Group activities

Residents at the Auberge live within a group context for several days, weeks or even months. They are often living through periods of great stress and this, quite understandably has an affect on the group as a whole. It is important to us therefore to work on group dynamics by tackling any fears and prejudice that may arise. We have learned to create opportunities for bonding and greater understanding.

The group activities held at the Auberge provide the means, with which women can get to know one another, develop their talents, expose themselves to other perspectives and other realities than their own. They share opinions, acquire knowledge and have a little fun along the way. Group activities are held twice a week and focus on such topics as interpersonal relationships, sexuality, self-esteem and personal affirmation, stress, loneliness, anger, dependencies, etc. These subjects take the format, firstly, of discussion, of role playing and questions/answers. Participants also have an opportunity to express themselves in different forms of art such as clay modelling, drawing and painting.

Painting on canvas workshops

Throughout 2009-2010, painting workshops will be taking place every two weeks. Both current and former residents will experiment with this type of art and expression program. A vernissage as well as an exhibition of participants' creations is a possibility at the end of the year. The workshops give a chance to participants to give free rein to their creativity, to discover and make the most of their strengths and their skills. The spirit of the program lies in the development of self-expression, risk taking, and communication. All important elements in taking on any new project.

As an exploratory gesture and a plan to jumpstart the project, some painting on canvas workshops were held last year. The vernissage and exhibition of participants' works took place during the month of May 2009 at Café Touski. This experiment helped to assess the viability of such a project and to observe the positive effects on the participants who had a chance to be recognized, on a larger scale, for their strengths and talents.

ParCELLES

ParCELLES is a weekly radio program broadcast directly on internet radio of the Université du Québec à Montréal (CHOQ.fm), which programs are conceived, directed and produced by residents and ex-residents of Auberge Madeleine. These women have the opportunity to be involved in all stages of production of the broadcast such as the choice of theme selected, the hosting of the show, the scripting of the presentation, the musical accompaniment, choice of guests and the conducting of interviews. Participants put much time and effort into the project which gives them a voice and a way to reach out in public on issues affecting them directly such as: health, marginalization, dependencies, social reintegration, conjugal violence, sexuality, love, friendship, etc. The regular season of the ParCELLES broadcast is from September to April. Please feel free to consult the CHOQ.fm website, you will find our previous shows in the archives.