Maison Interlude House (MIH) is thrilled to announce the start of its annual fundraising campaign. Unlike recent years, the 2023 campaign will not be based on the sale of poinsettias, but rather on the organization of a fundraising event to be held on December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

The evening will also mark the organization's 40th anniversary. When the organization was founded in 1983, it operated an emergency shelter for abused women in Prescott and Russell. But over the years, the organization's mandate has expanded... " Today, in addition to welcoming women and their dependents in its shelter located in Hawkesbury, MIH offers outreach services throughout all five counties, accessing our services through our satellite offices. Each year, MIH supports over 500 women through its outreach services in Prescott-Russell and SDG," explains Muriel Lalonde, MIH Executive Director.

An Entertaining and Important Evening

The event will take place as of 5:30 p.m. on December 6th at the Bonnie Glen Pavilion in Alexandria. The program includes a delicious meal, a Christmas concert by the L'Orignal Chorale de l'amitié, a silent auction and raffles! Tickets are priced at $150 each and are now on sale. To reserve, simply visit www.minterludeh.ca. Cash donations are also welcome and can be easily and securely processed on the MIH website.

The money raised during this fundraising campaign will be used to provide non-subsidized but essential services to our users. For example: purchase of essential items like food, basic needs, transportation, childcare, emergency financial assistance, Christmas gifts for the whole family during the holiday season, etc.

Large Prize Draw: Win a Vacation!

MIH is also organizing a large draw to raise funds! By purchasing a ticket for $25, donors have the chance to win a $3,000 gift certificate for a vacation at the location of their choice. The second prize is a pair of economy-class airline tickets to any destination in North America (including Hawaii, Mexico and the West Indies).

Those interested in purchasing tickets can visit www.minterludeh.ca for full details. This draw is made possible thanks to the participation of the Caisses Desjardins de l'Ontario, Marlin Travel Hawkesbury and the Air Canada Foundation.

A Committed Honorary Co-Chair

For this first fundraising evening, MIH is fortunate to be able to count on an honorary co-chair who takes the success of the event very much to heart. Made up of Geneviève Lajoie, Mayor of Casselman, and Francis Drouin, Member of Parliament, this co-presidency bears witness to the importance attached to equality at MIH.

“I accepted the role of spokesperson for Interlude House because silence is not an option when human dignity is at stake. Women's rights, children's rights—these are not just causes; they are imperatives that define us as a community. My years of front-line work have ignited a relentless passion for social justice. In the same vein, I see municipal politics, especially the role of mayor, as the front line of politics. Change doesn't happen in isolation; it's through our collective voices that we can transform lives and build a safer, more equitable community. I urge you to join us at this event. By purchasing a ticket, you're not just attending an event; you're making a profound impact on the lives of women and children who need our support” declares Geneviève Lajoie.

“Violence against women does not belong here. I want my son to grow up in a place where everyone can have the support they need and feel safe, both in and out of their homes. Maison Interlude strives to make that a reality in our region. Their work is invaluable so it is no question that I will always do what I can to support what they do”, concludes Francis Drouin.

Update on Second Stage Housing

It's no secret that the housing crisis has undeniably taken hold in our region. But for women victims of violence, this crisis can have dramatic consequences. "Since the pandemic, the average stay of a woman in our shelter has more than doubled. Some women stay in our shelter for a year! Last year, we sheltered 40 women and their children, but we had to turn down 86 women cause the shelter was full! That's unheard of. What happened to these 86 women? Chances are they stayed with their abuser," says Muriel Lalonde, Executive Director of Maison Interlude.

Despite all this, MIH's Second Stage Housing project has not found any funding. The organization has now mandated a firm specializing in affordable housing to return to the feasibility study stage. Plans are being revised to build a 41-unit building, half of which would be dedicated to women victims of violence. "We need units that will be rented at market rates to finance this construction. We're talking about a project costing over $10 million, which MIH will have to assume almost on its own, since no funding sources are available. But is it really up to our organization to make such a financial commitment? It begs the question. But in the meantime, women's lives are at risk. We have to take action," concludes Mrs. Lalonde.

Some revealing statistics
Last year alone:

• 40 women and 18 children stayed in our shelter
• 86 women were turned down for emergency shelter due to capacity issues
• 630 women used our outreach services
• 2469 hours of counselling were provided by our workers
• 1098 calls were made to our 24/7 crisis line
• We received 4271 calls for information and support
• Our counsellors answered 2820 text and chat messages