Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Roland-Gauvreau Youth Shelter

Roland-Gauvreau Youth Shelter (Maison d’hébergement jeunesse Roland-Gauvreau) is an autonomous community non-profit based in Joliette, in the Lanaudière region of Quebec. Since 1983, the organization has operated an Auberge du cœur that provides emergency and medium-term housing to young people aged roughly 18 to 30 who are homeless or in difficulty. It offers not only shelter and basic needs, but also accompaniment toward social reintegration so that young people can regain stability and autonomy.

Over time, the organization has expanded its services with initiatives such as the Pavillon pour Elle, a non-mixed shelter opened in April 2023 for women, with or without children, experiencing homelessness or severe precariousness. It can host several families at a time and works closely with regional partners in Lanaudière to support women in regaining control over their lives.

Beyond housing and psychosocial support, the organization manages targeted financial assistance within specific projects. The “Mieux vivre” project aims to support women with children who have stayed at the Pavillon pour Elle in maintaining stable housing. For a defined period, these families receive financial support to help cover rent, electricity and other essential costs, along with regular follow-up in their living environment. This positions the organization not only as a service provider but also as an administrator of direct financial aid to vulnerable households.

In addition, the IDÉAL project (Initiative, Développement, Épanouissement, Autonomie, Lanaudière) supports youth aged 16 to 30 who commit around 30 hours per week to group activities. Participants receive an allowance, funded by Services Québec, while they work on life projects, acquire skills related to the transition to adulthood, self-care and self-knowledge, and co-design workshops. Although the allowance is publicly funded, the shelter plays a coordinating role in delivering this compensated programming.

Since its founding, more than 4,000 young people have passed through the Auberge du cœur. The mission focuses on improving the immediate living conditions of homeless or at-risk youth and women, preventing the deterioration of their situations and promoting recognition of their rights. Through its shelters and structured projects, the organization combines housing, psychosocial accompaniment, group activities and, where needed, temporary financial support directly to beneficiaries in the Lanaudière region.