Dans la Rue

Dans la Rue
Formation1988
FounderEmmett Johns
Founded atMontreal
TypeNon-profit
138449020 RR 0001
PurposeHomeless and at-risk youth ages 12-25
Headquarters533 Rue Ontario Est (administrative)
Coordinates1662 Rue Ontario Est (day centre)
Services
  • Night shelter
  • Social reintegration
  • Psychological support
  • Food and basic needs
  • External referrals
Official language
French, English
WebsiteDanslarue.org

Dans la Rue (formerly known as Le Bon Dieu Dans la Rue ) is a secular non-profit operating in English and French to meet the immediate needs of homeless and at-risk youth in the Centre-Sud area of Montreal.

History

Dans la Rue was founded by in 1988 by Catholic priest Father Emmett "Pops" Johns, who sought to help homeless youth in a non-judgemental, open minded way .

With a personal loan of $10 000, he purchased a used winnebago and began driving nightly shifts through the streets of downtown Montreal, serving hot dogs and distributing clothing, personal care products, and nonperishable foods.

Over the years the organization grew, opening an overnight shelter in 1993, known as The Bunker, the Chez Pops day centre in 1997, as well permanent housing units, and family services. [1][2][3][4]

Johns retired from active involvement in 2016[3] and died on January 13, 2018, aged 89.[5]

In recent years Dans la Rue has been a co-organizer of Nuit dans la Rue, which raises awareness about homelessness in Canada.[6][7]

Services

Today Dans la Rue has evolved into a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and volunteers, headed by a leadership team and board of directors.

Chez Pops Day Centre: Since 1997, the day centre offers a wide variety of services including basic needs (food, clothing, showers), access to social workers and health care professionals as well as job training and help finding housing. Other services offered include music and art therapy and continued education.

The Bunker: Since 1993, The Bunker operates as a night shelter for youth ages 12 to 21.

The Van: Since 1988, The Van, a modified motorcade, distributes food (traditionally hot dogs) and other not perishable items nightly throughout downtown Montreal and the surrounding areas. [8][9]

Episode 6 of Historia 's Dans Les Pas De documentary series is about Dans La Rue and its activities.[4]

The 2020 non-fiction novel L'Enfer d'une Fille de Rue, also focuses on the organization and street youth in Montreal more broadly.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ "Le père Emmett Johns « Pops » est décédé" (in French). Montreal: Radio Canada. January 14, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  2. ^ "Décès de Emmett Johns, alias Père Pops" (in French). Montreal: Radio Canada Internationale. January 15, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Legacy of Father "Pops" lives on at Dans La Rue in Montreal". Montreal: Montreal Gazette. March 13, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Épisode 6 - Père Emmett Johns «Pops»". Dans Les Pas De (in French). 2019. Corus Entertainment. Historia. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  5. ^ "Father Emmett Johns, dubbed "Pops" by street kids he cared for, dies at 89". Montreal Gazette. January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  6. ^ "Dormir une nuit dans la rue : des gens d'affaires le feront en appui aux sans-abri du 5 au 6 octobre" (in French). Montreal: Radio Canada. September 22, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  7. ^ "Une nuit et des promesses pour aider les personnes itinérantes" (in French). Montreal: Radio Canada. October 20, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  8. ^ "About Us – Dans la rue – Organization helping homeless and at-risk youth in Montreal". Dans la rue - Organisme d'aide aux jeunes sans-abri, en situation d’itinérance ou précaire à Montréal. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  9. ^ Herland, Karen (May 21, 2009). "Project rolls through the past of Dans la rue". Concordia Journal. Vol. 4, no. 16. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  10. ^ Isa-Belle St-Sauveur (March 2020). L'Enfer d'une fille de rue : sans-abri, drogues, prostitution, violence (in French). BELIVEAU EDITEUR. p. 20. ISBN 9782897931063.
  11. ^ "L'enfer d'une fille de rue" (in French). Montreal: TVA Nouvelles. February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.

Bibliography

  • Karabanow, J. (1999). Creating community: a case study of a Montreal street kid agency. Community development journal, v. 34 (4), 318. Doi:10.1300/J137v13n02_04
  • Karabanow, J. (2008). Getting off the street: Exploring the process of young people's street exits. American Behavioral Scientist, 51, 772. DOI: 10.1177/0002764207311987
  • Boivin, J.F., & Roy, É., & Haley, N., Galbaud du Fort, G,. (2005). The health of street youth. Canadian journal of public health, v.96(6), 432. Retrieved from

http://www.med.mcgill.ca/epidemiology/courses/EPIB591/Fall%202010/Class%201%20-%201%20Sept/Boivin%20-%20Canadian%20J%20Public%20Health%202005.pdf Archived July 30, 2022, at the Wayback Machine