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Ricochet, the West Island’s only homeless shelter, reopened at a new location this past Monday following the abrupt closure that took place at the end of May. The shelter was waiting for its new permanent location set for January, when it was ordered to vacate the premises at its previous temporary location which caused 48 shelter users to be back out on the street.
Tania Charron, the executive director of Ricochet, was devastated for her clients and pulled in the resources to provide them with backpacks, bus tickets and as many supplies as possible that she could gather with a two-week notice. Ricochet staff remained in contact to the best of their ability with shelter users while Charron worked tirelessly to find a new temporary location. After weeks of meetings with public and private landlords, city officials and real estate professionals, Charron was able to pull it off. “This is a huge relief, I can finally sleep better knowing that we can accomplish our mission. For me it was a tragedy, so knowing that we can open a 24/7 program that will have an impact on the lives of people is so important,” Charron told The Suburban.
The Montreal Ignatian Spirituality Centre agreed to rent their building to Ricochet for a year, as the previous tenants, a successful YMCA program for Ukrainian refugees in transition, has recently vacated the premises.
The new temporary Ricochet Centre will be located at 9451 Boulevard Gouin West in Pierrefonds. The beautiful grounds surrounding the building, that was originally designed for a Jesuit monastery, will give shelter users additional comfort during their stay. “Our new temporary location will be a true haven, allowing Ricochet beneficiaries to rest and recharge,” Charron said. “The large wooded area by the water, combined with better-adapted facilities, including a kitchen, cafeteria, and more showers, will perfectly meet our needs.”
Ricochet’s 24/7 shelter service will allow beneficiaries to rest, eat, shower, wash their clothes, and be redirected to other specialized services as needed. They will also receive support and guidance from psychosocial workers, a practice that is at the heart of the organization. With 48 permanent beds at the Ricochet Centre, the shelter not only provides a roof but also helps vulnerable people and veterans reintegrate into society by offering a stable environment, psychosocial support, and guidance towards housing stability.
Shuttle and social mediation services remain in place to facilitate access to Ricochet’s services and promote harmonious relationships in the community.
“We knew that the Ricochet Centre wouldn’t be closed for long because our organization is known for achieving the impossible,” Charron said.