The Valentine’s Day lunch at the Centre Communautaire Multi-Services Un Coin Chez-Nous was the place to be on February 13 in Saint-Chrysostome. The turnout was welcome news for Un Coin Chez-Nous president Gilles Bigras, but not a surprise, as their events often bring out a crowd.
Despite this success, there are many who still do not know about the community centre, said Bigras.
The organization first opened its doors in 1983 to serve the community of Saint-Chrysostome. Since then, it has grown to provide a range of services to people of all ages, from young families to seniors, including prepared meals, medical transport and accompaniment for errands, employment services, alternative justice service, and various courses and workshops.
“We served around 12,000 meals in the MRC region last year,” said Bigras, who admits the needs within the community are always growing.
The organization employs a community worker for people aged 50 and over who is responsible for reaching out to area seniors to ensure their needs are met by referring them to relevant resources, as part of the Initiatives de Travail de Milieu Auprès des Aînés Vulnérables (ITMAV) program.
The centre is also used as a refuge during heat waves and winter storms, and it runs a friperie for community members. “We are here to serve,” said Bigras, who highlights the success of the thrift store. “Around the holidays, we had a special, five dollars a bag. We had a lot of people coming all week long, and they were happy, and so were we.”
“We try to respond to everyone,” Bigras explained. “We don’t judge people when they come because they need help,” he added.
More information on the organization and its services is available by phone at 450-826-4425 or online at uncoincheznous.org. (SR)