A place to breathe.
Maison Oxygène Montréal offers housing and psychosocial support to fathers experiencing a personal, social, family, or marital crisis who are committed to strengthening the bond with their children. Fathers are supported in their personal journeys and the development of their parenting skills through a shelter service, transitional housing, or external follow-up care.
Supporting fathers
- A collective housing service with 12 rooms
- A transitional housing service with 7 apartments
- Community education workshops
- Father-child activities
Goals
- Stabilize the fathers’ situations
- Preserve and develop the father-child bond
- Strengthen parenting skills
- Support healthy co-parenting
- Prevent domestic and family violence
- Prevent homelessness
Who to contact
To obtain housing or support
514 655-6625
oxygene@carrefourfamilial.com
Services for fathers
Maison Oxygène Montréal gives fathers the space and time to stabilize their situation and regain control over their lives. With the support of caseworkers, fathers establish a stay plan and find solutions tailored to their situation.
Material support
Fathers and their children are welcomed into a warm and safe collective living environment and are housed in a family room. From their arrival and throughout their stay, they benefit from support for essential needs (food assistance, hygiene products, transportation, etc.).
Individual support
Fathers benefit from personalized weekly follow-ups to support them in their life projects (returning to school or work, searching for housing, legal and administrative procedures, etc.).
Parenting support
Fathers are supported individually and collectively in developing their parenting skills and establishing healthy co-parenting. They are also supported in their custody rights procedures.
Social integration support
The intervention team works in partnership with many organizations and institutions to broaden expertise and create a social safety net around fathers that they can call upon as needed following their stay.
External follow-ups
Maison Oxygène Montréal offers external follow-ups to fathers before and after their stay, as well as to fathers who do not require housing.
Second Breath Program
Second Breath is a second-stage program that offers certain fathers and their children the opportunity to continue their stay in housing provided by the Office Municipal d’Habitation de Montréal (OMHM). Lasting one year, this program allows fathers to consolidate their progress and strengthen their independence.
Complementary activities
With a view to strengthening family ties, fathers and their children have access to a range of activities:
- cultural outings
- sports activities
- themed evenings
- outdoor trips
To promote men’s health and well-being, fathers have access to the following services:
- weekly sessions with a counseling therapist
- fitness sessions and unlimited access to the Carrefour Familial Hochelaga gym
- massage therapy sessions (in partnership with Shiatsu Montréal)
- osteopathy sessions (in partnership with the Clinique Mille Mains)
The numbers speak for themselves
rooms and 7 apartments
fathers and 67 children welcomed last year
father-child activities
The journey of Willy and his daughter Madisson
Originally from the North Shore, Willy has lived in Montreal for 2 years and moved to Maison Oxygène Montréal in September 2023. During his stay, Willy worked hard to improve his situation with one goal in mind: to regain custody of his daughter Madisson. While his journey was full of obstacles, losing custody of his daughter was the most difficult stage: “I’m not a stressed guy who deals with anxiety, but when I lost my little girl, I was helpless.” Gradually, he was able to reconnect with his child, once a week, then up to five times a week, and finally full-time. While Madisson was taking her first steps in the shelter, Willy surrounded himself with a strong community at the Family House. By volunteering for the Frigo-don, Willy built ties with Carrefour Familial Hochelaga. Today, Willy tells his story with deep emotion: he has a nice apartment in public housing… and now has full custody of his daughter!
The journey of Antonio and his son Marc-Antony
On August 30, 2022, Antonio walked through the doors of Maison Oxygène Montréal for the first time after several months away from his son Marc-Antony. Without resources or a network, he was looking for a safe place to welcome him and resume his role as a dad. A few days after his admission, he was finally able to see his child somewhere other than a park or a restaurant.
Beyond material support, he benefited from psychosocial guidance that allowed him to regain self-confidence and move toward his goal: being a better father. He also discovered the Family House, a welcoming space where he could share quality moments with his son and create new bonds. He later moved into an apartment through the Second Breath program, a new step toward stability, still supported by Maison Oxygène.
Today, he and his son are a solid team. Thanks to the support of Maison Oxygène Montréal, he was able to regain power over his life and offer his child a safe and warm environment.
Address
Carrefour Familial Hochelaga
1611, avenue d'Orléans
Montréal (Québec)
H1W 3R4
