On a sunny summer day, a determined team of volunteers rolled up their sleeves and transformed the courtyard at the Dans la rue Housing complex into a warm and welcoming community space.
Starting at 7 a.m., associates from The Home Depot in Saint-Henri, along with the store manager and customer experience manager, were already hard at work, ready to dedicate their day to a meaningful project.
Planned by the counsellors at the complex in collaboration with Dans la rue’s Family Services, the project was about much more than simply improving the appearance of the courtyard. The goal was to create a safe and inviting environment where residents can meet up and children can play, grow and thrive.
Bringing people together from the get-go
What started as a simple “what if” quickly became a reality, thanks to the passion and perseverance of the staff at Dans la rue. The teams responsible for infrastructure and development joined forces to bring the idea to long-standing partner The Home Depot Canada Foundation.
“We presented the project to them, and they agreed to it without a moment’s hesitation. It all came together in no time.”
— Valérie Dubreuil, Director, Development and Communications
The Foundation donated $10,000 to cover the cost of materials and then assigned the project to the Saint-Henri store. The team was already familiar with Dans la rue’s mission, having taken part in several renovation projects at the Day Centre and elsewhere over the years.
The potential of the project impressed Jean-Michel Martin, the store manager, and Maude Pratte, the customer experience manager, when they first visited the site. Together with their team, they designed a layout that would meet the needs of the families living at the complex, using sustainable, safe and low-maintenance materials.
A day of hard work and generosity
On July 17, members of Team Depot — The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force — arrived on site with tools and supplies, not to mention plenty of energy and enthusiasm.
Despite the intense heat that day, they worked tirelessly for nearly seven hours to bring this family-friendly space to life.
Every bolt tightened and every finishing touch completed brought Team Depot closer to the vision they had set out to achieve: giving children a place to play and explore, and families a private haven where they can make lasting memories.
From the outset, the project’s key priorities were simplicity, safety and speed of execution. Mission accomplished!
With privacy slats added to the fence, artificial turf laid on the ground, and a pergola and modular playsets assembled, the courtyard was turned into a space where families can feel right at home. The flowerbeds were also tidied up and given an extra splash of colour to make the outside even more cheerful and attractive.
The excitement surrounding the project extended well beyond the complex itself.
“People were walking by and saying, ‘Wow, does that ever look nice!’ ”
— Team Depot volunteer
A lasting impact for families
The revitalized courtyard was a wonderful surprise for the young tenants and their children. Throughout the day, several enjoyed watching the volunteers at work, expressing their admiration for how much was accomplished in only a few hours.
Once a purely functional area, the courtyard is now vibrant and thoughtfully designed around the needs of the families served by Housing and Family Services.
In a single day, 14 volunteers made a tangible difference in this small community. The result is more than a beautiful new shared space — it is a meaningful act of generosity that will benefit families for years to come.
“We organize team-building activities all the time, but nothing brings people together quite the way an initiative like this does.
Having an opportunity to give back creates unique bonds among our associates and reminds us of the positive impact we can have when we work together.
It always feels good to lend a helping hand. It fills us with a deep sense of pride, satisfaction and accomplishment.
It’s a rewarding experience that unites us around a shared cause and helps strengthen our team spirit.”
— Jean-Michel Martin, Store Manager
Thanks to the associates and volunteers who chose to invest their time in this project, children now have a safe place to play and parents have an outdoor gathering space of their own. The environment fosters a sense of belonging and gives families the dignity they deserve.
“Everything came together so beautifully!”
— Pierre Bélanger, Housing and Bunker Coordinator
About the Dans la rue Housing complex
The 17-unit Dans la rue Housing complex opened in 2014 in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, in the east end of Montreal. The team of counsellors provides on-site community support to the 15 young tenants and two families who call the complex home.
Rent is subsidized through the provincial Rent Supplement Program (PSLQ) for up for five years. The building features several indoor and outdoor common areas where tenants can connect, share a meal and relax.
