By Annie Dion-Clément An ex-addict tells us about his tumultuous life path from adolescence, when he started consuming, to life on the street, to today, now on the cusp of age 30. Adorned with several tattoos, with his lively eyes and great big smile, Victor […] See more
By Colin McGregor « I’m happy, » says Mélanie, smoking a cigarette. « But I’d be happier with a place to live. » She’s sitting on the grass under a leaky umbrella on a hot, humid summer day. She’s among those camped on the long, narrow green space along […] See more
By Colin McGregor The homeless encampment on Place Simon-Valois in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve where Stéphane Lefrançois, 55, froze to death last December 15th is no more. The building whose awning they sheltered under is for sale. The only trace is this one pillow and two blankets on […] See more
By Colin McGregor “Some people are hungry every day, they’re suicidal, and they come to see us. It’s the lot of the community group…” Marie-Christine, counselor at OPDS (Organisation populaire des droits sociaux, the Popular Organization for Social Rights, in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve) is emotional when she […] See more
By Colin McGregor “They’re throwing out people who have been thrown out (ils mettent les dehors dehors).” That’s how one long-time social worker saw what was going on this morning just behind the offices of Café Graffiti and The Social Eyes. A large group of […] See more
By Colin McGregor “Asking for social assistance is embarrassing. No one chooses to go on social assistance.” Lise (pictured) remembers the first time she had to qualify for social assistance after 23 years of work. “I got sick,” she remembers, grimacing. “You aren’t winning a […] See more
A former addict talks to us about his tumultuous journey, starting when he was a pre-teenager and began using drugs, to his time homeless on the streets, to the present, on the eve of his 30th birthday. A look at drugs by a graffiti artist […] See more
When looking at a photo of a stranger, we can’t tell what their personal or financial situation might be. Nor do we know their obstacles or their victories. But we can figure out the emotions, their feelings. That face can be yours yesterday, or mine […] See more
When I go home from work every day I spend some time waiting for the bus at the corner of Ste. Catherine and Pie-IX. And there, I see them. By Colin McGregor They weave in and out of oncoming traffic, often with a cup in […] See more
Behind the red door at 137 President Kennedy Avenue, at the base of the big church with the red roof, there’s a place of support and of healing for the area’s people in need. They congregate outside the door, lounging on the sidewalk, chatting with […] See more
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