Friday, December 17, 2021

News Release

Centraide Outaouais responds to agencies’ plea for help

GATINEAU – December 17, 2021 – Centraide Outaouais is investing $25,000 in emergency funding this winter for homeless or near-homeless people.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the sharp rise in Gatineau’s homeless community has led to a steady increase in the use of drop-in centres in Hull and Vieux-Gatineau. Meanwhile, the number of available places in accommodations has been cut to comply with sanitary measures. With winter’s arrival, stakeholders have raised concerns about emergency services for the homeless or near-homeless, who have few physical or financial means.

In response, the Centraide Outaouais Board of Directors moved to provide $15,000 to the Soupe populaire de Hull to open weekends and holidays and continue their meal distribution and psychosocial support services until March 31, 2022. An additional $10,000 to BRAS Outaouais will fund purchases of food, beverages, and necessities for the Hull and Vieux-Gatineau drop-in centres.

Both community organizations expressed their relief at this decision, which will ease some of the demand and provide support and guidance to the people who need it most this holiday season. “This support is truly appreciated, as it will help us meet the basic needs of people who use the Hull and Gatineau drop-in centres, while relieving pressure on organizations and workers,” said Annie Castonguay, Assistant Director of BRAS Outaouais and Manager of the Hull drop-in centre.

“This significant financial contribution will allow the Soupe populaire de Hull to open on weekends and holidays during the most difficult months of the year. We are grateful that Centraide Outaouais has responded to the concerns raised by the agencies working with the most vulnerable people in our community,” said Michel Kasongo, Executive Director of the Soupe populaire de Hull.

“Centraide Outaouais acted quickly to answer the agencies’ SOS call,” said Nathalie Lepage, Executive Director of Centraide Outaouais. “We were glad to help in view of the increased needs of people in precarious situations since the start of the pandemic, and we will continue to support the tireless work of these frontline organizations.”

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Contact:
Emilie Denois
Communications and Marketing Agent
gorin-denoise@centraideoutaouais.com
Mobile: 613-608-1617