![Photo of a man sitting on a bench at the Old Brewery Mission reception desk in the Webster Pavilion.](https://www.missionoldbrewery.ca/media/pages/nouvelles/la-montee-de-l-itinerance-est-le-reflet-direct-de-la-crise-du-logement/71bcd10c2b-1725370376/le_devoir_3_septembre_2024-300x.jpg)
Photo: Marie-France Coallier archives Le Devoir
James Hughes, President and CEO, Nicole Beaulieu, Executive Director, Philanthropic Development, Dominique Lambert, President, Women's Services Committee, Solange Lavigne, Co-Director, Women's Services, Chantal Rollin, Co-Director, Women's Services, Robyn Cohen, Honorary Co-President and Director of Marketing at Modico Canada Ltd., and Lara Nourcy, Honorary Co-President and Executive Vice-President and Leader, Individual Insurance and Financial Services at Beneva, at the Old Brewery Mission Gala Mission pour Elles.
Montreal, May 31, 2024 - The Old Brewery Mission’s Mission pour Elles benefit gala was held on May 29, with 240 guests in attendance. A total of $260,830 was raised. All proceeds will be used to continue the Old Brewery Mission’s work and support the women experiencing or at risk of homelessness who come through its doors on their journey to long-term reaffiliation.
The honorary co-chairs of the event were Robyn Cohen, Marketing Director at Modico Canada Ltd., and Lara Nourcy, Executive Vice-President and Lead, Individual Insurance and Financial Services at Beneva.
Robyn Cohen is proud to have followed in the footsteps of her father, Morrie Cohen, who was involved with the organization for many years: “Through my father’s unwavering dedication to the Old Brewery Mission’s cause, I witnessed firsthand the tangible impact of social commitment in addressing homelessness in our city. I am honoured to have served as a co-chair to the Mission pour Elles Gala and to help many homeless women in our community.”
To Lara Nourcy, “the Mission pour Elles Gala is much more than an event: it is a declaration of love and solidarity with women experiencing homelessness in Montreal. This is an issue that touches me deeply: I know how important it is to have a safe haven and appropriate services to support vulnerable women in their efforts to rebuild their lives. I am proud to have acted as honorary co-chair and to be part of this noble cause, which offers a path to a better future for these courageous women.”
The number of women living on the streets of Montreal is increasing and resources are stretched thin. The Old Brewery Mission needs the support of Montrealers to help more women in need. “The Old Brewery Mission is grateful for the Montreal community’s commitment to the cause of vulnerable women,” said James Hughes, President and CEO of the Old Brewery Mission. “The funds raised will enable us to continue the emergency and rehousing projects that help women experiencing homelessness get off the streets permanently.”
The guests who gathered to support this eminently worthy cause mingled at the cocktail reception and enjoyed a performance by jazz vocalist Kim Richardson accompanied by the Blok Note Big Band, longtime partners of the Mission pour Elles Gala.
The Old Brewery Mission is grateful to the volunteers who made this event a success, including the members of its Women’s Services Committee: Dominique Lambert, Farah Gosselin Kafile, Marianne Lemieux, Nathalie Léveillé, Jill Martis, Caroline Phaneuf, Leila Serrhini, Phoudsady Vanny and Andrea Wolff.
The Old Brewery Mission thanks everyone who attended as well as its donors and partners for their generosity. Special thanks to: Beneva; Modico Canada Ltd.; Power Corporation of Canada; Baker Tilly; CBRE; Goldwater, Dubé; Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites; Katie and Martin Wong Family Charitable Foundation; Mirella & Lino Saputo Foundation; Morris and Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation; Fondation Marcelle et Jean Coutu; Nathalie Léveillé; and Air Canada.
More about this year’s Mission pour Elles Gala: missionoldbrewery.ca/en/mission-pour-elles.
Photo: Marie-France Coallier archives Le Devoir
Hannah Brais, Research Coordinator at the Old Brewery Mission.
Participants in the 21st edition of the Ken Reed Golf Tournament proudly present a symbolic cheque for the amount raised during the event.
A makeshift camp near Notre-Dame Street in Montreal.
Credit: Ville de Montréal - Sylvain Légaré