Bienvenue aux stagiaires!!! Welcome students!!!

La formation terminée, les stagiaires relèvent les défis du travail avec énergie et enthousiasme. Et ils sont plus nombreux cette saison. Sans eux, notre travail ne pourrait se faire

In addition to social work and law students from McGill University and l'Université de Montréal, as well as a diaconal intern from the Center for Christian Studies in Winnipeg, this year we welcome students from the University of Manitoba and Sherbrooke.

We will no doubt be breaking our 2015 record of 18 student interns! Their contribution ensures MCM remains a dynamic and innovative presence in the downtown core and beyond. Essential work gets done and the people we serve are touched by their compassion and devotion.

Long life to MCM students - past - present and future!!

Imagine...

IMAGINE...

...if behind every refugee there was a team of high-powered lawyers fighting for that person's chance to settle in Canada. That's often what I think about when I see the files of our clients at Just Solutions Legal Clinic. Their stories are so compelling and the law should be on their side, but they often simply do not have the resources to make their case. The fact is, when it comes to immigration law, it's not a level playing field.

When we are able to take on a case, our advocacy can have an enormous impact on an entire family's life.

Working at Just Solutions has opened my eyes to these aspects of justice that I hadn't really considered in law school. It's been wonderful to feel that with a law degree I really can make a concrete difference in the lives of others. It's inspiring to be a part of a team that is so committed to this work.

Claire K. Boychuk

Ce n'est qu'un au revoir!

Milles mercis à nos stagiaires d'été en droit et en travail social. 
Vous avez été formidables. 

We couldn't have accomplished all the work this summer without you. 
Best of luck for your fall semester at McGill U.  Stay in touch!

Sur la photo: Marianne Leaune-Welt, coordonnatrice de la clinique Solutions Justes, Gabriella Utretas Sandoval, Rick Goldman, superviseur, Maryam Lefebvre d'Hellencourt, Olga Houde, coordonnatrice de la Clinique Roger Snelling, et Mylène Barrière, avocate pour Solutions Justes.
(Absente ce jour-là, Marlene Tawfik, que nous remercions également.)

The Roger Snelling Clinic

Sheila cutting the ribbon

The Ribbon was cut….

…by Sheila Snelling at the June 7th launch at St. James United of the Roger Snelling Clinic – Mobile Legal Service for Seniors. The United Church family and larger social justice community paid tribute to the life and ministry of Roger through moving testimonies, music and enthusiastic presence.

Special guests David Armour, Director of Philanthropy of the United Church of Canada and Rev. Shaun Fryday, pastor at Beaconsfield United and chair of the Good Samaritan Fund that supports the clinic, recalled the steadfast witness of both Roger and his wife Sheila in countless projects and activities over the years.

Paula Kline and Olga Houde, the new coordinator of the Roger Snelling Clinic

Le nouveau président du Consistoire de Montréal de Église unie du Canada, M. Marc Grenon, a apporté des salutations. Marc a exprimé ses regrets de n’avoir jamais connu un homme si exceptionnel. Il a dit par contre apprécier énormément sa collaboration avec Sheila dans divers comités d'action sociale à travers les années.

Geoff, Jean & Liza

Happy 90th Anniversary UCC 

The celebration came to a fitting end as we wheeled out a birthday cake for the 90th anniversary of the UCC – a church that remains alive and relevant through the contributions of faithful servants such as Roger.

Neil Whitehouse, Lisa LeRoy & Geoff Duerden

Marc Grenon & Rev. Shaun Fryday

Paula Kline, David Armour, Rev. Arlen Bonnar & Jan McConnell

Paula and former Chair of the MCM board, Renate Sutherland

Roger’s devotion to community building and the equitable sharing of resources has had a lasting impact on numerous individuals and organizations. His legacy of kindness and justice will continue through the Roger Snelling Clinic!

