MONTREAL, Oct. 16, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Herstreet announced yesterday at their annual benefit gala, the launching of their major fundraising campaign called "Towards a third house". The number of women in a state of homelessness has considerably increased in the past five years. To respond to the growing needs of these women, the organization will open a third house in Montreal, on Wolfe Street. The carrying out of this project requires that 2,5 million dollars be raised.
During 2012-2013 only, Herstreet had to refuse 3 730 requests for shelter because of a lack of available space. Considering that more than 6 000 women live in a state of homelessness in the greater Montreal and that only 500 beds are available in women's shelters, only less than 10% of the women can find a place for the night. "In the street, they must fight to survive, against the constant insecurity, the dangers of aggression and the suffering of living out in the cold. The opening of a third house is crucial for these women in a state of homelessness. It will offer 20 new emergency shelter beds and 30 places in a day center, with many services such as counselling, meals and help to find permanent housing", explains Léonie Couture, executive director and founder of Herstreet.
Spokesperson for Herstreet, Catherine Proulx-Lemay, actress who personifies Michèle in the acclaimed television series "Unité 9", did not hesitate in supporting this campaign. "I was deeply distressed by what I saw and heard. It is nonsensical to have to refuse shelter to these women in need. We must come together to raise the necessary funds to finance the project of the third house and to help Herstreet pursue its activities and give meaning to the lives of these women", she said.
Nearly a third of the objective has already been raised due to the exceptional contributions of the two great patrons of Herstreet, Velan inc and Power Corporation and also of Desjardins, for which Herstreet is extremely grateful. The president of the campaign "Towards a third house", Madeleine Chenette, associate and national executive director of KPMG-Secor, strategic consulting services, is aware that there is still much to do to meet the 2,5 million dollars objective but she is confident that it can be achieved and she appeals to the great generosity of the business community.
About Herstreet
For close to twenty years, Herstreet has helped women in a state of homelessness and in great difficulty. These women are sick, disconnected from themselves and others. Herstreet is categorical: it is feasible to heal them and help them emerge from their state of homelessness in a sustainable way.
To achieve this, Herstreet promotes a global intervention approach: offer in one location, a variety of services and care, integrated and adapted, centered on relational health. Relational health is the vital ability to relate to oneself and to others. In Herstreet's vision, relational health is a full component of health to the same extent as physical and mental health. Since the opening of Olga House in 2002, 336 different women were given shelter by Herstreet and 63% of these women have now found permanent and sustainable housing.
To make a difference and help Herstreet achieve the "Towards a third house" project and help women to come out of the state of homelessness, it is possible to volunteer, offer service partnerships or financial partnerships. Visit laruedesfemmes.org for details.
SOURCE: Herstreet
For information or to coordinate an interview with Léonie Couture or Catherine Proulx-Lemay, please communicate with:
Yvette Cakpo
Massy Forget Langlois, Public Relations
514 842-2455, extension 22
[email protected]
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