Message from the Chairman of the Board and the Executive Director
Thanks to the support of the community, our generous donors, and our devoted volunteers, as well as the dedication and hard work of the entire Dans la rue team, we are one step closer to our common goal of providing homeless youth with the tools they need to get off the street and build a brighter future.
In 2017, we finalized a social transformation framework, which was developed in consultation with each of our front-line teams and that is now in place to facilitate our outreach efforts. In offering our essential services and an approach based on unconditional acceptance, our emphasis continues to be on youth empowerment.
The ACCESS Open Minds Project, which makes it easier for youth to receive mental health care, fl ourished this past year. As a result, nearly 90 youth with mental health issues were seen by our teams, met with our psychologists, or received timely referrals to the appropriate services.
As a leader in the fight against youth homelessness in Quebec, we play an active role in multiple partnerships aimed at developing a better understanding of this issue’s underlying causes and effects and using this information to implement prevention and reduction efforts.
In so doing, we have increased our presence within various groups working to relieve homelessness. Several members of Dans la rue’s team have contributed to initiatives addressing key issues such as runaways, mental health, and housing. In addition, we joined Montreal’s Mayoral Committee on Homelessness, the
Board of Directors of the Réseau d’aide aux personnes seules et itinérantes de Montréal (RAPSIM) and the A Way Home Canada coalition.
Dans la rue’s mission and achievements were also highlighted during the year through new fundraising events, increased media visibility, and efforts to further strengthen our brand. We will build on this progress in the coming year as we celebrate our 30th anniversary with a renewed sense of
confidence.
Sadly, as we write this message, we are still grieving the loss of our beloved founder, Father Emmett Johns, “Pops,” who passed away on January 13, 2018.
Pops was a devoted and generous man of action. He saved countless lives and was a source of inspiration to everyone around him. He will be greatly missed. His sense of humanity and commitment was the driving force behind the success of Dans la rue and he leaves the organization as his legacy. Our entire team, backed by the support of the community, will continue his work with honour and determination.
CÉCILE ARBAUD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PAUL J. SETLAKWE
CHAIRMAN-FEDNAV LIMITED
Download the 2016-2017 Annual report
