The Maison d’hébergement l’Aquarelle offers services to women who are victims of violence and going through difficult times. The mission of the Maison is to ensure the safety of these women and their children, as well as giving them support in their reflection and their process toward a life violence free.
The Maison d’hébergement l’Aquarelle was founded in 1985, after receiving funding granted by the minister of Social Affairs.
In 1989, the organization took ownership of the St-Marcel presbytery, which they were renting up to then, with the help of a financial help program of the Société d’Habitation du Québec. During the next few years, the organization has done many renovations on the building with the objective to adapt it to its clientele’s needs.
In 1992, the organization joined the Fédération des Ressources d’hébergement pour femmes violentées et en difficulté du Québec. The Federation’s goal is to provide the necessary support to all the shelter home members to achieve their mandate. It has also the goal to represent and defend, facing political or public authorities, government bodies, para-public and private, the interests of the members and the women’s rights.
The immediate safety of the women and the children at the shelter is a priority. We make sure that the different involved parties will participate through multiple actions.
Respect women’s rights to avoid exclusion, discrimination and re-victimization.
To give back her power to the woman, because in a violent context, she was being controlled, unable to control her own life.
We connect to women respectfully for all that they are, treating them as equals.
This is the sense of belonging in a fight against violences toward women.
Our intervention actions have the goal to create equity and respect for women and children’s rights.
We accompany women softly, without forcing her approach or her thinking process.
Every woman has her own experience, and we adapt to each individually.
The community workers create a trusting and respectful environment with the women by constantly being present with them.
