Ricochet (Hébergement/Homes) and its partners are proud to announce the opening of a new warming shelter in Lachine which will be located at 800 rue Provost, in the basement of the Très-Saint-Sacrement Church. The Lachine warming center will open its doors until March 31, 2022, with the goal of offering 24/7 services to people experiencing homelessness during the winter season.
The warming shelter will accommodate up to 24 people each day during the coldest time of the year. More specifically, it will provide a place of respite to sleep, eat, drink, shower and of course warm up. Beneficiaries will also have access to a laundry service as well as emergency clothing assistance (winter coats, scarves, gloves, socks, etc.). They will be accompanied by professionals duly trained in intervention with vulnerable people. The capacity of the stop will at all times respect the ratio of one worker for 8 beneficiaries.
Good social harmony is a priority for Ricochet and its partners. The well-being and security of the neighbourhood are at the heart of their concerns, as are those of the beneficiaries. The warming shelter has a clear code of conduct which mentions the regulations and behaviour to adopt in and around the resource. Security cameras are installed and functional inside and outside the resource. Ricochet works in close collaboration with the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (PDQ8).
This initiative is made possible through funding from the federal Reaching Home program and financial support from Centraide of Greater Montreal. This project was developed by Ricochet, in collaboration with the Arrondissement of Lachine, the City of Montreal and the following local organizations: Comité d’action en sécurité urbaine de l’Arrondissement de Lachine, Cumulus, Carrefour d’entraide, Travail de Rue Action Communautaire, Croix-Rouge Canadienne, Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (PDQ8) and CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île de Montréal.
Since 2017, Ricochet’s mission has been to create housing solutions for people living with residential instability in the West Island of Montreal. Ricochet is an initiative of Action Jeunesse de l’Ouest-de-l’Île (AJOI), which offers outreach street work intervention services for at-risk youth and vulnerable people in the West of the Island of Montreal since 2007.
The Lachine warming center / shelter will gradually open starting on January 27, 2022. To join the team, you can send your resume to [email protected].
Feature image: Tania Charron, executive director AJOI and Ricochet and François Lebrun, Coordinator of Warming Shelter Lachine – Ricochet
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