Who we are

The Old Brewery Mission began as a soup kitchen founded in 1889. 

As the needs of the homeless population in Montreal have grown, so have the programs and services made available to those in need. 

Several factors contribute to homelessness: poverty; inability to pay rent; stress associated with job loss; family crisis; drug or alcohol abuse; gambling addiction and very frequently, mental illness.  No one is immune from the possibility of becoming homeless.

There are approximately 20,000 homeless people living in Montréal. The need to come to their aid is evident.  The homeless men and women come from varying language, ethnic and social groups with the majority finding themselves alone with no family or friends for support. These factors all point to the importance of the Old Brewery Mission - we are there for them.

The Old Brewery Mission provides four levels of services all in an environment of the utmost respect for our clients:

• Emergency Services: temporary overnight services including a meal, a hot shower and a change of clothes.

• Transition Services: a way to get off the street with the support of counsellors and the development of an action plan geared towards finding a better life.

• Housing Services:  apartment housing owned by the Old Brewery Mission or other available options throughout the city.

• Services for Women:  responding to the specific needs of homeless women who are often on the streets for reasons much different than those of men.