Our social involvement program combines the “Brigade de Propreté,” aimed at a cleaner neighborhood, and the Propulsion Program, designed to develop skills and support return to employment or school.

Our social involvement program offers valuable opportunities for active engagement and improvement of both personal and community life. The “Brigade de Propreté” is an initiative dedicated to maintaining a clean and pleasant environment in our neighborhood. Participants contribute to the upkeep of public spaces and receive immediate recognition for their work, while having a direct impact on their community. The Propulsion Program, on the other hand, is designed to help individuals develop professional and personal skills with a view to successfully returning to employment or even to school. Through diverse work placements such as cooking, housekeeping, and clothing management, participants receive personalized support to achieve their goals, whether it’s re-entering the job market or stabilizing their personal situation. Together, these components help build a better future while promoting individual and community growth.

A Distinctive Program in Constant Improvement

Propulsion Component

The Propulsion component of La Maison Benoît Labre is designed to help individuals enhance their socio-professional skills with a view towards a potential return to employment. This program provides participants with various work placements, notably in the areas of cooking, housekeeping, and clothing management. Each placement allows participants to develop at their own pace and according to their personal goals.

Here’s what the Propulsion Program offers:

• Skills Development: Participants work in different areas such as cooking, housekeeping, and clothing management, allowing them to develop specific and transferable skills.

• Personalized Support: A dedicated staff member responsible for the Propulsion component works closely with each participant to support their development, providing the necessary guidance and follow-ups.

• Personalized Goals: This component aims to help participants overcome the challenges they face and achieve their personal goals, whether it’s returning to employment, managing consumption, improving physical and mental health, enhancing social skills, or achieving residential stability.

The Propulsion Program plays a crucial role in creating opportunities for personal and professional development, offering concrete and tailored support to help each participant achieve their goals and improve their situation.

“Brigade de Propreté” of La Maison Benoît Labre

The “Brigade de Propreté” of La Maison Benoît Labre is committed to maintaining a healthy and welcoming environment for everyone. Established in 2022-2023, the “Brigade de Propreté” is part of the social involvement program aimed at individuals who attend the day center at La Maison Benoît Labre. This program is particularly beneficial for participants, as they are paid daily, directly after an engagement that typically lasts about 3 hours. Thus, individuals who may not be able to hold regular employment due to various issues, such as mental health problems, substance use, or lack of affordable housing, can improve their situation while positively contributing to the community.

Here are the services provided by the “Brigade de Propreté”:

• Cleaning of Common Areas: Regular and thorough maintenance of shared areas such as nearby streets, the neighborhood, and restaurant entrances.

• Waste Management: Collection, sorting, and disposal of waste, including that generated by homelessness.

• Hygiene Maintenance: Disinfection of surfaces and equipment to prevent infections and ensure a clean environment.

• Resident Support: Assistance in maintaining the cleanliness of residents' private spaces, based on needs and requests.

Our teams work hard every day to help the community live in a cleaner, more inclusive, and secure neighborhood. Over the past year, several citizens have noted a significant improvement in cleanliness in the Saint-Henri neighborhood since the brigade began patrolling the streets. It is not uncommon for passersby to take a moment to thank and congratulate the brigade members for their excellent work. This feedback strengthens participants' sense of belonging and accomplishment while helping to break the stigma associated with homelessness.

By implementing work planning sessions and encouraging proactive communication, we have observed an improvement in our team’s work ethic. Establishing a structured routine allows them to take their responsibilities seriously, be present at their posts at the agreed-upon time, and report any unexpected absences. We are confident that the continuation of these efforts will help maintain a safe and clean environment for the children and residents of our neighborhood.