The Roger Snelling Clinic

Join us for the launching of the

Roger Snelling Clinic

Mobile Legal Service for Seniors

Former MCM Director, Roger Snelling, was an exceptional and unique individual, whose passion for social justice was only surpassed by his integrity and authenticity. He worked tirelessly in the church, as well as in the wider community, to change things in the present and plan a better future for all.

In honour of Roger’s lasting contribution, Montreal City Mission is changing the name of

its seniors’ legal clinic to the: Roger Snelling Clinic.

Where: St. James United Church, 463 Ste Catherine Street West

When: Sunday, June 7th, 2015

What: Worship service at 11:00, followed by launch at 12:45 in Dawson Hall

SPECIAL GUESTS

David Armour

Director of Philanthropy, United Church of Canada Foundation

Rev. Shaun Fryday

Chair, Good Samaritan Fund

Sheila Snelling

Let us come together and celebrate

-------------------------

Venez célébrer avec nous

le lancement officielle de 

la Clinique Roger Snelling

une clinique mobile de services juridiques pour aînés

Ancien directeur de la McM, Roger Snelling était une personne unique et exceptionnelle, dont la passion pour la justice sociale n’était surpassée que par son intégrité et son authenticité. Roger a travaillé sans relâche afin d’améliorer le présent et de planifier un avenir meilleur pour tous. 

Pour souligner l'implication continue de Roger, la Mission communautaire de Montréal change le nom de sa clinique juridique pour aînés qui s'appellera maintenant la Clinique Roger Snelling.

Où: À l'église St-James, 463 Ste-Catherine Ouest

Quand: Dimanche le 7 juin 2015

Quoi: Une cérémonie religieuse à 11:00, suivie par le lancement à 12:45 

dans la salle Dawson Hall

INVITÉS SPÉCIAUX

David Armour

Directeur de la philanthropie, Fondation de l'Église unie du Canada

Rev. Shaun Fryday

Président, Fondation Bon Samaritain

Sheila Snelling

Au plaisir de vous voir!

Bienvenue Olga

Welcome aboard Olga!

We're happy to welcome Olga Houde to our team as the new coordinator of the Seniors' Mobile Legal Clinic.

Olga has a Masters in International Development from the Université de Montréal (option droit et institutions) and two Bachelor degrees in Political science/International Relations and Economics/Social Sciences from Montreal and Havana.

Olga comes to us from the Bureau international des droits des enfants where she has been working as an Administrative and Logistics Consultant since 2013. Olga speaks fluent French, English, Spanish and Russian with a basic command of Creole, and volunteers at Médecins du monde.

Bienvenue à bord Olga!

Nous sommes heureux d'accueillir Olga Houde dans notre équipe, en tant que coordonnatrice de la Clinique mobile pour aînés.

Olga possède une maîtrise en développement international de l'Université de Montréal (option droit et institutions) et deux baccalauréats en Sciences politiques / Relations internationales et Économie / Sciences sociales de Montréal et de la Havane.

Elle nous arrive du Bureau international des droits des enfants où elle était consultante depuis 2013. Olga parle couramment français, anglais, espagnol et russe, avec une bonne connaissance du créole, et elle est bénévoles à Médecins du monde.

Bienvenue Marianne

La MCM est heureuse d'accueillir Marianne Leaune-Welt, nouvelle coordonnatrice à la clinique Solutions Justes.

Marianne détient une maîtrise en travail social de l'Université McGill et elle a travaillé jusqu'à récemment pour Médecins du monde. 

Elle se joint à l'équipe formée de Me Mylène Barrière, Me Rick Goldman et quelques stagiaires en droit de l'Univerversité McGill. 

Bienvenue à bord Marianne!

Come celebrate the 10th anniversary of Just Solutions!

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello, Hello Hello

Andrea Dawes

MCM continues its period of transition with the departure  last month of Andrea Dawes, co-coordinator of the Just Solutions Clinic. Andrea will be moving with her husband Liam to Australia in July.

