Maison Transit 24
This is your Home
Are you a woman with or without children,
experiencing domestic violence?
We are here to help you.
Transit 24 is a shelter
for women - victims of domestic violence
We accommodate them to allow a period of
respite and provide solutions to their problems.
About Us
Transit 24 is a shelter for women - victims of domestic violence. All services we offer are free and aim to welcome and support these women and their children. Through personalized confidential support, we help them find solutions to their problems.
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Member of the Alliance of Second-Stage Shelters and of the Consultation Board on Domestic Violence in Montreal North, Transit 24 is committed to providing a very safe environment and services that empower women from all walks of life to build a better future.​​
We believe that every woman can love herself the way she is,
define her future and change the world.
Services we Offer:
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Phone hotline for emotional ventilation, reception or referral;
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Individual meetings for listening, intervention plan and follow-up;
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Group activities and socio-cultural activities with mothers and children;
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Support for mothers and children;
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Public awareness activities;
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Post-accommodation follow-up for women and children.
We offer our services in 12 languages: French, English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Lingala, Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian, Creole, Bulgarian and Ukrainian.
Our Mission
Maison Transit 24 is a non-profit organization that helps Quebec women, immigrants, women with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, and their children. Our mission is to help our clients break the cycle of domestic violence by providing direct assistance.
Our ongoing goal is raising awareness among women about domestic violence, encouraging them to seek help in shelters, and offering them protection support that allow them to achieve autonomy.
During her stay at Transit 24, the woman, far from her parents and friends, finds herself in a neutral environment that encourages her to reflect and make informed decisions to get out of her situation, without being influenced.
The women and children welcomed into our home come from diverse cultural communities. Our interventions are designed to respect the individual, their worldview, their value system, and their needs.
With our External Consultation Office (BCE), Transit 24 also aims to raise awareness among homeless women about the issue of domestic violence and to offer them various listening, support and guidance services in their efforts to regain control over their lives.
Our Success in Numbers
Our counselors aim to support you and help you
take back control of your life.
Our History
In 1987, a group of immigrant and Quebec women, driven by their own life experiences or sensitized to the problem of domestic violence, met to establish the foundations of a shelter.
These women, residents of the Ahuntsic neighborhood, chose this location to establish this haven of peace, which provides support and comfort to women and their children who are victims of domestic violence.
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The name Transit 24 suggests both the transition period its customers experience and a 24-hour service.
Our Journey
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1988: Transit 24 was established in a two-bedroom apartment that housed five people
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1990: Transit 24 expanded to accommodate up to 9 people - thanks to a grant from the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
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1993: With the collaboration of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), a large house with a capacity of 15 beds was acquired.
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2010 et 2011: Renovation and expansion work was carried out on the common areas of the house, which required the house to be closed for a few months. But the results were incredible.
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2013:
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Fundraising campaign organized by the Quebec Business Women's Network (RFAQ) under the direction of Ms. Louise Cadieux, the Chair of the Board of Directors.
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The same year also saw the opening of an External Consulting Office, in response to the growing number of requests.
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2016: The External Consulting Office is being closed due to significant costs and a lack of funding; this remains a challenge to be addressed in the coming years.
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2018: On September 21st, Transit 24 celebrates its 30th anniversary!
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450,000 interventions, served around 33,000 meals,
for an average accommodation rate of 97%.
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The thirtieth anniversary was an opportunity to look back at the evolution of the House from its beginnings to the present day.
Special thanks to our Federal Member of Parliament, Ms. Mélanie Joly, our Board of Directors, and our closest partners and collaborators.
The credit for this undoubtedly goes to the women, both current and former residents, who eloquently and often very movingly shared their experiences and the positive impact Transit 24 has had on their life journeys.
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2020: The Covid-19 pandemic is forcing us to review all our internal hygiene practices in order to continue meeting the needs of women to be accommodated in shelters.​
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2022: Re-opening of the External Consulting Office.
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2025: Opening of the 2nd Stage House.
Testimonials
I wanted to share a thought from my heart: your availability, your welcome, your generosity really touched me and I wanted to say thank you, thank you and thank you again.
Thank you for all the support and especially for the guidance, because I was even afraid to take the subway. Thank you also for making me feel at home, as we could prepare our traditional dishes while talking about our problems. It was a very enriching experience, and at home, I'll be able to cook dishes from other countries. What's more, one of the other guests became a friend. I was so happy when I left the center.
I've come from far, and when I arrived in Canada, I was afraid of the unknown, knowing no one. I was betrayed by the person I relied on and trusted the most, and it was strangers who saved me. You gave me the chance to have faith in life and to rebuild my life. Thank you so much.
I love you all so much, you are all beautiful flowers in bloom; beautiful role models, as different as they are beautiful, and with whom we can identify to grow in beauty! So thank you ALL for EVERYTHING xxx.
I went through such difficult times that more than once I thought I would never see the light at the end of the tunnel. At each of those moments, you were there to comfort me and help me find solutions.
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence definition
The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.” (Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN General Assembly Resolution 48/104)
Do you have doubts?
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You're not happy in your relationship.
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You feel like you're walking on eggshells, like you're never good enough, and that everything is always your fault.
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You put a lot of energy into making things go smoothly, into preventing your partner from getting angry.
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You feel like he's watching and controlling you.
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He has jealous outbursts, insults you, and belittles you.
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He threatens you, intimidates you, and claims you're a bad wife and even a bad mother.
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You're not sure if what you're experiencing is violence.
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You feel alone and isolated, and you wish you could talk to someone confidentially.
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You don't know if you should leave home.
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You wonder if it's the right thing to do.
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You feel guilty and ashamed.
