Communitas Montreal

Your Support Can Change Lives

December 2, 2024

Dear friend of Communitas,

At Communitas, we believe in the power of community to bring about meaningful change in the lives of those returning from being incarcerated. Our mission is to create a space where everyone feels accepted, valued, and supported as they reintegrate into society. But we can’t do it alone—we need your help to continue this important work.

How Your Communitas Donation Helps

• Enabling Hope “19 years ago, I came to Open Door for the first time. I had to adjust to a new world; I came into a society that didn’t accept me. I met a volunteer who came to Open Door, and I experienced a sudden renewal in my self-esteem.”
• Fostering acceptance “For me, Communitas saved my life… I have the support I need, and I’m accepted for who I am now.”
• Building Community “I come here to socialize, for social networking (at Table Talk). It’s kind of a potluck, and everyone is really nice. It’s something different every week, I’m always meeting someone new, it’s nice!”
• Welcoming Environment “The acceptance that the clients needed in their life was accomplished just by them showing up.”
• Transforming Lives “Communitas has shown me that amazing, beautiful change is possible.”
• Building Trust “The truths at the core of Communitas’ work are that everyone is valuable, and everyone deserves support. When I come to Communitas and see everyone coming together and caring for each other, I just know it’s all worth it. I feel inspired to keep showing up for the community, even when it seems difficult.”

Your donation makes a real difference. It helps us provide support and acceptance to those rejoining society, create a welcoming environment for social networking, and offer programs that inspire and help build a safer society.   Read more in our annual report.

Please consider making a contribution to Communitas today. Together, we can continue to foster a community where everyone feels they belong and can be productive.
Thank you for your generosity and support.

Michele Rattray-Huish,
President
Mouvement Communitas Inc.

Donate now online: https://communitasmontreal.org/donate/ or  via e-transfer to [email protected],
Learn more: https://CommunitasMontreal.org

Thank you for being a part of our community and helping us make a difference

Sophie Teed is a recent master’s graduate who has joined Communitas’ team as volunteer coordinator! In this volunteer role, she hopes to serve Communitas’ growing community of volunteers by offering support and appreciation.

Sophie learned about Communitas in 2015 when her sister Rosy joined the organization as a volunteer. Her sister always described Communitas as an oasis in Montreal’s downtown core: a community where everyone is treated equally and where there is never a dull moment! Nearly ten years later, Sophie has followed in her sister’s footsteps by moving to Montreal and joining Communitas.

Equipped with over a decade of volunteering experience and her knowledge as a seasoned volunteer coordinator, Sophie is overjoyed to assume the volunteer coordinator position at Communitas Montreal. Sophie has been astounded by the level of care and dedication that Communitas volunteers extend to Montreal and its community. She aspires to serve and support these volunteers with the same commitment and intention they dedicate to Communitas. While working with Communitas, Sophie continues to develop her academic work on legal conceptions of harm and how legal systems can be adapted to consider “cultural” harm. It is her dream to one day be a lawyer that serves the common good through the principles of restorative justice and harm reduction!

Over 70 people attended Communitas’ Art Fair on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, raising more than $6,400. The Art Show featured many works of inmates, former inmates, volunteers and friends of Communitas.  The auction featured a silent auction and a called auction led by volunteer Will, who created much excitement in the room as he called out the items for bidding.

November 4, 2024

Re: Communitas Annual Appeal

To our dear friends and supporters,

We are coming to the end of 2024 and Communitas has much to report on!

Open Door. Open Door held its first Art Fair and Auction fundraiser in October. Prisoners, ex-prisoners and community members donated their art and the auctioneer had us bidding away! The surprise arrival of a few VIPs added even more shine to the evening, and over $6,500 was raised for Communitas!
We’re always exposed to new and exciting ideas at Open Door. The evening continues to grow with 39 new attendees joining since April, including 10 new ex-inmates or inmates escorted to the meeting.

Table Talk. Every Friday at noon, Communitas hosts a free hot meal at our offices. Attendance has been very good with 19-25 people showing up for lunch every week. Enthusiastic and inventive volunteers prepare meals with a variety of meat, vegetarian, salad and dessert dishes and the buzz of lively conversation can be heard as one enters the Undercroft. Everyone chips in to do the dishes, put away chairs and ensure that the premises are ship shape.

Chapel Activities. We have been blessed to have two CSC Chaplains, Benoit and Constantin, step up and sponsor us, allowing Chapel activities to resume once a month at both Montee St-Francois and Archambault Minimum Security prisons. Chapel continues twice monthly at FTC Medium Security institution with Chaplain Sabrina’s sponsorship, where attendance by prisoners is frequently in the high teens.

One-on-one Pastoral Accompaniment. We have increased our one-on-one pastoral visits to incarcerated men from two to four persons. In addition to providing pastoral support, this is an opportunity to identify men wishing to have a Circle of Support and Accountability (CoSA) when they are released.

As we start our 2024 annual fundraising drive, Communitas welcomes your donations for our activities. This is particularly relevant as we receive no Government funding, leaving us wholly dependent on donations from our members and supporters.
Donors can choose among three ways to contribute: (1) the DONATE button on our website www.communitasmontreal.org; (2) via e-transfer to [email protected], (3) cheques can be mailed to our office at 1444 Union Avenue. We issue tax receipts for donations of $20.00 or more.

We strongly encourage you to become a monthly contributor. This assists with our long-term planning, especially as we continue to envision serving a greater client base.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all members, supporters and well-wishers for your financial and moral support, without which our work could not succeed.

Michele Rattray-Huish,
President Mouvement Communitas Inc.
1444 Union Avenue,
Montreal QC,  H3A 2B8

Tel: +1 514 244 6147

www.communitasmontreal.org

In this edition, read about Prisoner’s Justice Day in Montreal, this year’s picnic/corn roast at Marie’s, the upcoming Communitas Art Fair, some Communitas memories for our 25th year, and an interview with Margaret, who has been a volunteer for 25 years.

Robert Morell’s “Bob Appetit” has made it into the Montreal Christ Church Cathedral’s “News from the Cathedral” newsletter. We are posting the article plus a link to the full newsletter.

Dear friends,

I am pleased to announce the publication of Bob Appetit, an 80-page collection of 52 of my favorite recipes – soups, cookies, cakes, and favorite meals.

The recipes are easy to prepare and a wonderful addition to any kitchen.  Inspired by my desire to provide men leaving prison with healthy, inexpensive meals, it is equally valuable to any amateur or more experienced cook.

Bob Appetit is available in softcover at $20 or hardcover for $30.

• Free delivery is offered in the Montreal West End and West Island area.
• For delivery by post, please add $6.

All profits from book sales will go to Communitas, a volunteer organization that supports men, both in prison and upon release, as they re-enter society.  Communitas depends solely on donations to fund their prison chapel visits and programs such as Open Door, and Table Talk.   I am proud to volunteer in such a worthwhile cause!

Please let me know, by return email, if you would like to order a copy of Bob Appetit.

Thank you for your consideration!

Bob Appetit!

Kind regards,

Bob Morell

[email protected]

Recently on the French-language Qub Radio station,  Colin,  a longtime Communitas regular, talked about his experience of reintegrating back into society after spending 29 years inside.

The Communitas Annual General Meeting, held May 22, 2024 selected a new Board of Directors for the new year 2024-2025. The Communitas by-laws stipulate a new board be chosen every year.

The new board includes Top Row: Michele, Chair/Treasurer; Steve, Vice-Chair; Jeri, Secretary; Peter, honorary member; Bottom Row: Sabrina, Donald, Pauline, Rosalie.