At Elizabeth House we care about the future
Elizabeth House is a rehabilitation centre that offers a continuum of intervention and support services to families with children aged 0-5 years. We work primarily with young mothers and mothers-to-be who are experiencing serious difficulties adjusting to pregnancy or their role as parents. The approach to treatment is educational and therapeutic, focusing on the needs, and building upon the strengths, of the individual.
Services are provided to mothers and families through residential and external programs. Interventions focus mainly on the acquisition of parenting skills and life skills.
Founded in 1968, Elizabeth House has helped over 5000 young families through its residential and external programs. Services are designed to serve the English-speaking community in Quebec, and are generally offered in the greater Montreal area.
Helping young families since 1968
We helped over 5000 young families
A close collaboration with the foundation
Elizabeth House works in close collaboration with the Elizabeth House Foundation, a registered charity, founded in 1998 to support the work of Elizabeth House. The Elizabeth House Foundation helps some of the most vulnerable families in our community grow stronger.
Our mission is to support pregnant women, mothers and fathers in difficulty. We do this by raising funds for Elizabeth House. We are dedicated to the education, health and well-being of women and children, as well as building strong families.
Though Elizabeth House core funding comes from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, we depend on donations to be able to provide a full range of services and programs, help our clients develop their full potential, and successfully integrate into the community.
Our clients
Our clients present with varied and complex needs. Some require the services of Elizabeth House to help them transition into parenthood due to their young age and limited independent life skills, while others experience a difficult transition due to personal limitations caused by an intellectual disability or mental health condition. Instability with respect to housing, financial problems, inadequate support networks, abuse and/or exploitation, conjugal violence and addiction are other factors leading to vulnerability, which clients commonly experience. Besides, the experience of immigration can also result in social isolation and poor adaptation to parenting.
“There is a wondrous curiosity in every young mother. It is a strange miracle to see, to hold a living being formed in and coming out of one’s self.”
- Simone de Beauvoir
When I was in my teens, the staff at Elizabeth house help me more then anyone will ever know, I wish I could thank the staff that was there at the time (1977 - 1978) at that time it was a home for pregnant teens and unwed mothers. Yes, I lived there for about a year while I was trying to get my life in order, Thank you Elizabeth House.”
- Evelyn Robinson
I went to the Elizabeth House in the 90s. Going to school there was such a great experience. I am grateful to them always.
- Erica Edwards
I came to Elizabeth House when I was 14 years old and pregnant with my first child. I came here to finish my grade 8 and I got so much more. I made some friends that I will have for life. When I became pregnant with my son I moved into Elizabeth House with my daughter. I learned that life is not easy and you have to work for what you want. I also realized that it is OK to be wrong sometimes and it is OK if you don’t know the answers. I don’t know what I would have done without the support of Elizabeth House then and their support now. I will be forever thankful to the staff at Elizabeth House.
- Melissa
I thought about writing a Thank You card but I thought that a letter would better express my sincere appreciation to you all.
When I began the program at EH, I was problematic and had to deal with so many troublesome personal issues. My son was not my first priority and all I wanted to do was regain custody so that Ethan’s father would look like the bad guy.
During my time at EH, I learned so many valuable lessons that I will carry with me through life. The most important thing I learned and the one I am most thankful for, is that I learned to not only love my son all over again, but for the very first time ver I love myself. There is really now ay for met say thank you, but when I am a successful businesswoman and Ethan is a straight A student I’ll visit and you’ll be able to see for yourself just how important you all really are.
- Laura
Our mission
We deliver services with a unique mission of changing futures by working together supporting young families facing challenges in parenting, building on strengths and offering opportunities for growth and learning. Moreover, as an organization, Elizabeth House maintains core values in the areas of care, respect, collaboration, inclusion and growth.
Mission
Changing futures by working together, supporting young families facing challenges in parenting, building on strengths and offering opportunities for growth and learning.
Values
Care, Respect, Collaboration, Inclusion and Growth.
Vision
Children who are safe, secured and loved; parents who are supported and empowered, so families can have the opportunity to develop to their full potential.
Our team
We are committed to service through a continuum of interventions offered by our team which constitutes members with broad experiences and a dedication to creating remarkable outcomes for our clients.
Anitra Bostock - Executive Director
Tina Pallotta - Specialist in Clinical Activities
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Leigh Johnston
President
Retired assistant executive director of Batshaw Youth and Family Centres with experience working and living in Nunavik
Howard Nadler
Vice-President
Retired manager in health and social service
Geneviève Morin
Treasurer
Senior Manager Forensic Accounting and Financial Advisory Services, BDO Canada
Christopher Sztankovics
Secretary
Financial Advisor
Anitra Bostock
Member ex officio
Executive Director at Elizabeth House
Allison Kurz
MA, Pedagogical Counsellor Accreditation & Evaluation, Dawson College
Donna Varrica
Semi-retired communications specialist in institutional/educational communications and in the corporate sectors
Nyiah Songui
Medical Doctor
Kim St-Hilaire
Director of Human Resources, Shriners Hospitals for Children® – Canada
Brigid Quinlan
Director, Legal Affairs - Corporate & International Sector, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
Our Foundation Partners
Tara Sandler
President
Director of Strategic Education & Engagement, Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education
Christina Vongas
Vice-President
Retail Executive. Partner, ReTell Consulting
Geneviève Morin
Treasurer
Senior Manager Forensic Accounting and Financial Advisory Services, BDO Canada
Christopher Sztankovics
Secretary
Financial Advisor
Anitra Bostock
Member ex officio
Executive Director at Elizabeth House
Kaitlin Common
Manager of In-flight Services Cabin Crew, Air Canada
David Walsh-Pickering
Associate at Egon Zehnder
Tina Hillenbrand
Director, Orchard House Preschool
Jenny Bouras
Assistant Director of Financial Resources at the English Montreal School Board
Our history
Elizabeth House has been helping pregnant women and families since 1968. It was originally established by several churches, in response to the needs of pregnant teens and young women who planned to give their baby up for adoption shortly after birth and return to live in relatively stable and secure home environments.
The 1970’s saw the beginning of the reorganization and integration of health and social services. Elizabeth House was included in these reforms and the oversight of its governance passed from the churches to the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Most of the young women who come to Elizabeth House today have already decided that they want to parent their child. They are loving parents who are struggling to balance the responsibilities of parenthood with their needs as adolescents or young adults. Elizabeth House continues to provide a caring supportive environment where they can learn the skills they need to grow and succeed as parents and as individuals.
Make a donation
By making a donation to the Elizabeth House Foundation, a registered charity, you can help us provide the full range of services that young families need to succeed.
Make a donation
Get involved
While Elizabeth House relies on monetary and material donations from the public to supplement programs, volunteers are also greatly valued by our clients and staff, as an important part of our organization.
Get involved