Month: October 2012

L’Abri en Ville was honored on October 16, 2012 at a ceremony in Ottawa when it was presented with the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s National Mental Health Award. L’Abri took top place in the Community Capacity category, one of five areas recognized by the MHCC on the occasion of its fifth anniversary. This category comprises initiatives that strengthen the capacity of community-based mental health services to meet community needs, foster recovery and well-being for clients and their support networks. L’Abri’s application explained that “the initiative of L’Abri en Ville is to widen that narrow circle (of professional support, others with mental illness and family members) by creating an authentic community of around 100 people: 30 residents and 70 volunteers. The volunteers, whose purpose is to connect to the well side of the residents, open up other essential dimensions of recovery through their friendship and involvement.” Eleanor Beattie and David Seymour accepted the award on behalf of L’Abri en Ville. The L’Abri en Ville network groups, who represent the dissemination of this successful model, were included in this honor, namely Les toits d’Émile in Châteauguay, Our Harbour in Saint-Lambert and Ancoura in Ottawa.  

Wouldn’t you love to have fresh Florida Indian River Oranges and Grapefruits in your fridge in December? We are taking orders until Oct. 31^st. Pickup will be Dec. 3^rd and 4^th from 2-8pm at Mountainside United Church (Lansdowne Avenue, corner of The Boulevard, Westmount). Prices are: 20 lb. – $ 23.00  and 40 lb. -$ 38.00 Please call us at (514) 932-2199 or send us an email to info@labrienville.org to order.  

The L’Abri en Ville residents have designed a range of unique cards that are affordably priced at $5 for 6 cards and envelopes. All proceeds of card sales go directly to programming and outings for residents that they choose themselves. Past initiatives have included: camp in the Laurentians, a trip to 1000 Islands, Granby Zoo, Ottawa and the annual residents’ hamburger dinner night. If you would like to order a batch, or know of someone interested in group purchasing, please contact the office at (514) 932-2199 or at info@labrienville.org.  

On October 14, 2012, L’Abri en Ville residents, volunteers, staff and family supporters joined thousands in the streets to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives. At the start of the walk, Honorary Chair Margaret Trudeau spoke of the importance of community-based organizations. She challenged stigma and myths surrounding mental illness, reaching out to younger people in the crowd by quoting pop icon Lady Gaga “I was born this way.” After some lively music and a group cheer, groups walked along de Maisonneuve and Ste-Catherine, sporting burgundy toques that had been given out to all participants. Colourful signs made by walkers sported slogans such as “Mental illness is serious business,” “I have mental illness, but mental illness doesn’t have me” and “I didn’t choose to be mentally ill.” MWMH founding member and current L’Abri Board member Suzanne Herscovitch was very pleased with the outcomes. She noted that the impacts of the march were magnified thanks to the support of local media and sponsors. The L’Abri team set a goal of $5,000 this year and are thrilled that 75% of this has already been met, through in-person pledges and online.