Crisis Center Mission

The values of La Maison Sous Les Arbres essential guides allowing us to interact with the clientele, our colleagues and management in harmony, transparency and well-being for all of us.

We have chosen to define four values that we believe are essential, although others constantly challenge us every day.

Authenticity  is to be faithful to oneself (e.g. its beliefs) by being consistent in communicating with others, in expressing our emotions and in our actions.

Respect is reflected in the ability to listen and recognize the person as much in their strengths, weaknesses and uniqueness.

Trust is to run the risk of connecting with others by considering each individual’s potential, to identify their needs, to communicate with them, while being supported and considered.

Autonomy is the ability of a person to use their internal and external resources in reclaiming their decision-making power for themselves.

A bit of history

La Maison Sous Les Arbres was established in February 1983. Community organization is an alternative to institutionalization. The interventions focus on revaluing individual potential.

La Maison Sous Les Arbres opened its doors in July 1983.

In 1985, the resource is relocated on Principale Street in Châteauguay.

In 1986, La Maison Sous Les Arbres becomes the owner of a house on Gaspé Street.

In May of 1987, departure from Principale Street and purchase of a house on Robert Street.

In 1988, La Maison Sous Les Arbres’ "Parents et amis" support group is created, which later becomes "L’Accolade". Also, in 1988, La Maison Sous Les Arbres commissioned a feasibility study for the establishment of a crisis intervention centre in the Châteauguay area.

In December 1989, La Maison Sous Les Arbres relocated its day centre on Salaberry Street, which establishes three support groups for users: Le Campagnol, L’Avant-Garde and Le Dahlia.

In December 1991, a new team moves in, as well as a new director. Focus is on improving quality of life for our residents. The house on Robert Street is renovated for this purpose.

In 1992, a three-way partnership between the Pavillon St-Isidore, the CHAL and La Maison Sous Les Arbres is established. La Maison Sous Les Arbres’ role is to develop and update a rehabilitation and reintegration program. This partnership lasted for 3 years.

In March 1992, a 24/7 crisis intervention centre is opened to meet the needs for a large part of the population.

At the end of 1992, a new property on Anjou Boulevard was purchased.

In March 1995, a new transition and reintegration project is established. The lodging residence on Robert Street is transformed into a transition house, and a supervised apartment program is developed as a complement to social reintegration.

In 1996-1997, at the day centre, a service restructuring takes place, and evening workshops are set up.

In 1997-1998, the Maison Gaspé expands its mandate and offers 4 types of paths, with lodging.

In 1998-1999, Maison Robert and Écomotion are incorporated and a director’s position is created at the crisis intervention centre. A waiting list is implemented at the therapy centre. With the help of a client, a pilot coffee meeting project is set up.

In 1999-2000, Écomotion is mandated to provide training and postvention for suicide, at a regional level. The clientele that we now find at the Maison Gaspé is there temporarily for short or medium terms.

From 2000 to 2002, a change in management brings several changes, including the reunification of La Maison Sous Les Arbres’ various services. The house on Robert Street is sold, and the rehabilitation service moves to the house on Gaspé Street. The therapy centre moves into the extension. The main house renovation allows dedicating the second floor to lodging and crisis follow-ups. An open house is organized to inaugurate the refurbished premises.

Service-wise, the therapy program is revised. The crisis intervention centre of La Maison Sous Les Arbres gets the mandate to respond to the provincial suicide prevention line for its territory.

In 2003-2004, a therapy preparation program is implemented to try to clear the service’s congestion.

In 2004-2005, following the departure of the general manager, co-management is implemented to ensure the general management and clinical management of La Maison Sous Les Arbres.

In 2005-2006, the departure of a co-director requires management reorganization. In addition to general management, 2 clinical coordinator positions are created.

In 2006-2007, changes to the therapy centre program: a group is moved to the evening.

In 2007-2008, a new general manager arrives. In January, an overhaul of the two coordination positions is performed and they become the service coordination position.

In February of 2008, all the craftspeople who have collaborated with the MSLA mission are invited to celebrate its 25th anniversary with us.

In 2008-2009, a decline in group therapy service attendance lead us to reallocate our community and crisis intervention support resources.

In 2009-2010, two service agreements are concluded with the CSSS Jardins-Roussillon, for a third crisis bed and the variable intensity follow-up.

In 2010-2011, the board of directors mandated the general manager to look at different options to expand our spaces. Potential site visits, expansion projects on our current site, etc. Several scenarios are considered. The most realistic, given the circumstances, is the 94 Salaberry house purchase project, which opens out directly onto our backyard.

In 2011-2012, the house on Gaspé Street is sold and the 94 Salaberry house is purchased. Call for tenders went out and a contractor was selected. Renovation began in May 2011. The Support team was set up in their new premises in December 2011.

In 2012-2013, the MSLA updated with new technological applications: development of new statistical software for recordkeeping, in which the intervention structure "Intervene with the suicidal person using good practices" is integrated, and modernization of our website:www.la-msla.com