A group of eight socially conscious women decided to open a women\u2019s shelter in Saint-J\u00e9r\u00f4me after noticing there were few resources for women in the community. They wanted to create a space where victims of domestic violence could get help and support without having to move away from their families, jobs, or children\u2019s school just to be safe.<\/p>\n
They worked for nearly three years to make this a reality, with efforts ramping up in the fall of 1984 and winter 1985 and culminating in the letters of incorporation (Charter) on January 29, 1985. The founding pioneers formed a temporary board of directors, comprising: Lise Bastien, Marcelle Bastien, Shirley Ann Leclerc, C\u00e9line Nadon, Gyslaine Paquin, Suzanne Varin, Christiane Forget and Marie Campbell Boucher.<\/p>\n
According to an article published in the newspaper Journal \u00c9cho du Nord on January 30, 1985, Greek mythological figure Ariadne (Ariane, in French) gave Theseus a ball of thread which he used to escape the labyrinth after slaying the Minotaur. Inspired by this legendary fresco, La Maison d\u2019Ariane tries to be that thread that will help each woman escape from her own labyrinth of problems.
\nMarie Campbell Boucher explained that after meeting with a number of social groups, including the Association f\u00e9minine d\u2019\u00e9ducation et d\u2019action sociale (AFEAS), Richebelles, the Arthur Buies local community service centre (CLSC), and the MPP for Pr\u00e9vost county, Robert Dean, the group collected 1,000 signatures for its petition to open the shelter.<\/p>\n
After receiving a one-time grant from the Canada Works program on February 4, 1985, Danielle Fafard, Chantal Saint-Georges and Denise Brouillard joined the founding pioneers.
\nThey were starting from scratch and had plans to address a vast array of needs, including housing resources, a drop-in daycare, a documentation centre and women\u2019s centre, resources for victims of sexual assault, and even a non-violence program at elementary, secondary, and CEGEP schools. It was a huge undertaking.<\/p>\n
In conjunction with the temporary board, consultations were held in Saint-J\u00e9r\u00f4me, Sainte-Sophie, Saint-Colomban and Pr\u00e9vost in April 1985. The objective of the consultations was to hear from women and organizations in the community on what women who are victims of domestic violence need. The consultation made it clear that there was a need for a shelter. The community answered the call and threw its support behind the project.<\/p>\n
As soon as the shelter\u2019s workers came on board, contact was made with the Regroupement des maisons d\u2019h\u00e9bergement pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale et leurs enfants, which provides access to expertise, analysis and training, such as sessions on children and domestic violence.<\/p>\n
The team was driven by a common concern: to promote an empowerment approach. Women who are victims of violence need to feel physically and psychologically safe, to break their isolation, and to feel they are heard and supported through relationships that encourage autonomy, solidarity and mutual aid both at and after leaving the shelter.<\/p>\n
All the women involved felt that having the right training and tools was essential, before the shelter even opened. They needed a solid foundation from which to provide services to women and children.
\nTraining was provided to volunteers by the Social Work Department at CEGEP Saint-J\u00e9r\u00f4me on topics such as helping relationships, active listening, and more. The contribution of volunteers was undoubtedly vital to the establishment of La Maison d\u2019Ariane.
\nA grant application submitted to the Minist\u00e8re de la Sant\u00e9 et des Services sociaux du Qu\u00e9bec (MSSS) was approved in July 1985, and the project received a $55,000 grant.<\/p>\n
On August 12 of that same year, the shelter welcomed its first residents into a three-bedroom home that could accommodate three women and their children. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the women at La Maison d\u2019Ariane had access to counselling, support, information, referral and assistance services. A program was also established to provide recreational activities for the children staying at the shelter.<\/p>\n
In 1986, further training was provided specifically for intervention services, taking the conscious feminist approach to mental health. This training was also provided by the Regroupement and the CECEP and included self-defence classes.
\nThe members of the Board of Directors and the team continued to reflect on the philosophy and values of La Maison d\u2019Ariane. They put their thoughts to paper and produced a working document on the organization\u2019s philosophy on December 2, 1986.
\nThis was all made possible thanks to the dedication of the board members, employees, and countless volunteers. They believed in the project and pooled their efforts, working tirelessly to ensure that La Maison d\u2019Ariane could exist and offer quality services despite not having the financial means.<\/p>\n
Key dates in La Maison D\u2019Ariane\u2019s history<\/p>\n
| 1985<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 29<\/td>\n | Incorporation of La Maison d\u2019Ariane<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| February 4<\/td>\n | First day of work for the three employees, Canada Works project, salary of $250\/week<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| April<\/td>\n | Public consultation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| June 11<\/td>\n | Board of Directors meeting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| July 1<\/td>\n | Plan for the dwelling that would become La Maison d\u2019Ariane<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| July 4<\/td>\n | First annual MSSS grant of $55,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| August 12<\/td>\n | Shelter opens<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| September<\/td>\n | Fundraising campaign. Target: $20,00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| Joins Regroupement Provincial des maisons d\u2019h\u00e9bergement<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||
| Salary: $6.25\/hour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||
| October<\/td>\n | Board of Directors discusses purchasing a house<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| November<\/td>\n | Logo design<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| Group insurance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||
| Member of ROC (regroupement des organismes communautaire)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||
| Late December :<\/td>\n | La Maison d\u2019Ariane had taken in 28 women and 23 children since opening, in 3 available rooms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| 1986<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||
| January<\/td>\n | Fundraising campaign. Target: $10,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| April<\/td>\n | Risk of shutting down. Only enough money left for 3 months. Application for $15,000 line of credit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| May<\/td>\n | Annual General Assembly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
| July<\/td>\n | SQ golf tournament: $800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||
5 community agencies join forces to secure their own funding :<\/p>\n
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