The Beyond
The making and delivery of sandwiches creates a pathway for frequent, communication with the shelters. We use this pathway to inform our community about the current and most urgent needs at the shelters. This provides people with an impactful way to connect and respond while creating important learning opportunities about the homelessness situation in our city.
In close collaboration with the shelters, we coordinate the collection of essential items such as seasonal clothing and hygiene products as well as supplies for people who are transitioning out of homelessness.
We use our connections with individual volunteers as well as schools, workplaces and other community groups as an opportunity to inform, educate and challenge the stigma and misunderstanding and disconnection frequently directed towards people experiencing homelessness.
Re-housing programs we currently support
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Essentials Boxes (kitchen, grocery, cleaning, bedroom and bathroom) delivered to people moving out of homelessness.
Hear what people are saying about The Essentials Box Initiative
The quality of these boxes and the care in preparing them, gives the beneficiary a strong signal that every effort is made to support them in their integration efforts, and it takes place in a spirit that respects the dignity of each beneficiary.
The difference between the feeling of home and a housing unit, can decide whether a vulnerable person can be stable in housing or not- the boxes allow a comfort that can improve the chances that someone will stay housed over time.
The Essential Boxes allow a person to take possession of their home with the assurance of being able to eat, sleep and shower with dignity the first night
Moving into a place after 2 years in shelters is incredible but also unsettling. These boxes have relieved such a stress of my shoulders. They've allowed me to settle nicely and comfortably. I am immensely grateful I had the chance to receive them and I want to thank anyone who was involved in the process
Hear what people are saying about our Clear Out Your Closet Campaigns
Beyond helping us feed Mission clients, the Bread and Beyond team also donated clothing and in this difficult time their contribution is simply extraordinary.
Hear what people are saying about our workshops and presentations
Students walked away [from the presentation] understanding that homelessness is not inevitable, that with adequate resources and the collective political will, it is a problem that can be solved. Until then, we can do our part to make life just a little bit better and a little bit easier for people who experience homelessness in Montreal…. Participating in the workshop was a great way to demonstrate to our students that, both individually and collectively, they have the power to make a positive contribution to society and offer hope to some of the most vulnerable and marginalized people in Montreal.
The presentation was excellent: Students learned a more representative definition of homelessness and the range of factors that can lead to homelessness while also being provided with current statistics showing the magnitude of the issue in Canada. As well, many myths around homelessness were debunked. But, most importantly, Kirstie presented the human side of the issue by sharing some of her encounters with people experiencing homelessness and their stories. Kirstie also made sure to end on a hopeful note by offering concrete solutions to target the problem.
Schools we visited in 2021
