Le Chaînon, a work of determination woven with solidarity.

1932

Création du Chaînon

Yvonne Maisonneuve opens her first foster home for girls on Fairmount Street in Montreal.

1940

Déménagement

The foster home moves to 101 de la Gauchetière Street.

1946

Service d'acueil

Addition of a service to welcome mothers with children, which will be offered for thirty-three years.

1947

Establishment of a service to welcome girls, which will operate for twenty years.

1950

The Institut Notre-Dame de la Protection is structured as an association whose members, working as urban missionaries, will be called "associates".

1971

Yvon Deschamps becomes its spokesperson. He was the voice of the Chaînon for 30 years.

1974

Expropriation forces the temporary closure of the house.

1975

Housed on Avenue Esplanade in a building loaned by the Priests of Saint-Sulpice. Employees and volunteers are beginning to expand the ranks of the organization.

1978

Adoption of the name Association d’entraide Le Chaînon.

1979

All housing services are now dedicated to single women.

1980

Yvonne Maisonneuve passes on Christmas day.

1984

Reorganization of the services offered, and addition of spaces to allow for longer stays.

1987

Redevelopment of housing units, and opening of 12 Stay-for-the-Night service placements and four emergency placements.

1993

Opening of the first Maison Yvonne-Maisonneuve, offering 14 placements for older women who have previously stayed at Le Chaînon.

2000

A fire results in the total loss of Le Chaînon's store, Le Coffre aux trésors, which reopens on September 13 at its current location, boulevard Saint-Laurent.

2003

Inauguration of the new Maison Yvonne-Maisonneuve, which is better adapted to the needs of the residents.

2011

Thanks to a major fundraising campaign, Le Chaînon becomes the owner of the building it has occupied since 1975.

2013

Celebration of the 80th anniversary of Le Chaînon, which has become the principal shelter resource for women in difficulty in Quebec. Le Chaînon’s promotional campaign “Maillon à maillon” is widely publicized.

2014

Establishment of Le Chaînon Foundation, dedicated exclusively to financially supporting Le Chaînon.

2015

The main House offers a new look after a major renovation project.

2017

Inauguration of Yvonne-Maisonneuve Park.

2019-2020

Le Chaînon celebrates its 86 years of existence.

2020

Renovation and inauguration of La Maison Sainte-Marie, a second-step women’s shelter consisting of 49 housing units.

2021

The government progressively lifts certain measures imposed during the pandemic. The Chaînon can resume its activities while respecting public health guidelines. Le Magasin Le Chaînon welcomes clients again and its fundraising campaigns and activities are adapted to be delivered virtually.