Role of the Aline-Letendre Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Aline-Letendre Foundation is a philanthropic organization founded in 1984 to support the Hôtel-Dieu de Saint-Hyacinthe, the largest public long-term care centre (CHSLD) in Québec, now part of the CISSS de la Montérégie‑Est. Using donations and fundraising events, the Foundation redistributes significant financial resources each year to improve care, services and the living environment of older adults and people with physical or cognitive limitations.
According to its impact reporting, the Foundation grants more than $300,000 annually to the Hôtel‑Dieu and nearly $500,000 per year to the CISSS de la Montérégie‑Est for the well‑being of residents. Since 1984, over $10 million have been invested in concrete projects that directly benefit residents and their families.
Main funding areas and types of support
The Foundation does not operate open competitive grant calls but acts as a dedicated funding partner for the CHSLD and related services. Its contributions are channelled into several priority areas:
- Medical equipment and devices to maintain and improve the quality of health care, by purchasing and upgrading specialized equipment for the Hôtel‑Dieu.
- Furnishings and gardens, including layout of gardens and the rose garden, to offer safe and pleasant outdoor spaces where residents and families can meet.
- Leisure and living environment, financing regular cultural and sports activities, art workshops, music events, as well as zootherapy, massage therapy and music therapy.
- Food service and comfort, such as heated meal carts that keep dishes at the right temperature up to the units, and the refurbishment of the central cafeteria and common areas.
- Spiritual and community spaces, including ongoing maintenance of the chapel, a place of interfaith reflection rooted in the institution’s history.
- Adapted transport, notably the acquisition and operation of an adapted bus used for medical appointments and organized outings.
Supported audiences and overall impact
The Foundation’s funding targets mainly seniors and vulnerable people residing at the Hôtel‑Dieu de Saint‑Hyacinthe, coming from the greater Saint‑Hyacinthe area and the eastern Montérégie region. By focusing on both clinical care and quality of life, it complements the public health system with investments that would be difficult to cover through regular budgets.
Guided by values of humanism, benevolence, respect, collaboration and innovation, the Aline‑Letendre Foundation positions itself as a long‑term financial ally of the CHSLD. It mobilizes local partners, donors and volunteers through campaigns and benefit events, then reinvests the funds into projects that enhance dignity, comfort and social participation for residents.