About

the refuge's mission

Founded in 1989, the Refuge des Jeunes is a community organization whose mission is helping homeless and struggling young men aged 17 to 26 by improving their living conditions.

we offer

50 emergency shelter beds
Community-supported social housing
Goods and services for basic needs
Support, referral and guidance
Raising public awareness
HOW DO WE FUND oUR OPERATIONS?
find out how

our history

Over the past 35 years, the Refuge has welcomed over 25,000 struggling young men from all over the world (Quebec, Canada and other countries), and has provided community-supported social housing for more than 200 of them.
All of the Refuge's actions seek to foster the integration of these young people and to improve their living conditions.

1987

1987 is designated International Year of Housing and Homelessness. Recommendation by the Comité Jeunes en situation d'itinérance of the Réseau d'aide aux personnes seules et itinérantes de Montréal, chaired by France Labelle, to open an emergency night shelter for young men aged 18 to 30. A provisional council is set up, consisting of the community: representatives from the S.H.Q., the Archdiocese of Montreal, Plateau Mont-Royal pastors, the homeless community and users. A young board member suggests the name “Refuge des Jeunes”; which is adopted. November: the Archdiocese of Montreal temporarily sets up l'Abri des Jeunes, in the absence of concrete policies or projects to address the needs of homeless youth. Young men aged 18 to 30 are welcomed. General Manager: Louise Bégin, c.n.d.

1988

Incorporation on August 30 of “Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal” and first founding meeting. L'Abri des Jeunes reopens in September for a second consecutive year because the new "Refuge des Jeunes" corporation is not yet ready to take in homeless youth as it does not yet have available premises. General Manager: Louise Bégin, C.N.D.

1989

The Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal officially opens in October. Following negotiations with representatives of the Archdiocese of Montreal, the Refuge moves into the premises of the Abri des Jeunes, which ceases operations. The Archdiocese cedes all equipment and assets worth approximately $60,000. Maximum age of admission reduced to 25. Capacity is increased to 45 beds, and 500 young men are accommodated between September 1988 and May 31, 1989.

1991

Singer Dan Bigras becomes spokesperson for Refuge des Jeunes. First occurence of a benefit concert, which would become the Show du Refuge in 1993.

1992

Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal now operates year-round. France Labelle, co-founder of Refuge des Jeunes, becomes General Manager.

1999

Implementation of the 6-unit Social Housing with Community Support project in October 1999.

2004

The Refuge is awarded the Prix d'Humanisme by the Association des médecins psychiatres du Québec.

2007

Launch of research on the trajectories of street youth. Co-authors: Christian Levac, a Refuge des Jeunes counselor, and France Labelle, the executive director. The book, titled La rue, un chemin tracé d'avance?, tells the stories of 21 young people who have experienced life on the streets. In 2009, Hurtubise HMH will publish excerpts from the research illustrated by photographer Christine Bourgier.

2009

Twentieth anniversary of the Refuge des Jeunes and tenth anniversary of the Social Housing with Community Support project, which increased its capacity from six to eighteen social housing units.

2011

Following the sale of the Saint-Louis de France church where the Refuge had been established, it had to relocate to a building acquired in 2010.

2012

From 2012 to 2014, the Refuge launched its first major fundraising campaign, Dons D'avenirs, successfully raising $1.5 million. This amount ultimately enabled the Refuge to meet its mortgage obligations by purchasing the building and to consolidate its operations.

2013

The Refuge receives the ESTIM Award from the Chambre de commerce de l'Est de Montréal in the NPO category.

2018

Creation of the Fondation Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal to financially support the Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal.

2019

30th anniversary of the Refuge and 20th anniversary of the social housing with community support project, which now has 22 units.

2020

The Refuge is adapting to the pandemic caused by the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19). The Show du Refuge celebrates its 30th anniversary with a special television broadcast and a large-scale campaign instead of an audience, becoming the No-Show du Refuge. France Labelle launches Le Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal: Trente ans en pays d'itinérance ou la douleur de la soie, published by Hurtubise HMH.

