Nurturing Families, Building Futures Campaign
In Quebec, 23% of children under 4 live in a lone-parent family. That’s 2.9 million children, or 2 out of every 10 young children.
Vulnerable young families, especially at-risk young mothers, face overwhelming financial challenges, social isolation and instability. Without essential support, their children are at high risk of developmental delays, educational challenges, and lifelong health issues. Families experience perpetuated cycles of trauma and poverty, and reduced workforce participation - ultimately creating a heavy financial and social burden.
With the right support, these families can build a brighter future. Maison Elizabeth House uniquely offers live-in, 24/7 care and guidance for young mothers combined with wraparound education, mental health care, and life-skills training programs.
Founded in 1968, Maison Elizabeth House has helped close to 6,000 families get a fresh start, stay together and raise happy, well-adjusted children. We reduce families’ need for lifetime public social services, which in turn reduces the cost to the public purse.
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.
Why are your donations essential?
Support the Vital Work of Maison Elizabeth House
CASE STUDY – LIANE BERRY
On her release from Maison Tanguay prison, Liane Berry was 22 and seven months pregnant with nowhere safe to turn. We had never received a referral from a women’s prison. But we believed in her and gave her a loving home and a haven of hope, transformation and mentorship during the birth of her child.
“Without Elizabeth House, my reintegration would have been much harder, and I might not have lived through that horrid situation. They offered me support, encouragement, and the embrace of a community that became the pillars of safety and well-being for me and my unborn child. It wasn’t just a shelter; it was a springboard to a new life.” – Liane Berry –
To help more at-risk young mothers like Liane, their children and their dads, the Nurturing Families, Building Futures Campaign seeks to raise $5 million.
Join us in empowering vulnerable young families to build brighter, independent futures. Your contribution makes a lasting impact.
Support our mission
Maison Elizabeth House
Maison Elizabeth House is a safe, nurturing and welcoming home that offers essential education and training to at-risk mothers aged 15-24 years, as well as the fathers who want to play an active role in their child’s life – empowering them to build strong and meaningful relationships with their children.
Many of our clients were in Youth Protective Services or foster care as children and now find themselves pregnant or new parents. Their lack of a nurturing home life, past trauma and poor education has left them unprepared to navigate adulthood and parenting. Despite their troubled backgrounds, our clients exhibit remarkable strength, courage, resilience, and a profound love for their children.
Our customized programming meets the moms and dads where they are at, on their parenting journey to build critical parenting and independent living skills and become self-sufficient. We collaborate closely with 44 public and private partners spanning healthcare, education, social and human services organizations.
“Maison Elizabeth House is a haven for young mothers and children as they transition into adult life. It provides a warm, safe space, with extra loving care from staff and fellow residents, allowing not only the mothers but also their children to thrive. Often, for the first time in their young lives, they feel significant, surrounded by a caring community.” Judy Martin; Batshaw Youth & Family Centres, Board Member, Youth Protection Delegate – CIUSSS-ODIM Foundation, Executive Director, Hylcan Foundation
Our $5,000,000 targetNurturing Families, Building Futures Campaign
The $5M Nurturing Families, Building Futures Campaign is a bold renovation plan that will upgrade and modernize two century-old residential buildings located in Notre-Dame-de-Grace - steps away from vital services such as public transportation, hospitals, community organizations, and parks that allow families to build a strong sense of community.
Upgrades to the Main House will create a safer, more nurturing home environment by enhancing the mothers’ living spaces, bedrooms, and children’s playroom, and also reconfigure the shared kitchen, dining room, and other communal areas. Upgrades to the PATH House will double the transitional housing capacity, expand the Community Kitchen and the Learning Hub, and enhance therapeutic and educational spaces for new program partnerships to help more young adults transition to independent living.
Our properties offer more than just a place to live—they provide a sanctuary and a safe place to raise their children that many of our moms have never experienced: the smell of home-cooked meals, the sound of babies crying, toddlers laughing, and moms celebrating their children’s milestones create an atmosphere of warmth and belonging, feeling like home when you walk in. A safe place to find their footing and begin their healing and growth journey.
The Impact
With your support, in year one, we will provide approximately 150 families with immediate access to accommodation and food whilst nurturing their resilience, knowledge, and skills to build their futures together - independently and successfully. Our programs and services:
• Improve family stability and empower independence
• Foster community and social connection
• Reduce food insecurity and improve mental health
• Break intergenerational trauma
• Reduce lifetime dependency on government services
“MEH attempts to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma by providing young parents an opportunity to be supported, to grow, learn, and develop the skills they need to prepare for parenthood, in a supportive and inclusive environment.” Zoe Hurtado, Reviewer, Department of Youth Protection
General Renovations
Learning Hub
Community Kitchen
Independent Living
Programming
How You Can Help
The total cost of the renovations to our Main House and PATH House is $5 million. We hope to begin phased construction work on the PATH House at the end of 2025 and the Main House in 2027.
In Liane Berry’s words, please provide a springboard to a new life for young women and young families. Your generosity is the difference between drowning and thriving for the next generation of at-risk young women and their children in Montreal.
Volunteer
If you would like to share your skills and experience, and make a difference in the lives of our young mothers, please join us in one of our dynamic settings.
Learn MoreSpecial projects
Support our projects for young mothers and children, including apartment renovations, summer camp, an education fund, literacy programs, and access to laptops. Join us in the annual Scotiabank Charity Challenge 5K to help raise funds for these essential initiatives.
Learn MoreHave a question?
You'd like to get involved, but are not sure where to start? Reach out to our team through our contact form, we'll be happy to discuss how you can help our team, our young mothers or the Elizabeth House itself.
Learn MoreMake 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