Main dans la main
Main dans la main: Lending a hand to children living in vulnerable circumstances
Anne Rouleau, president of the administration and family doctor at Main dans la main, is pictured with volunteers in Cowansville. Photo courtesy of Main dans la main.
By Taylor McClure
Townships’ Daily News Bits
CIDI 99.1 FM
Main dans la main, a social paediatric centre for the Brome-Missisquoi community, held its annual “La Guignolée du Dr. Julien” fundraiser over the weekend raising close to $48,000.
Around 156 volunteers hit the streets on Dec. 10 for the organization’s big collection day in seven different municipalities. All funds raised support the services that Main dans la main provides to children between 0 and 18 years old living in vulnerable circumstances in the region.
Those that missed the opportunity over the weekend can continue supporting the cause online up until Jan. 15.
“Main dans la main is a social community paediatrics centre for the health of all the children of Brome-Missisquoi. It was an approach developed by Dr. Julien in Montreal. We are are certified by the Dr. Julien Foundation,” said Élisabeth Lapointe, executive director of Main dans la main.
Main dans la main accompanies, supports, and offers a living environment to the children that are in situations of vulnerability, added Lapointe.
“We work with two doctors here and four social workers to ensure fulfillment and optimal development of those children in great vulnerability, while respecting their rights,” explained Lapointe.
Main dans la main coordinates various services and activities for children to fulfill its mission.
“We offer medical care, we also offer psycho-social support, and a living environment with therapeutic, educational, and social activities. We have a lot of volunteers that work with us to help with homework and outdoors activities. (…) We also have art therapy and zoo therapy,” highlighted Lapointe.
These services are provided to both the English-speaking and French-speaking communities of Brome-Missisquoi. According to Lapointe, English speakers make up a third of the children that go to Mains dans la main.
She also mentioned that Mains dans la main has more demand since the start of the pandemic and that she’s seen the difference it has made in the lives of the children they work with.
“With the inflation and the pandemic, times are hard. (…) We actually see right now 325 children, so we see the difference that we make in the community. Also, we see a difference in the children that come here, the family, and the parents,” she said.
Main dans la main depends on the generosity of the local community. The social paediatric centre holds its “La Guignolée du Dr. Julien” fundraiser every year. This year’s event is proving to be a success raising nearly $48,000.
Volunteers rallied together across seven different towns, Cowansville, Dunham, Bromont, Sutton, Knowlton, Farnham, and Bedford, and 17 different collection points.
“We were very lucky it was a nice day. In Knowlton, it was nearly $3,000 that was raised on that day. We had more or less $7,000 than last year, so we are very happy about that. It was the first time this year that Main dans la main offered the possibility of making a donation with a credit or debit card on the street, which really contributed to the success of this edition we think,” noted Lapointe.
Heading into 2023, Lapointe emphasized that she hopes Mains dans la main will continue to welcome more children.
“As I was saying before, the needs are increasing. We conducted more than 430 meetings last year with the children and their families. (…) We just hope that we can continue to welcome as many children,” she said.
For more information on Mains dans la main and to contribute to the “La Guignolée du Dr. Julien.”
Listen to the full interview below: