Pause-Bonheur Foundation, formerly known as Fondation Hébergement St-Augustin, is a Québec-based non-profit created in 1982. It supports several long-term care centres (CHSLD) and home-support services in the Beauport and Île d’Orléans areas through philanthropic funding. The foundation’s work focuses on comfort, social connection and quality of life for seniors living in institutions or at home.
Role of Pause-Bonheur Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The foundation raises donations from individuals, businesses and fundraising events, then channels these resources into concrete projects in five long-term care centres and among home-support clients. It finances activities, initiatives and equipment that bring comfort, entertainment and human warmth, and it redistributes funds fairly between the different beneficiary centres. An emergency fund has also been set up to quickly support people receiving home care in Beauport and on Île d’Orléans.
Supported audiences and overall impact
The foundation serves residents of Centre d’hébergement Saint-Augustin, Yvonne-Sylvain, des Chutes (du Fargy), Maizerets (unité J-5000) and Alphonse-Bonenfant, as well as seniors followed by the local home-support team. Its funding helps break isolation through cultural, recreational and social activities, and supports projects that offer moments of joy and respite for residents, their families and care staff. Annual reports highlight ongoing “bonheur” activities and grants that contribute to more humane living environments.
History and evolution of the organization
Initially focused on a single facility, the organization has progressively broadened its mission to several CHSLDs and to home-support clientele. The change of name to Pause-Bonheur Foundation reflects this wider mandate and its commitment to offering small but meaningful pauses of happiness in the daily lives of often very frail people.
Partnerships and funding approach
Pause-Bonheur Foundation collaborates with institutional partners such as the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale and programs like the federal New Horizons for Seniors, which has supported a grant for home-support projects. It also works with private-sector partners for fundraising campaigns. Rather than operating open competitive grant programs, the foundation focuses on identifying needs with care teams and allocating its financial support directly to priority projects and services within the centres and home-support network.