Services & Programs

Open 7 days a week since 19 September 2022, our emergency overnight shelter, named after Elspeth McConnell, offers a secure environment with comfortable beds for women experiencing homelessness to ensure they have a
safe place to sleep at night. Located right in front of our night shelter, it features 24 beds, showers and laundry facilities, a counselling room as well as a dining room, kitchenette, and common room.

• Open from 8.30pm to 8.15am
• 24 beds : including 22 sleeping pods offering greater privacy, each with its own ventilation system, electical outlet, night light and access to wifi, , and 2 regular beds in a separate room
• Women can sleep at the shelter for up to 30 consecutive nights
• Safe, welcoming and non-judgemental environment
• Located across the street from the day shelter, making it easier for clients to access the various services offered by Chez Doris
• Features lockers, bathrooms, laundry room, dining room, kitchenette and multipurpose room
• Pets are allowed in the shelter (under certain conditions)
• Elevators available on-site to ensure accessibility

Chez Doris’ housing program works under the following three umbrellas:

1. Vers Chez Soi Indigenous Housing Program: This program supports chronically and episodically homeless Indigenous women and their children. A one-time budget to help set up the client by providing a budget for moving, furniture, house appliances and cleaning supplies. Additionally, a monthly budget for groceries thanks to the Trottier Foundation.
2. Rapid Rehousing Program: This program helps a diverse range of women, from newcomers to chronically homeless. This low barrier program welcomed all women (and their families) who earned under $31,000 yearly. This program works closely with supportive and affordable housing resources to help stabilize women in their new private market rental apartment. The women receive a one-time budget to help the client start up which covers moving expenses, furniture, small appliances, house supplies and cleaning supplies.
3. Programme de logements subventionnes (PSL): In collaboration with the OMHM, PSL helps women in difficulty access affordable long-term housing. Eligible applicants will be housed in a private market for up to 5 years before receiving a permanent HLM in the neighbourhood of their choice. These women live in poverty, and due to the national housing crisis, their budget typically only allows them access to unsanitary and unsafe housing options. Clients are provided with a one-time budget to help with moving, furniture, house supplies, grocery and cleaning supplies.

Clothing

Thanks to donations from our generous community of donors, our clothing room provides clients access to appropriate seasonal clothing by appointment. Clothing provided includes outerwear, pyjamas, and undergarments as well as other essential pieces of clothing.

Hygiene

Although good personal hygiene is essential, many homeless or vulnerable women lack access to facilities and basic necessities. We offer access to clean washrooms as well as a safe place for them to take a warm shower. Thanks to many donations, we are able to provide our clients with soap, towels, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as women’s personal hygiene products. Moreover, with the assistance of volunteers, Chez Doris is able to offer our clientele, by appointment, haircuts and manicures.

We provide, on a daily basis, three healthy meals: breakfast is from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, a lunch is served from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM and a supper offered from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. As well, in partnership with the Department of Dietetics at McGill University, we offer educational workshops on nutrition.

Our objectives are

• To provide three nutritious meals each day (breakfast, lunch and supper);
• To help women maximize their limited income; and
• To foster healthy food choices and habits.

We also offer vulnerable women a grocery gift card programme that allows them to shop themselves with dignity according to their preferences.

Our Financial Administration Program offers financial services and psychosocial support to over 105 women on a monthly basis. Chez Doris receives the financial assistance cheques (e.g. disability, welfare, old age pension, etc.) of each woman registered in this voluntary program designed to assist participants to better manage their money. An assigned caseworker works with each woman to create a monthly budget, pay bills and manage extra money left over.

In addition, the Financial Administration Program also offers psychosocial aid. Each caseworker is available to help clients book appointments, fill out various forms, assist with phone calls, help with apartment searches as well as taxes and many other such needs.

Our objectives are

• To instill a sense of financial security & self-sufficiency;
• To improve the economic situation of participants;
• To provide housing stability and prevent homelessness; and
• To be of service to women from all over Montreal who are referred from CLSC’s, social workers and other organizations.

The purpose of this program is to provide services and activities for urban Indigenous peoples, and to recognize and celebrate their heritage and cultural identity. Funded by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, as of April 1, 2018, the program provides Indigenous women with the opportunity to experience culturally specific outings and activities. Thanks to this program, we aim to provide a positive, supportive, and healthy environment to help develop self-esteem, self-awareness, creativity and encourage meaningful cultural connections.

The Inuit Assistance Program provides frontline and ongoing psychosocial services that aim to remain culturally relevant and respond to the needs of the Inuit clientele. Many of the Inuit clients use our services to access basic essential needs such as meals, showers, hygiene products, clothing and a safe space for respite. In addition, this program responds to psycho-social needs by offering individualized intervention plans, active listening, advocacy, referrals, home visits, outreach and wellness checks, as well as legal, social and medical accompaniments.

Physical Health Program

We offer a wide range of programs that promote both the physical and mental health of our clientele. Our clinic is certified by the Collège des médecins du Québec and affiliated with the Herzl Clinic of the Jewish General Hospital.  Appointments can be made with a medical doctor, available one day a week, as well as a podiatric nurse.  We also offer weekly massage treatments, physiotherapy, and yoga classes.

Mental Health Program

We offer psychiatric support to our clients once every two weeks, thanks to Dr. Pascale Desrosiers and a psychiatric resident from McGill University.  In addition, we work in collaboration with the CLSC’s Projet Connexion as well as with student nurses from the Université du Québec en Outaouais to provide information and regular follow-ups.

Our objectives are

• To facilitate access to medical services;
• To maintain and monitor prescriptions;
• To promote physical and mental wellbeing; and
• To improve personal care.

We provide a monthly calendar of daily educational and socio-recreational activities to foster a sense of belonging and community for our clients as well as help improve their sense of well-being, self-worth, and pride.

Activities may include:

• Workshops dealing with nutrition, psychology, low-cost housing, creative writing, etc.;
• Weekly bingo games;
• Arts & crafts;
• Access to computers;
• Special meals and activities for holidays, including Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, International Women’s Day;
• Celebration of cultural diversity with special meals and activities throughout the year, such as National Indigenous Peoples Day and Black History Month;

Moreover, with the financial assistance of Emploi Québec, we are able hire full-time students to organize daily activities throughout the summer months which women register for. Activities may include daylong excursions, cultural outings, invited speakers, and spa days.

Legal Clinic

In partnership with McGill’s Faculty of Law, students offer legal information and assistance to our clients during the fall, winter, and spring. The interns are supervised by a law professor, and help with legal matters which may pertain to tenant rights, family law, criminal law and assist with drafting letters to landlords, accompanying our clients to legal appointments as well as outlining their rights.

Our objectives are

• To make legal advice accessible to low-income and vulnerable individuals; and
• To help prevent legal problems or minimize their impact.

Income Tax Services

A Chez Doris volunteer offers twice a week help filling out tax forms.  This service ensures that women are up to date in their yearly filings and receive reimbursements and benefits they are entitled to.

Our objectives are

• To help women be in compliance with yearly tax returns; and
• To ensure that women benefit from different tax credits and refunds that will help them with their living costs.