On the streets of Montreal and inside its bustling day centre, Dans la Rue is creating safe spaces where young people can feel seen, respected, and supported. Whether it’s a warm meal from their iconic hotdog van or a quiet conversation with centre staff, the team is focused on building trust and creating a sense of belonging for youth facing some of life’s toughest challenges.
“There’s a story behind every young person we meet,” says Evelyne Côté, a psychologist at Dans la Rue. “Many have faced trauma, homelessness, family breakdowns, discrimination, and difficult life events. What they’re looking for most is a place where they feel recognized and valued.”
A different approach to care
For many, traditional systems and services can feel out of reach. Rigid rules and requirements, long wait times, and environments that don’t reflect their needs or reality can create barriers to accessing help. Dans la Rue is working to remove those barriers by offering flexible, compassionate, community-based care.
The organization provides a wide range of resources including emergency shelter, and essentials like clothing and prepared meals. They also offer psychosocial support from counsellors, social reintegration programs, academic support classes, a scholarship fund for youth returning to school, and an art and music room to spark connection and creativity.
“Every program at Dans la Rue is grounded in the principle of dignity and designed to promote stability and accessibility,” explains Côté.
Strengthening support through collaboration
The Medavie Foundation has been partnering with Dans la Rue since 2017, providing funding for two full-time mental health professionals and supporting their recruitment, training, and retention. A psychologist offers psychotherapy sessions upon request from youth, while a mental health professional is available for counseling and short-term support. These two resources also support Dans la Rue’s intervention teams through consultation sessions or clinical advice.
This collaboration has helped the Dans la Rue team better respond to complex situations and increased clinical interventions by 30% in 2024 alone.
“My visit to Dans la Rue reminded me of the power of a safe and supportive environment where young people feel seen, encouraged, and part of a community,” says Olivier Page, Director of Group Disability Management Operations with Medavie Blue Cross. “It’s in these spaces that confidence, aspirations, and social connections can be rebuilt. Every young person deserves that chance. Through the Medavie Foundation’s investments, we help make these opportunities real.”
Building trust
That philosophy is woven into every interaction at Dans la Rue. Staff take the time to build trust, with the understanding that connection often starts small. A shared meal, a moment of listening, or even just a consistent presence. Over time, these moments help youth reconnect with themselves, and then with others.
“Social connection is really at the centre of it,” says Paola Porcelli, a mental health professional at Dans la Rue. “Our focus is on showing these young people they belong somewhere, because that sense of belonging can change everything.”
The approach is deliberately flexible. Youth can drop in without an appointment, reach out when they’re ready, and return as often as they need. Mental health support is also embedded organically into the day centre, with on-site counsellors interacting casually with visitors to build familiarity and check in more socially than clinically. That openness makes it easier for those who may have disengaged from traditional services to take gradual steps and access support when and how they need it.
For staff, the work is deeply collaborative. “It’s like a beehive,” Porcelli says. “There’s a constant buzz of activity, and everyone supports one another, especially in moments of crisis. That solidarity is what makes our work possible.”
At Dans la Rue, measuring success goes beyond statistics. Every return visit and every small step forward is cause for celebration. “When they come back, it means they trust us enough to keep going,” Porcelli explains.
Creating pathways back to community
Together, Dans la Rue and partners like the Medavie Foundation are building a network of care where young people can heal, grow, and reconnect. By combining expertise, resources, and a shared commitment to dignity, they’re helping youth reclaim their place in the community.