Mission for Her : Why It Matters So Much - Total of $307,030 raised for homeless women in Montreal Français
MONTRÉAL, May 14, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Over 200 guests attended the Old Brewery Mission's Mission pour Elles (Mission for Her) evening fundraiser on May 7 at Club Soda. The gala event raised a total of $307,030, in support of Montreal's vulnerable and homeless women. Twenty years ago, the Mission created the Patricia Mackenzie Pavilion because it saw a real need for services tailored to women's reality. Since then, these services have evolved greatly and today, the Patricia Mackenzie Pavilion is one of Canada's foremost resources that is focussed on helping homeless women reintegrate into society. Last year alone, it welcomed 600 women in need, including 301 for the first time.
The fundraiser was co-chaired by Johanne Berry, Co-Founder of Berry, Guilbault & Associés, and Christiane Germain, Co-President of Group Germain Hotels, who noted that the cause of women is one that is close to her heart. "Women who experience homelessness are invisible. They're rarely spoken about, and unfortunately the number of homeless women is increasing. Every woman, no matter her story, deserves respect, a home and to never go hungry," said Germain.
The event welcomed many prominent guests, including Marie-Josée Coutu, President of the Marcelle & Jean Coutu Foundation, Pierre Marc Johnson, former Quebec premier, and Suzie Miron, associate advisor for water, infrastructures and status of women to the executive committee of the City of Montreal.
The gala evening also celebrated the remarkable generosity of the Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation. The Mission's new Maison des voisines de Lanaudière located in the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood would not have been possible without its generous support. There are 10 new units available now in a charming, fully renovated residential building, which offers a true sense of community.
The Old Brewery Mission's Director of Women's Services, Florence Portes, highlighted the vital contribution of its donors and partners in the community, "Only through their support can we put an end to chronic homelessness in Montreal. Our vision is to provide a normal, homelike and dignified living environment to women who are in the process of reclaiming their rightful place in the community, and to do so in a community environment outside of our already overcrowded emergency services ", she stated.
Part of the funds raised will help the Old Brewery Mission invest in research initiatives, like interviewing women who use its services and collecting data to better understand their trajectories.
The Old Brewery Mission wishes to thank the volunteers who made this event possible, notably the members of the organizing committee, chaired by Dominique Lambert: Suzanne Caron, Mia Dumont, Muriel Joly, Diane Juster, Marianne Lemieux, Nathalie Léveillé, Jill Martis, Caroline Phaneuf, Florence Portes, Phoudsady Vanny, and Andrea Wolff. These efforts were supported by Kim Nguyen, Director of Development, and her team.
Mission pour Elles sponsors who helped raise $307,030 for the Old Brewery Mission's Women's Services include: AIMTA, Morris and Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation, Hôtel Square Phillips, Power Corporation of Canada, The Liverant Family, Vins Philippe Dandurand, National Bank of Canada, Bell, Letko, Brosseau & Associates Inc., Sanimax, and Secrétariat à la condition féminine.
A short but compelling video featuring three women whose lives were changed by the Old Brewery Mission's Women's Services was presented. The women were also present at the gala. To see the video, go to https://pour-elles.missionoldbrewery.ca
About the Old Brewery Mission
Founded in 1889, the Old Brewery Mission is the largest resource in Quebec for homeless men and the largest in Canada for homeless women. It provides a range of programs and services at the forefront of the quest to end chronic homelessness. These include enhanced emergency services, health, housing and psychosocial support services, as well as research and public awareness initiatives that contribute to a better understanding of homelessness as a solvable social problem. www.oldbrewerymission.ca
Hashtags: #MissionForHer, #EndHomelessness
SOURCE Old Brewery Mission
Melissa Bellerose, Director, Communications and Public Affairs, Old Brewery Mission, Phone: 514 788-1884, extension 252, Cell: 514 779-8188, [email protected]; Diane Jeannotte, Media Relations, Cell: 514 772-8019, [email protected]
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