Canada

National Organiser for Schemes

Premiers Pas Québec

Marie Claude Richer

Tel: +514 923 7747

Email: mcricher@premierspasquebec.org

www.premierspasquebec.org

Home-Start Calgary

Corinne Zimmerman, MA

Manager: Intervention Programs

Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary

p: (403) 520-1511 (ext 511)

f: (403) 276-9988

www.boysandgirlsclubsofcalgary.ca

http://www.boysandgirlsclubsofcalgary.ca/

Statistics 2008

Home-Start in Québec

Number of Children Helped: 254

Number of Families Supported: 97

Number of Volunteers: 80

Number of Schemes: 7

Home-Start Calgary

Number of Children Helped: 195

Number of Families Supported: 76

Number of Volunteers: 43

Number of Schemes: 3

Premiers Pas Québec

The Origins

Premiers Pas was first created in January 1989 through the hard work of Margaret Bishop, a social worker for families with young children with the CLSC Samuel-De-Champlain (a governmental social services agency). Mrs Bishop’s work has allowed us to identify the needs of families with young children, which are not being met by the government services. The organisation had to wait until August 1993 before it was given enough funding to recruit a coordinator as well as a secretary (both were part time). At that time, Premiers pas/Home-Start was located within the premises of another community organisation: L’Envol. Since then, Premiers pas/Home-Start has recruited and trained volunteers, received requests from families, and has organised matches, providing valuable expertise to the community. This community includes St-Lambert, LeMoyne, Brossard, Greenfield Park, and St-Hubert.

Since 1999, Premiers Pas obtained the necessary funding to expand twice. Today, Premiers Pas / Home-Start is well established in the following territories:

CSSS Champlain
Longueuil
Haut St.Laurent
MRC Jardins de Napierville
Salaberry-de-Valleyfield
St. Bruno de Montarville
Vallée du Richelieu

What people say about us

“The way Hugette helps me is super; she is calm, patient and open minded and talks about all sorts of things that help me to forget my problems. Whenever she comes round my shoulders relax as the stress disappears.” – Melanie

“I’m not underprivileged. I’m not seventeen with three kids. I’m not an alcoholic. My husband doesn’t beat me. But still, one day in 2002 I needed help. I was slowly sinking into depression. Soon I was paired with a young grandmother and although I was different to the previous young mothers she had helped, she never let that bother her and we would talk, and she would listen to me. She let me get to know her and that was very important for me. She came with all her compassion and humanity. She set an example for me and all those who come into contact with her. I thank her for coming into my life, but more importantly, I thank her for not leaving it!” – Colette

A mother is complaining to the volunteer: “I can’t afford to buy anything for my three children”. “Give them a minute of your love” was the volunteer’s response. “I’m not sure I understand” says the mother. The following week the mother tells the volunteer that one evening, while she was washing the dishes, she stopped everything, sat down, and played and laughed with her children. “Is that what you meant by a minute of love?” asked the mother.

“I have always done volunteer work, but I have never felt so much satisfaction as I have this year, visiting this young woman and her child. She gave me so much, I learned so much from her, yet I gave so little.” – Lise

"To me, it has been a real pleasure, a gift I receive every day I visit". Laurette, volunteer

"They know I will come. They believe in me and I believe in them and their desire to grow. It is a privilege to be a witness of these first steps.

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