworkers. As well, women have access to respite beds, showers, emergency clothing, hygienic products, emergency food bags, as well as activities. Additionally, our weekday services include: a financial management services program; an Inuit assistance program; health and mental health services; legal services; as well as educational and socio-recreational programs.

Chez Doris wishes to thank the MSSS, foundations, CN and other companies and individuals who financially supported the organization during the last eight months to make re-opening of our weekend services possible.

About Chez Doris:
Founded in 1977, Chez Doris is a day shelter for women in difficulty.  Its operating hours are now 7 days a week: from April 1 to October 31 (8:30 AM to 3 PM) and from November 1 to March 31 (8:30 AM to 4 PM).  Its drop-in program offers a safe environment for up to 100 women per day.   It helps address problems of loneliness, isolation and depression and offers programs to assist with their immediate needs related to coping with poverty, homelessness, mental illness and/or addictions. Between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014 Chez Doris received 25,856 visits (a 5.7% increase from last year), served 40,545 meals (a 9.5% increase), and received 6,147 calls for assistance (a 6.7% increase).

SOURCE Chez Doris Women's Shelter Foundation

For further information: Nivine Morcos, Communications Volunteer, Cell: 514-554-0833 Or Marina Boulos, Interim Executive Director, Cell: 514-654-7597