Centraide of Greater Montreal: Building a Greater Montreal that is more just and stronger
Today at noon, Centraide of Greater Montreal launched its 2018 campaign with its traditional March of 1,000 Umbrellas. Thousands of people gathered in downtown Montreal with their umbrellas in hand to symbolize the protection that this vast network represents for thousands of young people, families, and seniors in difficulty who live in Laval, on the Island of Montreal, and on the South Shore.
The agencies and projects supported by Centraide help people overcome poverty and social exclusion. They support youth success, take care of the essentials, break social isolation, and build caring communities.
“We marched today to show that, together, we can provide support and shelter to thousands of people in need,” said Marie-Josée Lamothe, Co-Chair of Centraide’s 2018 Campaign and President of Tandem International. “We can give everyone the resources they need to grow and live in dignity and make a difference by showing our local love.”
Tens of thousands of donors, companies, unions and institutions are working together to make a significant impact in our community. I invite as many people as possible to contribute to the campaign and make Greater Montreal a great place to live for everyone,” said Stephen Bronfman, Executive Chairman of Claridge and Co-Chair alongside Ms. Lamothe.
Lili-Anna Pereša, President and Executive Director of Centraide of Greater Montreal, stressed the importance of building a more generous, more just and stronger Greater Montreal, neighbourhood by neighbourhood, so that everyone has the same chance to live in dignity and fully contribute to society.
We can make this happen by supporting innovative neighbourhood initiatives, effective agencies and concrete projects that citizens can get involved in,” said Ms. Pereša.
Centraide of Greater Montreal is active in the territories of Laval, Montreal and the South Shore. About 57,000 volunteers are involved with the 350 agencies that it supports, and 22,000 volunteers work on its annual campaign. Centraide has a presence in 18 regions in
Quebec and is supported by private, public and parapublic corporations and institutions as well as large trade unions. The money raised is invested locally to break the cycle of poverty and social exclusion.
Thank you to our partners—the RTL, STM, STL, Ville de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Ville de Montréal—for their help with the Centraide’s March.