Contribution: 2023-2024
$100,000
Funding strategy
Montreal
The McConnell Foundation provided funding to Afrique au Féminin to support upgrades and renovations to their new building, which will enable the organization to expand its services and meet the growing needs of the community.
Montreal’s Parc-Extension neighbourhood is one of Canada’s most culturally diverse areas. It is here that Afrique au Féminin has been working for nearly 40 years, supporting immigrant women to integrate into Quebec society and improving their living conditions. Initially focused on the African community, the organization has today broadened its scope to welcome all women, from Asia, Latin America, Africa, Europe and Canada. They come together to build bonds and create a space of belonging.
In 2023, Afrique au Féminin launched a capital campaign to modernize its building, beginning with the renovation of its drop-in daycare centre to improve its facilities and to better adapt the space for a range of ages. With this renewed building, Afrique au Féminin hopes to better serve its diverse clientele and meet evolving community needs.
“We support newcomers in their integration process by providing adapted services such as drop-in childcare, learning French language and culture, as well as social and cultural outings,” explains Rose Ngo Ndjel, Director.
The organization also responds to the specific issues faced by asylum seekers by offering childcare and food assistance services, with a prioritization on vulnerable families. “The aim is to break their isolation,” stresses Ngo Ndjel. Often inaccessible to asylum seekers, childcare services are an essential form of support so women can pursue an academic path or their professional careers. The needs are great: the organization’s childcare centre can currently accommodate 18 children and has a waiting list of 24.
The organization is currently two-thirds of its way to its target and momentum is building to make the vision of an inclusive and vibrant community centre a reality.
Thank you to Afrique au Féminin for the images used on this page and others throughout this report.