Special Projects for the English-speaking community
A fully bilingual social worker, member of the Québec professional order of social workers, is available to discuss difficult situations and to make appropriate referrals for health, social or community services.
Networking and Partnership Initiative (NPI): This initiative is a major project which allows Agape to work closely with the CISSS de Laval (CLSC’s, Cité de la Santé, Nursing Homes etc.) in order to sensitize them and help them in adapting Health and Social Services for Laval English-speakers. More about our membership in this network, the Community Health and Social Services Network (CHSSN).
McGill Retention of bilingual Health Professionals: This project works specifically to increase the amount of bilingual health and social service professionals working in our healthcare system. Some activities help french-speaking professionals who want to improve their English-language skills.
Youth Outreach: Agape sits on many committees and community tables in order to better sensitize different partners about the realities and needs of Laval English-speaking youth. We work with partners such as the health and social services institution, educational partners or partners working in the community. Together better access to health and social services are made more accessible for Laval English-speaking youth. One such committee was able to translate and adapt a youth resource webpage in order to help English-speaking youth who are looking for community resources.
Youth Literacy and anti drop-out projects: Agape participates on projects with our English schools, Ascend Leadership and the Community Learning Centre (CLC) to promote literacy and develop and implement projects for at-risk English-speaking youth. These are funded through the Regroupement Lavallois pour la réussite éducative (RLPRÉ).
Health and Social Services consultation: Agape also works with the Health and Social Services institution in Laval (CISSS de Laval), in addition to other services (See NPI above), in order to better inform Laval English-speakers about services at our public institution and how to access and to navigate these services. Not all services are offered in English but a regional access program does determine some key services that are offered in English, right here in Laval. We’re here to help with getting people connected to those.
Enhancing Regional Community Capacity (ERCC): Agape participates in a project that is funded by the Secrétariat pour les relations avec les Québecois d’expression anglaise. Through this funding, Agape works more broadly, with government entities and community organizations whose mandates are not in the health or social services areas, to better sensitize and adapt services for Laval English-speakers.
SENIORS
Agape promotes the value of our seniors in our community. We have in the past and continue today to organize inter-generational projects such as mentoring and projects where seniors help other seniors.
We held activities where high school students learned from the wisdom of retired or older professionals, clerics or trades people in order to help the student in their own career paths. We also had computer courses taught at first by younger adults but followed by Seniors teaching other seniors. Lastly, since the spring of 2018, Agape opened its very own Senior Wellness centre. Click here to find out more about the wellness centre.
Bread Counter
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, Agape gives out free bread, pastries, pizzas and other baked items in limited quantities.
Unfortunately, we do not know at what time these items will arrive, therefore we often have large crowds of people waiting for the bread… Another reason why we must sometimes limit the quantity that one person may have.
(This bread counter is made possible through the generosity of local supporters and volunteers such as an anonymous bakery, anonymous coffee shop and Holy Name of Jesus Parish.)
Food, Clothing and Toys
During the entire year Agape‘s main priority remains to keep feeding the underprivileged families. During Christmas season and Hanukkah, Agape prepares food baskets for over 1,250 people and during this period, we receive help from local churches, banks, car dealers, schools and families. Food basket campaigns ensue and through their generosity we are able to “get the job done”. The bigger challenge is throughout the balance of the year when we hardly have any food and families continue to knock on our door. During this time we struggle to keep up the supply/demand and that is why we welcome people to bring us non-perishable food items throughout the entire year.
Agape also accepts donations of toys, clothing and household items. Serving the multi-cultural communities means that many families arrive to Canada with nothing. Agape helps these families by giving clothes, toys and household items such as dishes, blankets and others.
If you want to make a donation, simply click on “DONATIONS.”
Transition House
July 2006 saw the opening of the “Transition House” a transitional place for homeless families looking for permanent homes.
When adequate living quarters are found, we help these families settle into their new homes. The “Transition House” was founded in order to help newly arrived immigrants, refugees and other victims who find themselves without shelter and food due to critical situations in their lives.
The “Transition House” is a fourplex in Chomedey, Laval containing four large 4½ apartments.
Agape’s support in other countries
Agape is in touch with the needs of underprivileged Countries.
We have local supporters of Agape who have come forward and suggested donating to underprivileged countries such as Haiti, Jamaica, Grenada, Congo, the Philippines, etc…
Agape has donated many books, toys, clothes and other accessories to these countries.
We continue to work closely with great volunteers such as Sister Connie Ramos, a Montreal resident, who works with St. Raymund Peñaforte Parish Youth Ministry in Mangatarem, Pangasinan, Philippines.
