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PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release

Chez Doris: Thanks a Million for a Second Roof
The day shelter that helps women in vulnerable situations will open a second location to increase its services

Montreal, October 5, 2018 – The Chez Doris Women’s Day Shelter will soon be expanding its services for women in vulnerable situations with the acquisition of a second building in the west end of downtown Montreal. The purchase of the property has been made possible by a $1 million donation from Montreal businessman Andrew Harper, through the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal, which was announced last May. Mr. Harper’s donation is the largest private donation received by the organization since its founding.

Chez Doris plans to move some of its counselling services and administrative offices to the new building. The space made available in its existing building will be used to augment the services already provided by Chez Doris, which will include 20 overnight emergency shelter beds for homeless women by the year 2020.

“Women currently make up about one-quarter of the homeless population in Montreal. Yet the resources dedicated to homeless women or those in a vulnerable situation are clearly not proportionate to the needs. There is an urgent necessity to do more. We are very grateful to our donors, especially Andrew Harper, for making this important project happen. We must all continue to increase resources for women in vulnerable situations and continue to fight homelessness”, says Marina Boulos-Winton, Executive Director of Chez Doris Women’s Shelter.

With the purchase of the building, several renovations will be necessary to adapt the space to the new services that will be offered. To carry out this major project, other funds will be needed. All your donations can make a difference in the development of Chez Doris’ new services. To make a donation, see the following link:

About Chez Doris
Chez Doris offers services and programs to provide for women’s most basic and immediate needs related to coping with homelessness, poverty, mental illness and/or addictions. It is the only women’s day shelter in Montreal open 7 days a week, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Services include: breakfast and lunch; access to showers, hygienic products, and a clothing depot; emergency food bags; 6 respite beds; telephone information and referral assistance; financial management program; an Inuit assistance program; an Aboriginal housing program; health and mental health services; legal & tax filing services; as well as educational and socio-recreational integration programs. Chez Doris receives up to 100 women per day, which represents approximately 26,000 visits per year, and provides more than 37,000 meals annually. www.chezdoris.org.

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MEDIA RELATIONS:
Véronique Arsenault, Communications, Exponentiel Conseil
Cell. : 514-238-6836
varsenault@exponentielconseil.com

SOURCE: Chez Doris Women’s Shelter Foundation
Marina Boulos-Winton, Executive Director
Cell. : 514-654-7597
marina.boulos@chezdoris.org