Andrea with a client at Just Solutions

Andrea – your dynamic and cheerful presence is already missed.  In addition to the devotion and passion with which you served the men and women at Just Solutions, you also found time to organize bike rides, benefit suppers and charity ping pong tournaments!  We will try to emulate your amazing spirit that has left a lasting imprint on your colleagues and on the organization. We wish you all the best ‘down under’ and look forward to pictures and stories of your adventures!

Mylène, Danny, Marie-Pier and Talia

And so a new chapter begins. 

We welcome Me Mylène Barrière as new coordinator of Just Solutions and Me Marie-Pier Leduc as new coordinator of the Seniors’ Mobile Legal Clinic. Both Mylène and Marie-Pier bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, as well as a strong commitment to creating an inclusive society where all receive the assistance and encouragement they require to live with dignity.

Nous souhaitons la bienvenue également à Danny Nguyen, étudiant en droit et bénévole, et Talia Joundi, stagiaire en droit.

Bonne chance et bienvenue à bord à tous et chacun!

Me Mylène Barrière

"C'est avec joie et fierté que j'intègre l'équipe de la Clinique des solutions justes/ MCM, dont l'engagement pour la défense des droits des plus vulnérables et pour la justice sociale m'inspire!" 

Mylène Barrière

Me Marie-Pier Leduc on Mount Kilimanjaro

"I feel privileged to be part of MCM's team; as Coordinator of the Seniors Clinic, I have a lot of interesting and challenging projects ahead, and I'm very excited to work with such dedicated and passionate people."

Marie-Pier Leduc

 

Talia Joundi

“Taking part in the work of MCM and Just Solutions is an important opportunity for me as a law student; it is a chance to be active in the support network for individuals and families with precarious immigration status in a real way. Recently, I thanked Rick (supervising lawyer) for taking the time to look over my writing, he gave me an amused look and said: “of course; we're a team here”. It's both the importance of the work, and the attitude of the team at Just Solutions that have me feeling so grateful to be here for the summer.” 

Talia Joundi

 

Danny Nguyen

“I'm very happy to be volunteering at the Just Solutions Clinics where I can use the skills I have acquired in university to help people in a precarious status. I'm also very glad to be surrounded by a great team of workers and volunteers who share the same passion of making a difference in the community.”

Danny

Kudos Rick!

Rick Goldman with family members

Congratulations to MCM supervising lawyer Rick Goldman on receiving a Doctorate Honoris Causa from the United Theological College for his long and faithful career serving Montreal’s most vulnerable citizens. Rick’s work, in particular with refugees and those with a precarious immigration status, has gained him respect and admiration in the community milieu, the church, academia, and the legal field, both in Quebec and Canada wide.

Previous to this honour, Rick was the recipient of the Médaille St-Yves from the Quebec Pro Bono Association, awarded at the annual meeting of the  Quebec Bar in 2013.

Rick, we are proud and thankful to call you our colleague and our friend. May your work continue for many more years. Mazel Tov!

UTC Principal Phil Joudrey, Rick, Paula & Etienne (Class 2014)

Félicitations à notre collègue Rick Goldman, avocat superviseur de la clinique Solutions justes, qui a reçu un doctorat Honoris Causa du Séminaire Uni pour souligner sa carrière exceptionnelle aux services des citoyens les plus vulnérables de Montréal. Le travail assidu de Rick, particulièrement auprès des réfugiés et de ceux ayant un statut précaire, lui a valu le respect et l’admiration du milieu communautaire, de l’église, du milieu académique et de celui du droit, au Québec et à travers le Canada.

Récemment, Rick recevait la Médaille St-Yves de l’Association Pro Bono, remise lors de la rencontre annuelle du Barreau du Québec.

Rick, nous sommes très fiers et reconnaissants de te compter parmi nous en tant que collègue et ami. Que ton travail se poursuive pour de nombreuses années. Mazel Tov!