2024

Singer-songwriter Louis-Jean Cormier becomes the new spokesperson for Refuge des Jeunes.

our team

Our intervention team is made up of 18 members who welcome and assist each young person who stays at the Refuge. All of our team members have a degree in one of the disciplines related to the helping relationship:

  • Bachelor's degree in social work or psychology,
  • Delinquency intervention, social work or special eduation instructor technical diploma,
  • Intervention, social sciences, psychology or drug addiction certificate.
our levels of intervention

France Labelle

France Labelle worked in youth centers and women's shelters before co-founding Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal, of which she has been Executive Director since 1992. She is known for her public advocacy and initiatives in the fight against poverty, exclusion and homelessness. She has received a number of awards and recognitions for her community involvement, including:

  • 2024: Host of Regards sur l'itinérance, a 14-episode podcast series broadcast on Canal M, nine of which have been published on Radio-Canada OHdio
  • 2023: Named among La Presse's 12 true influencers for 2023
  • 2017: Knight of the Order of Montréal
  • 2017: La Presse personality of the week
  • 2016: Member of the Order of Canada
  • 2013: Persillier-Lachapelle Award. Excellence Award in the Community Involvement category, presented by the Réseau de la Santé et des Services sociaux in recognition of a 25-year career working with underprivileged youth.
  • 2011: Nominated and finalist. Chatelaine magazine's “Women of the Year” competition
  • 2006: La Presse Personalities of the Week: France Labelle and Dan Bigras
  • 2002: Robert Sauvé Award presented by the Commission des services juridiques in recognition of a contribution to the promotion of the rights of the underprivileged

In 2020, she published Le Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal : Trente ans en pays d'itinérance ou La douleur de la soie

team up with the refuge to make a difference

The Refuge is continuously looking for new allies to help support its mission, whether as volunteers or employees. Visit our Careers section to browse job opportunities, and check out our Get Involved section to see how you can make a difference as a volunteer.

careers
get involved

the youth

The young people welcomed at the Refuge hail from a wide range of backgrounds. Some come from Montreal, Quebec or Canada, while others have recently immigrated. The majority are under-educated (sec. III to sec.V), experiencing financial difficulty (nearly 50% have no income on arrival) or struggling with various issues, including substance addiction and physical and/or mental health problems. Nearly half of them have been in a youth center or foster home.

Representing far more than a single story of homelessness, their journeys tell hundreds of diverse stories, yet they all share the same common denominator: the urgent need to act quickly and professionally to improve their living conditions.

the levels of intervention


Here are just a few examples of the complex situations young people can experience, and the ways in which Refuge staff have been able to offer support quickly, professionally and efficiently to prevent their condition from deteriorating.

Simon is 24 years old

He was in a relationship with the mother of his child, but has recently separated and relapsed into alcohol use. By the time he arrives at the Refuge, he's on the verge of losing everything and is considering taking his own life.

the urgency to act

The Refuge's intervention team listened to him and welcomed his distress. They assessed his suicidal risk as high and offered him treatment, which he initially refused. After a few days at the Refuge, he agreed to be referred to a detox center, and since then his condition has been improving. He now hopes to initiate a reconciliation with his son.

Antoine is 18 years old

He was placed in a youth center following a situation of abuse in his family, with whom he has severed ties. In a state of revolt, he has been on the street for a month with no income. His only option is to come to the Refuge.

the urgency to act

The Refuge offered him a roof over his head, meals, a change of clothes, and the support he needed to apply for a welfare income until he could find work. Despite his rebellious streak, he completed one stay and then moved into a shared apartment.

Isoufou is 23 years old

He has just arrived from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he lived in a small village. His life was turned upside down when his father disowned him and banished him from the family for having sexual intercourse with a man. He then received death threats from his neighbours. Fearing for his safety, he had to flee his village and country. He arrived in Montreal in mid-winter with no money and found himself homeless, which made his situation even worse. Luckily, someone told him about the Refuge.

the urgency to act

The Refuge team first welcomed him and provided him with an explanation of its rules of operation as well as the information he needed to navigate around Montreal. However, he was uncommunicative and in great psychological distress, so the intervention team suspected that he was suffering from post-traumatic shock. Isoufou eventually agreed to talk to the intervention team about his background, which allowed them to take the necessary steps to ensure proper management of his migratory status. He was referred to a lawyer and an asylum application was launched. After lengthy procedures and a prolonged stay at the Refuge, he was admitted into the country as a refugee.

Jérôme is 22 years old

He lives with friends in an unsanitary environment where his safety is compromised. He uses crystal meth and ended up in hospital as a result of toxic psychosis. After a short stay that led to a return to the streets, he ended up at the Refuge. On arrival, he reports hallucinations and hearing voices. He seems to be in great distress, confused and scared.

the urgency to act

The Refuge team quickly put him in touch with a doctor, as he refused to return to a hospital. He was eventually referred to a specialized mental health team. During his stay at the Refuge, Jérôme met with a psychiatrist and received medication. As the days went by, his mental health improved and he stopped taking hard drugs. Given his progress, the Refuge team suggested he move into one of its social housing units with community support, where he still resides.

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