Chez Doris acquires historic home to open day shelter for vulnerable Montreal women
Chez Doris has acquired the Fulford Residence, which it plans to reopen as its newest day shelter for women.
The organization's staff feel it's an important move, as Montreal sees growing needs among women in vulnerable situations.
The 170-year-old building with a spacious dining room that seats 100 along with 20 single bedrooms will serve as traditional housing for women in vulnerable situations.
"We are facing a lot of difficulty during the last two years to have enough room for our women, and now here, it's a beautiful place," said Chez Doris executive director Diane Pilote. "We are in their environment. They will come here because they will feel at home."
The building on Guy Street has always been dedicated to the housing and care of women.
"This building is not only a building, an architectural house, it's also a mission, and it's also the memory of that type of mission in Montreal's downtown history," said Heritage Montreal assistant policy director Taika Baillargeon.
Fulford House has been vacant for nearly three years following the death of a third of its residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was a seniors' home for women.
Heritage Montreal said it has been supporting Chez Doris's efforts to acquire the building ever since it closed.
"It's the memory of a time, a great period of construction and building, but also of constructing institutions and social services - and also social and public spaces in Montreal," said Baillargeon.
At La Rue des Femmes, Louise Waridel said funding for non-profits that help women is slim these days, and it's why she's celebrating the win for the community.
"It's not just a roof, it's not just to give more money," said Waridel. "There are people, there are many people who need also therapeutic help to be able to get somewhere."
Some renovations are still needed at the residence, and Chez Doris is not wasting any time.
"We expect to be able to receive our first women on the 50th anniversary of Chez Doris in 2027," said Chez Doris board of directors member Carole Croteau.
Until then, Chez Doris staff and members will be hard at work outside with a gardening project in the front yard starting this summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.