| Dans la rue lauches its annual campaign |
| Wednesday, 07 December 2011 12:20 |
DANS LA RUE LAUNCHES 2011-2012 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNMedia were invited under the Jacques-Cartier Bridge by Dans la rue, an organization dedicated to helping Montreal street kids, to kick off its annual fundraising campaign this morning. It was an opportunity for the organization to remind people that living outdoors, whether in summer or winter, is a daily struggle - not just for Occupy Montreal protestors, but for all street kids as well. "The Occupy Montreal movement did more than just denounce the social inequalities that afflict our society. It also drew attention to Montreal's significant homeless problem and the challenges faced by the many street kids who visited the camp throughout the occupation. The mental health issues, drug use and violent behaviour that caught the movement's organizers off-guard are in fact a daily reality for both street kids and the Dans la rue intervention workers who offer them help," stated Aki Tchitacov, Executive Director of Dans la rue. The launch of the campaign was also an opportunity for the organization to reiterate the importance of its front-line services, provided by approximately 40 experienced intervention workers for over 150 youths each day. The location of the press conference is in fact not far from one of the four stops of the Dans la rue Van, which has been criss-crossing Montreal's streets nightly to deliver food and personal care items to homeless youth for over 23 years. "At Dans la rue, troubled youths find services and programs that will help them make better choices for their future. We listen to them and provide them with basic care; we help them find homes; we accompany them through the social services network; we encourage them to participate in our reintegration programs and to explore the other services available to them," added Mr. Tchitacov. Through its leadership and expertise, Dans la rue shares its humanity and its profound conviction that all youths can look forward to a future full of promise. Each and every one of them, regardless of their past, is welcomed, listened to and treated with understanding, consideration and respect, and is never judged. It is crucial for Dans la rue to be able to personalize its interventions, so that it can maximize the chance of youth taking their situation in hand and to guide them on this path. The money raised during this campaign will help Dans la rue maintain its front-line services and programs, developed by the unique expertise of its specialised intervention workers and its counsellors over the years.
Launch of 2011-2012 CampaignIt costs over $3.9 million annually for Dans la rue to provide its services, namely the Van, the Bunker and the Chez Pops Day Centre. During its 2011-2012 fundraising campaign, Dans la rue hopes to raise a little over $3.8 million, as it has already received $450,000 in donations and/or pledges. A donation can be made by phone at 514-526-5222, by mail at Dans la rue, 895, rue de la Gauchetière Ouest, Level 90, Suite 220, Montreal H3B 5K3) or online at www.danslarue.org
Photo credit: Cindy Boyce |
