A lottery to finance the construction of a crisis center in Abitibi-Témiscamingue

The crisis centre, which will be located in Malartic, represents a cost of more than one million dollars. If all lottery tickets are sold, the campaign will raise $150,000.

The Executive Director of Need Help 24/7, Marianne Chouinard, points out that at this time, the absence of a shelter in the region presents a risk.

It really causes us problems. Often, as it is there, there is only one trajectory: people are brought to the emergency room, but this is not the place. This means that one, we clog the emergency room and two, people come out of the emergency room very quickly and are left on their own , she said, adding that the region has a high suicide rate compared to the rest. of the province.

The crisis center will offer a temporary accommodation service, but also individual follow-up, support groups, orientation and referral services.

Basic care will be provided, but all the psychosocial aspect, there are professional workers who will be there to really help him get through this situation. The ultimate goal is to really prevent a suicidal gesture , specifies Marianne Chouinard.

Opening in less than a year

Need Help 24/7 plans to open the crisis center in July 2022.

We are really ready , assures Marianne Chouinard. She reports that the organization already has the land done and plans to sign the contract with the contractor in January and then begin work this winter.

We have more than 50% of the amount raised so far. We still have fairly large grant applications that have been made, and we are awaiting the results , she said.

For this campaign, individuals, businesses and organizations can purchase one of 3,000 tickets available, at a cost of $50 each.