The Old Brewery Mission opens new living spaces on its 135th anniversary
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Partners and Programs Dedicated to the Reintegration of Veterans
While it’s true the Old Brewery Mission offers a wide range of services, now more than ever, there is a pressing need to develop programs tailored to specific segments of the population. One such segment—veterans—have had access to the Opération Chez Toit and Sentinels of the Street programs, custom designed for them, for some time now.
Opération Chez Toit: A First Step Toward Support
In 2019, we worked with Veterans Affairs Canada to launch Opération Chez Toit, a gateway program to many of the Mission’s other services.
Opération Chez Toit is like a lifeline for homeless veterans, allowing them to gain some control over their psychosocial situation before transitioning to Sentinels of the Street or another program designed to help them keep a roof over their head. It’s a first step toward their successful reintegration into society.
Émilie Fortier, Director of Services, Saint-Laurent Campus
There’s no doubt about it—there’s a definite need for this program. As proof, consider the 11 veterans who have already been admitted to the program, 8 of whom have been moved into permanent housing. This project has led to numerous partnerships, allowing us to offer veterans a range of services that prevent them from falling through the cracks in the system.
Sentinels of the Street: Toward Stable Housing
While reaching out to homeless veterans is a crucial first step, being able to then steer them toward stable housing solutions is just as important. That’s why we’re so proud of Sentinels of the Street, a program we introduced in 2017, in collaboration with the Quebec Veterans Foundation, Veterans Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion, and VETS Canada.
The highly innovative Sentinels of the Street program is a source of tremendous pride. The first of its kind in Quebec, it provides veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with access to housing, as well as the support they need to get the different areas of their lives back on track.
More and more, we at the Mission are realizing that there’s no longer just one “type” of homeless person. Homelessness now comes in all ages, genders, shapes, colours, and sizes. The veterans we help are a reflection of this mosaic, which is why we’re so committed to meeting their needs.
Colin Robinson, Honorary Colonel of the Royal Montreal Regiment and Chair of the Old Brewery Mission’s Veterans Committee
Although they make up only a small proportion of our clientele—roughly 2%—homeless veterans have very specific needs related mainly to chronic health problems and mental health or addiction issues.
Click here to read about Jean-Maurice, one of the veterans in our Sentinels of the Street program.
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