Begging can often detract from the quality of life in the downtown Montreal area by creating a sense of insecurity among pedestrians and reducing the flow of customers to shops and businesses. Eight years ago, the Downtown Y centre, in conjunction with Tandem Montréal and Destination Centre-ville, launched the Dialogue program.

Dialogue recognizes the need for different downtown cultures to live together so that everyone-the homeless, merchants, and residents-can live in mutual respect and trust. As a result, the first phase of Dialogue sought to make these three groups more aware of the issues.

In the second phase, the Downtown Y centre consolidated its project thanks to a grant from the Destination Centre-ville business development corporation, which has become the program's principal source of funding. The team, which is made up of a coordinator and two full-time and two part-time social workers, works directly with the homeless population.

By walking the streets of the downtown area, these community workers make contact with the homeless and persons in difficulty. They provide information, support, referrals, and - if the clients wish - help in their efforts to regain their independence. These interventions affect various aspects of their clients' lives, from showering (hygiene) to obtaining identification and welfare assistance. They may refer clients to detox therapy, or help them gain access to housing, and in some cases, to the job market. The number of clients and persons being monitored has doubled in the past two years. The social workers work in collaboration with community organizations including the CLSC, hospitals and the police officers from the Peter McGill sector for references in health care and emergency services.

For more information, please contact Mélanie Richer at the Downtown Y centre,
514 849-8393 ext. 783.