Carrefour Familial Hochelaga helps families develop a sense of autonomy, and regain their self-esteem.
Carrefour Familial Hochelaga, a Centraide supported agency, has enabled Karine to regain self-confidence.
“When you’re a single mother, sometimes it’s hard; that’s all there is to it. You have to find doors to knock on to ask for the help you need, even if it hurts your pride a little. At Carrefour Familial Hochelaga, there’s a real group dynamic. People don’t judge you, they don’t point at you, they don’t laugh at you… So I started doing theatre workshops with them, and it really helped me come out of my shell. Now I’ve gone back to high school. And honestly, I realized that I’m really good at school, and that I even have a great artistic side. For the last couple of years, I’ve been trying to listen to my inner voice, more; to follow my instincts. I try to guide my child so he won’t have to deal with being bullied, or find himself on the same path I was on – I especially hope he never drops out of school. The person I’ve become isn’t afraid to look people in the eye.”
Carrefour Familial Hochelaga is a Centraide-supported agency whose primary mission is to support families in Montreal’s Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood, by providing them with an environment that is welcoming, caring, and open to listening. By focusing on the strengths of each individual, Carrefour helps families develop a sense of autonomy, and regain their self-esteem.
— Karine