La Maison de Sophia, which houses women in difficulty in Saint-Jérôme, is about to shut down after losing 100% of its funding, granted by the CISSS. But the officials refuse to give up and are stepping up their efforts to save the organization.
Their efforts have borne fruit — in part — because they have just obtained in extremis a reprieve from the Municipal Housing Office of Saint-Jérôme to stay in the four apartments they were to leave in June. It is a huge obstacle to overcome, but without funding, unless there is a miracle, which they are still hoping for, they will nevertheless have to resolve to announce to their nine residents that they no longer have a roof over their heads. Once again.
Annie, 40, has had a difficult life: domestic violence, stays in psychiatry, drugs, homelessness… In recent years, she has often felt “thrown like a ball into the system”.
But for the past year, she has enjoyed real respite at the Maison de Sophia, where she is housed, fed and accompanied. This break allowed him to regain his footing. She resumed her studies to complete her Vand high school in the hope of becoming a street worker. She is waiting to obtain a rent supplement, which will allow her – if she is eligible – to relocate. Above all, his situation offers him enough stability for the court to allow him to see his children.
Today, Annie feels helpless. “If Sophia’s House closes, I start from scratch,” she laments. She is afraid of “falling back”, of finding herself on the street again, of losing the right to see her children again for lack of stability. “I worked hard to get out of this. But I feel like I’m not given many chances to reintegrate into society. »
His unfortunate roommate, Nathalie, has also had her share of difficulties. After a sexual assault last year, she had to leave the house she was renting in a hurry. “Accommodation is hard to find, I had no place to stay, I fell back into drugs,” says the 51-year-old woman. Coming out of therapy last January, she found a place at the Maison de Sophia. “I’m still bawling so much I’m happy to be here. »
Since her arrival, she has received help to turn her unpaid tickets into community service, which gives her a sense of accomplishment. She has taken steps to find new accommodation, in public housing or with a housing subsidy.
Her worker was also there to support her when the prosecutor recently told her that there was not enough evidence to lay criminal charges against her attacker. “I bawled, I yelled at the prosecutor. Yes [l’intervenante] hadn’t been there, of course I would have come back with that news. I talk about it, there, and I come with a heavy heart, ”she says, visibly overwhelmed by emotions. “It must not close”, she launches in a final cry from the heart.
A promise
In the small neighboring courtyard, Noémie, 26, and Jessica, 30, improvise a small picnic under the April sun. They too have difficult life paths, physical and mental health problems. They have been living with anxiety since they learned that the Maison de Sophia is in danger of closing, but they trust the workers, who repeat to them that they will do everything to continue to offer them a roof. “It’s the first time someone has fought for me…” says Jessica, all moved.
And it is indeed for them that the team of the House of Sophia fights. “I can’t resign myself to leaving these women on the street,” says Alexandra Soumain, volunteer president of the board of directors, with conviction. I’m ready to go on a hunger strike, make a human chain, make sit in. But I promised a little girl…”
The voice of M.me Soumain snaps as she goes back on this promise made to Annie’s daughter. “The last time I saw her, she asked me: ‘Do you think I will continue to be able to see my mum? I promised her yes, because I couldn’t tell her otherwise… I just can’t give up, you know? »
So, she multiplies the calls for help, contesting the decisions, questioning the municipal and provincial elected officials to save time. The Minister of Housing, Andrée Laforest, intervened directly with the Municipal Office of Saint-Jérôme to avoid the eviction of the Maison de Sophia, which was scheduled for the end of June and to renew the lease for twelve months.
“It is a relief – temporary – for us, but unfortunately, without a commitment from the State to finance us adequately, we remain at risk of closing in the coming weeks”, answers Alexandra Soumain.
“Heartbreaking Choices”
Because basically, its biggest problem is that the CISSS des Laurentides has cut funding for the Maison de Sophia, which last year had a budget of around $230,000.
“With a budget of $3,329,105 and having received more than 30 projects representing nearly $13,000,000 in demand, a limited number of proposals were selected by the allocation committee. Unfortunately, despite its relevance, your project was not selected,” explained the CISSS in an email sent to the organization on March 25.
Asked by The duty, the CISSS speaks of “heartbreaking choices”, adding that it would have been “desirable” to have the means “to grant the funding requested by all the requesting organizations”.
But where will Annie, Nathalie, Noémie, Jessica, Lou-Ann and the other women from the House of Sophia meet if it closes? “The CISSS has offered its support to the organization in the event of this need”, can we read in the response sent by email.
However, according to M.me Suddenly, the other accommodation resources in the region are overflowing, information that the CISSS is unable to validate, since a count of needs and resources is in progress.
And although she recognizes the importance of shelter resources for women victims of domestic violence, who benefit from greater financial support these days, Alexandra Soumain denounces the little help given to those who, despite the years, remain marked by this violence, as is the case for many of the residents of the House of Sophia. An opinion shared by It’s as if they were telling me: “go back and get your ass kicked and we’ll help you”, who launches, discouraged: “It’s as if they were telling me: “go back and get your the mouth and we will help you”. »