Know that you are not alone and that help is available to you. You can call SOS Domestic Violence, go to a CLSC (Local Community Service Center), or a women's center such as Transit 24.
In case of emergency, call 911 for the police, 24/7. Violence, whether physical, verbal, psychological, economic, sexual, or spiritual, is unacceptable, intolerable, and unjustifiable.
However, if you need more information, don't hesitate to ask for help. We need to break the silence.
Our Services
Become the Part of our House
Are you a woman, with or without children, experiencing domestic violence?
We are here to help you. Transit 24 is a shelter for women victims of domestic violence. Our mission is to provide these women with the necessary respite and offer them solutions to their problems.
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We offer our services in 12 languages: French, English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Lingala, Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian, Creole, Bulgarian and Ukrainian.​
Accommodation for Women and Children
At the shelter, in a safe environment and a warm atmosphere, you will experience community life with women who have lived the same experience as you and with staff available to support you on a daily basis.
Support for Women and their Children
During certain legal, judicial or administrative procedures, women and children can benefit from the support of a counselor.
Do you need to talk and be listened to, but don't know who to confide in? At the Shelter, we are available for you at any time, with or without an appointment, 24/7.
Phone Hotline;
At the shelter, a staff member will schedule intervention and follow-up meetings with you. If needed, a staff member will be available to discuss any concerns you may have and to answer your questions.
Individual Meetings
AT the shelter, socio-cultural activities and outings are organized according to the needs of the women and children. Our residents choose themed activities, in which they wish to participate.
Group Activities;
To raise awareness of our organization, we focus on community outreach activities.
We promote our services to the public whether through meetings with target groups or at information booths.
Awareness-Raising Activities;
Help: Step by Step
Whether this is your first or your hundredth act of violence,
now is the right time to leave, and we are ready to welcome you.
At Transit 24, you will find a plethora of resources to help you get through this.
In addition to taking the time to fully understand the scope of your situation,
we will provide you with tools to support you.
Steps to Take
1
Contact us
Contact us by calling us at this number and/or by writing:
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Phone : (514) 383-4994
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Email : direction@transit24inc.com
2
We're listening to you
A Transit 24 representative is available to listen to you.
She will build a relationship of trust with you so that you feel safe.
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Assessment of your Needs
Our staff member will assess your needs to ensure we provide a service that meets them. For example - if you have a child, or require accessibility due to reduced mobility.
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Moving to Maison Transit 24
Our staff welcomes you to Transit 24. Now you have access to a room, meals, activities for you and your children, as well as 24/7 support.
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Follow-up with our counselors
During your stay with us, our facilitators offer developmental sessions twice a day, to provide the support you need. In addition to organizing formal meetings, our facilitators are available to you 24/7.
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Moving On
When you feel ready, you can leave the shelter. But our staff will remain available for you at all times.
Second Stage Housing
Transit 24 offers safe and affordable accommodation for women and their children - victims of domestic violence, who previously were at our Urgency Housing. They can live here, continuing their process of regaining power and developing their autonomy.
For Transit 24, a Second-Stage Home is more than just accommodation. It's a community-living environment that nurtures mutual support and partnership among residents.
Unlike the home for assistance and accommodation,
which is positioned as a short-term Urgent Response,
the Second-Stage Home offers medium-term accommodation.
The services offered to the women and their children housed here are the same as those we offer in our Emergency - The First Stage - Shelter:
- Secure and confidential transitional housing;
- Specialized services for women victims of domestic violence;
- Individual and group interventions;
- Specialized services for children exposed to domestic violence;
- Listening and supporting services;
- Assistance with legal processes (court, youth protection services, etc.)
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All services are free; the accommodation cost is approximately 30% of its actual cost.
To be accepted and housed at the Second Stage, you must be referred by your caseworker at the shelter. The intervention team will contact the applicant and schedule an interview. Applications are then reviewed by a selection committee..
External Help Office
External Consulting Office - BCE - is a service that Transit 24 offers to women victims of domestic violence and their children, who are not or are no longer housed in our main home.
Personalized support and guidance are offered based on individual needs. This service is available Monday through Friday.
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At BCE, we offer the following services:
- - Phone Hotline and Consulting;
- Support with social and legal procedures, criminal complaints, civil court, etc.
- Advice and guidance;
- Group workshops.
BCE for Youth
Our BCE Service is also available for children that are exposed to domestic violence.
We are sensitive to the experiences of these children and the consequences they may face. The Youth Intervention Program specializing in domestic violence aims to support children aged 5 to 17 in their challenges by offering them a voice and a safe space to express themselves.
The External Youth Service includes:
- Individual meetings for children and/or their mother;
- Listening and psycho-social intervention;
- A personalized intervention plan tailored to the child's needs;
- With the mother's consent, collaboration with staff or teachers at the child's school;
- Preparation for supervised visits
Etc.
The frequency and location of the meetings are determined jointly by the mother and the facilitator.
For Children
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Children staying at Transit 24 have access to a youth worker who is available to help them understand and identify the dynamics of their feelings and behaviors. Transit 24 has a dedicated space to provide children with appropriate individual or group support. Specific tools have also been developed to best meet their needs.
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Children:
"Here we can play without getting into fights."
"I don't like it when my mom cries a lot at home."
"I like it here, and I also like it when mom is alone with me."
Your Donation makes Huge Difference
T24 is a government-funded organization.
We receive just enough funding to meet our basic needs
of providing shelter for women and their children.
For anything extra - a birthday cake for a woman, a toy for her child,
a trip to a museum, or an outing on a beautiful sunny day - we need your help.
Any help, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated.
Contact Us
Our counseling staff will be happy
to talk with you and help you.
Rest assured that you are safe with us.
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Write to us or call us;
We are here for you 24/7
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514-383-4994
