Berri's Terminus

Over the years, Dans la rue has developed an in-depth expertise in youth homelessness as well as the specific problems associated with street kids and, especially, solutions that may be applied to the situation.

In the past, there was a scarcity of professionals specializing in youth homelessness, especially those working in the areas of mental or physical health. Today, Dans la rue has become a resource for researchers and an on-site training centre for students. Here are a few examples:

  • Treatment of neo-natal drug addiction ("methadone babies"): a joint initiative of our Family Support Services and specialized teams from the hospital community.

  • Internships in our medical clinic for medical and nursing students.

  • Training seminars in drug addiction, management of cases of intoxication and overdoses and other related topics given by our nurse at the Montréal General Hospital and to the organization Les Infirmières et les Infirmiers de rue.

  • Articles addressing mental health issues affecting young street kids published by our psychologist.

  • Consultations with various groups such as Médecins du Monde, Suicide Action Montréal, community health centres (CLSC), the provincial health board and local hospitals.

  • Our Executive Director participates to : Table de concertation itinérance jeunesse du centre sud de Montréal, Comité de liaison en itinérance du Montréal Centre, Comité de suvi pour les jeunes de la rue, Comité des partenaires de MAP (mères avec pouvoir), Comité aviseur des partenaires du Poste de police de quartier 21 et Conseil d'administration du Centre de jeunesse de Montréal.

First Stop

 Dans la rue is the co-founder of the organization known as First Stop, an information referral service for high-risk individuals, located at the Montréal bus terminal:

Runaways from all over the province are very likely to come to Montréal by bus. Looking frightened and with little or no luggage, they are easily spotted by the experienced eye of pimps and drug dealers who constantly scour the bus station for potential victims. It only takes a few minutes for these "experts" to single out and drag away the most vulnerable.
This terrible phenomenon led Dans la rue to join forces with two other community organizations (YMCA and Passage) and create First Stop. Every night, trained workers keep watch at the bus station and approach young, disoriented travellers with information on the resources available to them. Several are directed to the Bunker, where they will be safe from the dangers of the street.
To reach a parent or a social worker, 984 street kids used our Assistance Service in 2005.