A history

La maison In the early 1980's more and more women were seen sleeping in doorways, and begging in the streets of Montreal. Other women first noticed this worrisome trend. A group of parishioners working within the inter-faith committee commissioned the Reverend Donna Wilson of Christ Church Cathedral to study the problem. The report that resulted showed that there was a growing network of shelters for homeless men, and for battered women, but that the services available to homeless women did not meet increasing needs. This led to the founding of Auberge Madeleine, a shelter for women who are alone and in difficulty, or homeless, in Montreal.


Our clientele and the services provided

Auberge Madeleine is a community organization which, each year, welcomes more than 250 women in difficulty, 18 years and over. They stay at the Auberge for a few days or a few months, to get themselves together, to take a breather, to define their priorities. With the support of staff members on duty 24 hours a day, 19 women live as a group in an atmosphere of warmth and tolerance. In a feminist perspective, Auberge Madeleine offers individualized support, information and referral services, group activities, and even follow-up after a stay. We try to make the Auberge a place where solidarity and support among women fosters change and improves situations.


Some numbers

  • This past year, we welcomed 232 women, a 100% occupancy rate.

  • This past year, the average stay is 22 days.

  • Statistically, over the past three years, it has been noted that the predominant age group of the women staying at the Auberge Madeleine is between 41 and 50 years of age. This age group represents again this year an overall majority of 33%.

  • Residents of the Auberge face many problems: homelessness, mental instability, violence,
    drug or other dependencies, difficulties related to immigration, etc.

  • 87% of the women report having been subjected to violence in the past.

  • The proportion of women struggling with mental health problems represents 72% of all our residents this past year.

  • Auberge Madeleine offers follow-up services after a stay.
        In the last year, we received 2317 phone calls and had 627 visits.

  • In order to find new solutions, more than 5000 women have come at the Auberge during time of difficulty.