Mission

Our mission is to offer short term shelter to women 18 years of age and over who, for any number of reasons, find themselves homeless. The Auberge Madeleine has 19 places available and our services are 24 hours a day. Individual follow is offered to each woman residing at the Auberge.


History

The Auberge Madeleine was founded in 1983. After having witnessed a growing number of women facing homelessness in Montreal; often due to a lack of affordable housing, violence and isolation, the idea was born to make shelter and counselling readily available. Equipped from the start with modest funds from their respective churches, a group of Montreal parishioners, who were active within the Inter-church social services committee, began a project allowing them to create an emergency shelter for homeless women.

Auberge Madeleine opened its doors in May, 1984.


Services offered

We are a non-profit organization that offers shelter for women in difficulty and we welcome in close to 250 women each year. With the help of 24 hour on-site counsellors, the women live at the Auberge Madeleine from a few days to a few months giving them time to regroup, take some respite and determine their priorities. After a stay at the Auberge, many women chose to keep in contact with us and therefore benefit from our external services. In fact, over 300 women per year take advantage of this kind of ongoing relationship with the Auberge Madeleine.

Lodging Services:

  • Short-term accommodation
  • Individual support
  • Crisis intervention
  • Information and referral services
  • Accompaniment for recovery steps
  • Group activities
    External Services:

  • Support after their shelter stay
  • Community support for lodgings
  • Consultation
  • Accompaniment
  • Group activities
  • Meals and donations

     It is within a feminist perspective that the workers of Auberge Madeleine are involved in the daily activities of the women using the resource, to support them in the attainment of their personal objectives, to recognize and valorize their respective strengths. To respect choices and the chosen path of each person, the intervention carried out with the women aims to have them take back control of their lives.

    At Auberge Madeleine, it is essential to ensure an open and respectful environment where everyone can express themselves and fully participate in the group environment.


    Dialogue, collaboration and raising awareness

    Auberge Madeleine works in collaboration with many different organizations and participates in such associations as:

  • Réseau d'aide aux personnes seules et itinérantes de Montréal (RAPSIM)

  • Fédération des ressources d'hébergement pour femmes violentées
    et en difficulté du Québec     (FRHFVDQ)

  • Réseau d'action des femmes en santé et services sociaux de Montréal (RAFSSS)

  • Fédération des OSBL d'habitation de Montréal (FOHM)

  • Regroupement intersectoriel des organismes communautaires de Montréal (RIOCM)

  • Réseau alternatif et communautaire des organismes en santé mentale
    du Montréal métropolitain     (RACOR en santé mentale)

  • Association canadienne pour la santé mentale de Montréal (ACSM)

  • Table des groupes de femmes de Montréal
    Auberge Madeleine also contributes to the training of future counsellors by welcoming apprentices each year from collegial and university-level institutions. Auberge Madeleine represents a rich learning environment where apprentices benefit from the support of experienced supervisors. The presence of apprentices also provides an enriching experience for residents and workers alike.