Inside Montreal, journalist Louis-Philippe Messier mostly travels, his desk in his backpack, on the lookout for fascinating people and subjects. He speaks to everyone and is interested in all circles in this urban chronicle.
As much as the users of the Cap-CARE refuge in the former YMCA of Hochelaga were astonished to see Jacques Rougeau show up at home with his proverbial enthusiasm, the wrestler could not believe what he discovered there.
When I learned that Jacques Rougeau was becoming the spokesperson for the “Together, let’s fight against homelessness” campaign of the Center d’Aide et de Réinsertion de Montréal (CARE Montreal), I asked to be present when he would meet with the beneficiaries that the organization is helping.
This meeting took place on Wednesday.
I felt the man very nervous. As if he was nervous. This frequenter of the amphitheatres is accustomed to going up there in the arena, like his father or his great-uncle before him. It was going to be his first time in an arena transformed into a 95-bed homeless shelter … which is a very special world. I know it because I went there incognito for reports.
Photo Ben Pelosse
Jean-Fritz Souffrant discusses with the wrestler.
As soon as he entered, Rougeau relaxed. “I expected small mattresses piled up in a corner like we see in the movies! He exclaims, relieved at the sight of these well-arranged and clean spaces.
Question to review his preconceived ideas, the new spokesperson intends, as soon as a bed is free, to come and spend the night here, supper and breakfast.
Disturbed by our noisy group, a man sitting on his bed gives us a hostile look. Rougeau walks right up to him exclaiming: “I’m glad to see you!” »Confused, the fierce man relaxes and … becomes cordial.
“Will you make me a wrestling hold?” I’ll show you how to do it, ”suggests the wrestler to the residents he meets for the next hour as he visits the kitchen, thrift store, showers, etc.
One explains that he has been living in a room in a CARE halfway house since being released from prison. Another, an immigrant from Haiti, in a wheelchair, also talks amicably with the wrestler, whom he recognizes.
“I knew that my world would love Jacques Rougeau and that the power would flow right away,” Michel Monette, the founder and director of CARE Montreal, told me.
Photo Ben Pelosse
Under the amused gaze of the director of CARE-Montreal, Michel Monette, Bernard Aucœur, a beneficiary of the refuge from the Gaspé Peninsula, makes a catch to the new spokesperson.
MM. Monette and Rougeau met on October 6 during a dinner at Chic Resto Pop, a community kitchen near my home in Hochelaga that I have been encouraging for over a year by inviting friends, colleagues and various personalities.
It could happen to him
The 60-year-old who lives in Rawdon does not run on gold. In case of bad luck, he could end up on the street.
“I thought about it, my friend … I am a self-employed 61 year old with no fortune and if my body gives up on me, what will I become? I feel close to the people here because it could be me … I’m not immune from that! “
Today, at 10 a.m., Jacques Rougeau, accompanied by a young wrestler from Hochelaga, Jeremy Prophet, gives a press conference in Cap-CARE, at 4567 rue Hochelaga. There will be distribution of food, clothing and, on a mattress, Rougeau will take the fight to the homeless volunteers. It might be pretty funny.