UTC Board Chair Dr. Allan Fielding, Rick & Phil Joudrey

Good Luck Yolaine!

Yolaine (on the right) with colleagues Andrea Dawes and Rick Goldman

Our cherished colleague, Me Yolaine Williams, has left MCM to work at the Human Rights Commission. 

Though very sad to see her go, we wish Yolaine all the best in this new chapter of her career. 

Yolaine first came to MCM six years ago as a student, and then returned to work at our Just Solutions Legal Info and Accompaniment Clinic. Her dedication, professionalism and compassion for the people we serve, have always been an example for her students and colleagues alike. 

In addition to a heavy case load, Yolaine also played an active role in our community networks, most notably in the newly formed  coalition of non profit legal clinics, and in efforts to ensure non status children the right to attend school. 

Yolaine personifies the best in her profession as well as the MCM values of compassion, hospitality and justice. We have no doubt that she will continue to make an important contribution to the field of law, human rights and access to justice. 

Yolaine - ce n'est pas adieu - ce n'est qu'un au revoir. Bonne chance!

 

Thank you students!

Christmas, Hanukkah  and the holiday season are quickly approaching. And with this change of season, comes the end of the fall session for our law and social work student interns. 

Once again, we have benefited from their time, energy, enthusiasm and wisdom, while they have developed professionally through a dynamic front line experience.

Many thanks to Stephanie, Inhong, Hannah & Jessica.

We look forward to continuing our path together in the New Year.

Enjoy your break!

Hannah Wizman-Cartier

Inhong Kim

Jessica Walsh

Stephanie Hewson

A Smashing Success!

Thanks to our cyclists and sponsors, we raised over $8,500 for our work 

with refugee seniors, adults and kids!

What a beautiful fall day!  And what a fun bike-a-thon!  Our heartfelt thanks to all those who cycled, pledged, and cheered us on.  Spirits were high as the 3 MCM teams gathered in Pierrefonds on October 5th: Peace lovin’ pop-a-wheelies in support of the Just Solutions Clinic; Golden Wheels in support of our work with seniors and the Rollin’ Rockets from Camp Cosmos.

It was a great opportunity as well to meet up with community friends from the St. James Drop-In Center and Action Refugee Montreal (ARM).  Kudos to Paul, Jenny and the folks at ARM for raising a whopping $20,000!

Ben and Luke Ives gear up

After fastening helmets and pumping up tires, we set out on the bike paths around Île Bizard.

Tour de France Wade offers roadside assistance

Luke leads the way

Congrats to Wade Tour de France Eide who did the circuit 4 times for a total of 100K!! The fall colours and water front vistas were a joy to behold.

The morning ended with a delicious lunch provided by the Ride for Refuge folks and more opportunity for chats with friends and colleagues.

Jeff, Rick, baby Justin, Wendy and Claire

MCM board member Wendy Evans with Sam and Justin

Liam and Claire, ferocious Pop-a-wheelies

Rollin' Rockets team leader Molly Churchill

Go! Nicole Go!

Pop-a-wheelie Celeste

MCM board member Nicole Ives with family, Wendy & Paula

After this initial experience, we hope to recruit more riders next year. 
It’s an event not to be missed!

Photos: Tom Kingsbury, Andrea Dawes and Nicole Ives

-----------------------------------------

On another fundraising front……

Project Refuge (transitional housing and support for refugee claimants run by MCM for 22 years), became an independent organization in January of this year. PR is still going strong under the able leadership of its director, Sylvain Thibault, and a dedicated group of board members and volunteers – many of whom are former residents.

Cette année, le Projet Refuge prépare le Show pour les réfugiés Do 1Thing qui aura lieu le 4 novembre à 19:30 au Cabaret du Mile End . Une soirée Jazz'n Blues avec le groupe Kalmunity, le groupe le plus en vogue sur la scène montréalaise actuellement. 

For more information and to purchase tickets: 514-582-2917