How can we resolve the deep causes of homelessness? The answer is sustainable upstream solutions. We’re convinced that, through an approach that focuses on continuous accompaniment, we can reduce the number of people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
Prevention will now be one of the three key axes of the Old Brewery Mission, alongside emergency services and
rehousing. Our Emergency axis consists of meeting the basic necessities of people who are experiencing homelessness and accompanying them on a path to autonomy. Our Rehousing axis refers to our work to facilitate long-term residential stability.
To make this ambitious yet feasible threefold plan a reality, we’ve established a strategy, and we need your support to bring it to fruition. The investments required over five years come to $50M, of which we will commit $40M to existing operations and $10M to new projects. Keep in mind that the return on this investment will be even more socially impactful, as we’ll be working toward one common objective: sustainable social reaffiliation. This means breaking the cycle of homelessness once and for all!
We are inviting the entire community to mobilize. The needs of people experiencing homelessness are desperate and the health of our community is at stake. People have been left behind in the past, but we can repair the social fabric that has been frayed.
Louis Audet
Chair of the Board
James Hughes
President and CEO
The Old Brewery Mission is leading its major fundraising campaign to continue supporting vulnerable people at every stage of the intervention cycle. Find out more.
About the Old Mission Brewery
Our priorities
Campaign cabinet
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We’re calling on you and your generosity to help us maintain our current programs and broaden our range of services.
Since 1889, the Old Brewery Mission has been an invaluable resource for thousands of people facing homelessness in Montreal.
In the past, the main goal of the Old Brewery Mission was to offer a meal to get back one’s strength and a bed to keep warm for the night. However, acknowledging that this temporary fix does not adequately help support people in leaving homelessness behind, we have evolved our services to make psychosocial support our key focus.
It’s never too early or too late to break the cycle of homelessness, and we seize each opportunity that presents itself to give new momentum to people facing homelessness.
Through our programs, we wish to create sustainable reaffiliation for the clients of our services: this means that they can renew the relationships they lost with different spheres of society. We accompany them in their progress so that they can weave a strong social safety net and leave homelessness behind for good.
It’s through customized services and programs that we will meet the needs and individual challenges of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Our prevention services aim above all to prevent people from experiencing homelessness, by reducing the risk factors that can lead to it.
We would like to have a real impact on reducing the number of people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming so.
Through programs targeting specific challenges, such as physical or mental health issues, and with complementary outreach services, we work to stabilize each person as quickly as possible.
Making rehousing possible, facilitating it and maintaining it are three of our key objectives.
More specifically, we aim to foster autonomy and residential stability while accompanying people toward social reintegration.
The success of our 2023-2028 Major Fundraising Campaign relies greatly on the dedication of our campaign cabinet, made up of key influential players in the Montreal community. The Old Brewery Mission is proud to be able to count on committed individuals who are determined to help us break the cycle of homelessness.
Your donations will be used to maintain our current services, while adding new programs and projects to our offering.
to increase the number of people staying off the street each year.
to reduce the time spent in our emergency shelter programs.
to diversify our community housing options with psychosocial accompaniment.
with the aim of improving our prevention, emergency and rehousing services for women.
The Old Brewery Mission depends extensively on its donors so that it can carry out numerous innovative projects and maintain its regular services.
We would like to thank our generous donors who have already made a commitment to our major campaign.
Fondation Marcelle et Jean Coutu
Fondation Mirella et Lino Saputo
BMO
Cogeco Inc.
Maria S. Roy
McConnell Foundation
Molson Foundation
National Bank
Québecor
The Rossy Foundation
Bombardier Inc.
Canada life
CDPQ
CGI
CIBC
Claude Deschamps & Brigitte Barrette
Claude Garcia
Colin J. Adair Charitable Foundation
Dunlop-Hébert family
Echo Foundation
Eric T. Webster Foundation
Fondation J.-Louis Lévesque
GDI Integrated Facilities Services
Godin Family Foundation
Hydro-Québec
Industrial Alliance
J. Armand Bombardier Foundation
Jocelyne, Émilie & Louis Audet
Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites
Letko Brosseau & Associates
The Luc Maurice Foundation
Maxi
Metro Richelieu Inc.
Mongeau Family Foundation
The Peacock Family Foundation
RBC Foundation
Beneva
Doggone Foundation
Hylcan Foundation
James Barriere Foundation
Keurig Dr. Pepper Canada
Mitch Garber
Michael Novak
Pomerleau
Sun Life
The George Hogg Family Foundation
Transcontinental
WSP Inc.
“At a time when the need is great, the Old Brewery Mission is a real pillar of Montreal's social safety net. Involved in the Montreal community and guided by its purpose: to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. The Bank of Montreal is proud to continue its actions for a more equitable and inclusive society by supporting this important Montreal institution.”
“The Rossy Foundation is committed to the health and well-being of people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness. We are pleased to contribute to the Old Brewery Mission’s Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness campaign and to support its efforts to strengthen prevention services.”
“A strong community is one that cares for all its members. The McConnell Foundation is proud to support the Old Brewery Mission's Break the Cycle of Homelessness campaign, to build a more just, inclusive, and compassionate future.”
“The Molson Foundation is proud to support the Old Brewery Mission. By breaking the cycle of homelessness, we can restore hope and dignity to those in need, creating a stronger, more compassionate community for everyone.”
“The Old Brewery Mission’s major fundraising campaign is essential to strengthening social safety nets and providing the means to break the cycle of homelessness. Cogeco is proud to be involved in creating a lasting impact.”
“Quebecor is proud to support the Old Brewery Mission's fundraising campaign, as it plays a vital role in breaking the cycle of homelessness in Montreal. We are committed to help the Mission foster sustainable solutions for those in need within our community.”
In the winter of 1889-1890, Montrealers Mina Douglas and Eva Findlay created a soup kitchen that was to become the Old Brewery Mission. This kitchen saw its first transformation in the Twenties, when it became a shelter for men experiencing homelessness. Ever since, the Old Brewery Mission has never stopped evolving.
Our guiding principles are at the core of what we do.
From important decision-making to our daily interactions with the people we serve, these pillars inspire our actions.
Interested in making a difference by donating to our Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness campaign? Contact the Major Fundraising Campaign Team.
