Montreal day centre for unhoused running out of operational funding, may have to close its doors

Resilience Montreal, a downtown day centre that works primarily with unhoused people from Indigenous communities, may have to close their doors if they don’t receive funding from the Quebec government.

The centre is set to expand in December with a move to a location on Atwater Avenue – but they continue to struggle with operational costs, giving them only three weeks of funding left.

Resilience executive director David Chapman and founder Nakuset met with Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant last October – at his request – after the centre asked for $350,000 from the provincial government.

Chapman and Nakuset said the tone of the meeting was positive, with signs of progression in helping Resilience through their financial shortfall. After constant follow-ups, they were surprised to find out in January that the money was not coming.

“It’s hard to trust the government and we really want to be in a place where we can have a good working relationship,” Nasuket said.

The day centre serves up to 1,000 meals per day to those in the unhoused community, with 50 per cent being Indigenous – and many are second generation Residential School survivors. 

‘I’ve never seen homelessness worse than it is now’

Nakuset adds that among the homeless population in Montreal, Indigenous people represent the highest by far.

The centre also provides apartments to clients who work in the centre and help clean up around the city. Chapman said this helps provide a new sense of belonging for those struggling to get back on their feet.

“Five years in an Indigenous-led organization (and) still the bulk of its operational funding is non-governmental. There’s no excuse for that,” Chapman added. 

Nakuset explained that their budget proposal was sent on time, detailing their plan to include more services, specifics of budget costs, and need for more services like mediators, security, mental health coordinators, and staffing. Many of the workers at the centre currently volunteer their time for free. 

“We need to figure out how we’re going to be able to make ends meet by the end of the fiscal year and hopefully have a dialogue with Lionel Carmant,” she said.

Chapman said that Resilience recently discovered that the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal will offer its support during the shelter’s crisis.

In a statement to CityNews, the regional health authority said they were not previously aware of Resilience’s situation, but since then, have taken the initiative to contact the shelter to better understand its needs and explore possible solutions. The CIUSSS has requested a meeting with Resilience.

As of now, Chapman said no financial commitments have been made.

Quebec’s Social Services Minister did not respond to CityNews’ requests for comment.

“It’s quite clear to us that not only does the minister not understand what it is that we do, but it seems he’s not too keen to understand,” Chapman said.

Chapman added that Montrealers can donate to the shelter by visiting Resilience’s website.

Many of Resilience’s clients explained that the shelter’s services are vital to them.

“I’m from the street, they help me a lot. They did everything for me,” one person said.

“It means a lot they help out everybody, and keep everyone warm and keep everyone fed,” said another.

“It’s like: guys, isn’t it time we find a way around this problem? You know, in this country that’s so oriented to reconciliation we can’t find our way around this problem,” Chapman said. “It seems there’s not a lot of motivation to find our way around this problem.”