This text is part of the special notebook Listening to social causes
Helping people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless is the mission that Le Sac à dos has set itself. The Montreal community organization, which has more than 20 years of activity under its belt, is preparing to open a brand new social housing building.
A job loss, a romantic breakup, consumption or health problems, mental or not… several factors can lead certain people to knock on the door of Sac à dos, explains Valérie Méplon, general director of the community organization.
“It’s certain that getting them out of homelessness is the main objective, but it’s a journey that can be long,” she adds. In order to help its beneficiaries in their daily lives, an adult and predominantly male clientele, the organization provides them with services and, for some of them, a roof over their heads.
Le Sac à dos, which operates in the center of the metropolis, began by organizing coffee meetings with people experiencing homelessness in order to understand their needs. “What became apparent right away was that they needed a place where they could leave their personal belongings securely,” recalls M.me Meplon. A system of storage lockers was therefore set up, which gave the organization its name.
The NPO also created a postal counter, where its beneficiaries can have an address to receive their correspondence, in particular their Social Assistance Program check. “It’s truly a unique service, which has made the Sac à dos famous,” underlines the general director.
New housing to meet needs
In a context of housing crisis, Le Sac à dos helps to provide a roof over its head to some of its beneficiaries in one of its 41 furnished studios spread over two buildings. “We sign a lease with the people we welcome, and we offer them community support. When we come off the street and enter housing without having had one for a long time, we go through a phase of adaptation, which can be very difficult,” notes Valérie Méplon. Workers hired by Le Sac à dos therefore support these people in achieving residential stability.
However, finding a home remains the main challenge for the beneficiaries supported by the organization. “How can you get better when you don’t have a place of your own to rest and be more peaceful? » asks the general director.
In order to continue to meet demand, Le Sac à dos plans to open a third building with 32 social housing units. “We have a waiting list, and we hope to be able to bring in 32 people as soon as we are given the keys to the building,” explains M.me Meplon.
The NPO also provides essential hygiene services, such as toilets, showers and laundry. “It includes everything that allows us to maintain or regain human dignity,” she relates. Due to the great needs, these services will also be offered in the future building, which will be located in the heart of downtown, rue Sainte-Catherine Est. “There are a lot of services around,” underlines the general director. The organization also plans to move its day center to the new building.
Help more people
In the future, Le Sac à dos wishes to provide psychotherapy services, at the request of people who frequent its premises. “They want to be able to talk to someone who will be able to help them get better,” explains Valérie Méplon. The organization would also like to increase its supply of storage lockers. “All of this depends on the funding that we will be able to obtain,” says the general director.
As the services offered by the NPO are currently only provided during the day, Le Sac à dos also hopes to be able to extend its opening hours. “In the evening, we sometimes receive calls from people who say there is nowhere to eat. The food offering is something that we would like to be able to develop during dinner time,” adds M.me Meplon.
The organization is also working hard to obtain the necessary funding to improve its services. “What is beyond our control and what we need is to find support so that it can see the light of day. »
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