About us:
Maison Hélène-Lacroix provides help and safe housing for women in the Québec City area who are victims of violence.
Our story
upside down in 1967 by a serious car accident that left her confined to a wheelchair. Nevertheless, she maintained a strong faith throughout her life.
In 1978, a few months before her death, she called her friends together to share her concerns about women in difficulty who had nowhere to go, asking them to think about what could be done.
This prompted Dr. Fernand Dufour to ask a community of nuns, les sœurs du Bon Pasteur, for their help in offering these women assistance. The nuns accepted and in 1980, Maison Hélène-Lacroix was founded.
Faced with increasing demands, Maison Hélène-Lacroix obtained a grant from Société d’habitation du Québec in 1988 to purchase a second-stage house.
Approach and values
At Maison Hélène-Lacroix, our work is rooted in intersectional feminism and in the principles of equality, justice, and transparency. The assistance we provide is meant to ensure that our clients have the power to decide and can move on when they are ready.
Four main values inform everything we do and help us support each client in a way that is right for them.
To learn more, see our Service Statement.
1
Respect, which is defined as a feeling and attitude of consideration towards oneself, others, personal and shared property, and ideas.
2
Openness, which is when a person or group is interested in understanding and getting to know something they don’t usually encounter in their day-to-day lives.
3
Effective communication, which is the action of relating to others, of engaging with others so that the message is well received.
4
Collaboration, which means working with someone else, helping them with their work, and working together towards a shared goal.
Services offered
We offer a wide range of free services tailored to the needs of women who are victims of violence.
Safe and secure accommodation
Short-term, confidential emergency shelter. Individual counselling, group workshops, and meals provided on site.
Accommodation in a second-stage house
Safe medium-term housing to support women as they move forward.
Help line
A 24-hour phone help line with someone who is trained to answer questions about violence.
Individual counselling
Each woman at the centre receives personalized, one-on-one support and guidance based on her needs and objectives.
Group workshops
Daily meetings on various themes (violence, empowerment, communication, etc.), led by a support worker.
Types of workshops offered: art, music, sexual health, self-defence, relaxation, fitness, and more.
Help and support for personal initiatives
Support to help women at the centre achieve the personal goals they set for themselves during their stay.
Individual external counselling
Psychosocial counselling for women who are victims of violence and do not wish to stay at the centre or are on a waitlist. To ensure confidentiality, these sessions are offered in a room outside the shelter.
Awareness and prevention
Corporate training and customized awareness program on domestic violence.