In the summer of 1998, Hélène Lapierre took over the reins at the Centre du Vieux Moulin in LaSalle. Since then, she has passionately devoted herself to improving the lives of seniors by launching many projects to promote their independence and improve their living conditions. Thanks to her leadership and the support of her team, the centre has become successful with major initiatives such as its seniors’ café, a space for socialization that provides food services, as well as the free Moulin Bus transit service.
In honour of our 50th anniversary celebrations, Hélène told us what Centraide means to her.
Centraide of Greater Montreal is 50. Happy anniversary!
I’m Hélène Lapierre, Executive Director of the Centre du Vieux Moulin de LaSalle, a community and volunteering agency that has been serving people aged 50 and over and providing them with a space for socialization and support for 25 years. Our agency has counted on the financial assistance and guidance of Centraide of Greater Montreal since 1988.
We are very grateful for this support. Our agency brings together visionary and passionate people who are determined to make a real difference in the lives of the seniors in our community. I am privileged to work with excellent younger recruits as well as dedicated employees, resources and volunteers on our team. Together, we want to help build a community space that is firmly rooted in its neighbourhood.
Our agency is very proud to have developed in line with the needs and new realities of seniors. Over the years, we have deployed innovative and viable projects to address food insecurity through the seniors’ café, public transit with the Moulin Bus, and social isolation with our community team. We have also applied a territorial approach by adding a dedicated social development position.
Centraide supports the ability of community agencies to act and serve as levers for social change in their communities. Centraide has also given us opportunities to learn to better evaluate and demonstrate the impact of our actions; carry out strategic planning to promote equity, diversity and inclusion; and help implement social pricing. Our relationship with Centraide is more than financial, as they are truly a partner that generates positive change and fosters community synergy.
I once performed a song at the launch for a Centraide campaign in Montreal’s Old Port. This was a magical, moving experience that I will always remember fondly.
“Centraide is a partner that generates positive change and fosters community synergy.”
– Hélène Lapierre, Executive Director, Centre du Vieux Moulin de LaSalle
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5 out of 5 people benefit from it.
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