With Spring upon us in Montreal, one word keeps coming to mind: flourish. We know what it takes for a flower to bloom and flourish in spring — enough sunlight, water, and stability. We’re not so different! Nor are the people who walk through our doors. We all require safe, stable places in which to plant ourselves, regular access to nutritious food, and opportunities to grow.  That’s exactly what your support is doing day in, day out for fellow Montrealers: providing the foundational elements that people need to flourish and thrive.  As you’ll read in the following pages, that means: Dental services for children who struggle to access care Pediatric care for children struggling with learning challenges and developmental delays Hot, nutritious meals served daily—at our new commercial-grade kitchen! And so much more… Beyond the practical, however, is the heartfelt. Every smile and warm ‘hello’ shared with the people who take part in our services plants a seed of hope in their lives. Because they know someone wants to see them flourish and help them thrive.  This kind and generous spirit is what makes our community, full of caring people like you, so unique. Together, we can accomplish a great many things. Together, we already are.  With my deepest gratitude,

Samuel Watts

CEO/Executive Director

Volunteer Story

What keeps you coming back after all these years? When I first started, I was going through a difficult time. I felt myself two or three decisions away from being on the other side of the counter. But I get energy from volunteering here. Sure, sometimes it's hard to get up at five o'clock in the morning, but by the time I've finished my shift, I've forgotten about how tired I am. I'm off to work and I feel good about the day! 

“I felt myself two or three decisions away from being on the other side of the counter. But I get energy from volunteering here.”

What has surprised you about volunteering? People may have ideas about the type of person who comes through these doors. But it’s such a mix of people—there are young people and older people, newly arrived immigrants and people who have fallen on hard times. There are people my age who don't look too dissimilar to me, in terms of their clothing and how they carry themselves. It makes me think, “This could be me.”  What would you say to someone considering becoming a volunteer? Any help changes things. You don't have to commit to volunteering for years, like me, to get involved. Any help that we can get is worthwhile. So, don't put too much pressure on yourselves to make it perfect. Just come along! VOLUNTEER WITH US: Join the Heart of Welcome Hall Mission! Your time and talents can impact thousands of lives in Montreal. Just a few hours a week or month can make a meaningful difference. Why Volunteer? ❤️ Connect with your community and make new friends ❤️ See the direct impact of your generosity ❤️ Learn new skills (including French!) Contact benevole@missionba.com or visit welcomehallmission.com/volunteering to find an opportunity that matches your interests and availability.

An interview with Dr. Paul Sweet, Clinic Director

For many Montrealers struggling with poverty or homelessness, seeing a dentist is nearly impossible. In order to bridge this gap, Welcome Hall Mission has partnered with McGill University to provide free dental care at the Jim Lund Dental Clinic. Every week, your support enables our team to bring quality dental care to people who need it. One of the kind-hearted team members leading the way is Clinic Director, Dr. Paul Sweet, who has worked at our clinic since 2010.  Q: How did you get into dentistry? A: I pursued my dental degree at McGill’s Faculty of Dentistry, now called the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences. Afterwards, I did my residency at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health at the University of Rochester.  Q: How does your work at Jim Lund differ from the other clinic(s) you work at? A: There’s significant socioeconomic differences between the patients I treat at the Jim Lund Dental Clinic and those I treat at private practices. The patients I see at the clinic tend to have more advanced oral health problems—such as cavities, infections, and gum disease. Often they have less knowledge or awareness of oral health or they come from countries with different philosophies toward oral health and dental care. Q: What is your favorite part of your job? A: I enjoy making a meaningful impact in patients’ lives by improving their oral health—whether it’s repairing teeth, treating infections, or improving their smile and self-confidence. The patients are so grateful for the care they receive, which I find very rewarding. 

“I enjoy making a meaningful impact in patients’ lives by improving their oral health. ”

Q: What would you say to our wonderful supporters who help make the clinic possible?  A: Without the clinic, most of our patients would likely choose to forgo dental care entirely.That’s what many of them did before the clinic was established because they simply couldn’t afford care.  The people that we care for are low-income and have no dental coverage to speak of—most, if not all, are ineligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. The existence of our clinic removes that financial barrier and allows them to access the care they need. 

“Without the clinic, most of our patients would likely choose to forgo dental care entirely.”

Simply put, without your support, many of our neighbours right here in Montreal would not be able to go to the dentist. They’d lack the confidence to smile and live in constant discomfort or pain. Everyone deserves the dignity of dental care — your generosity makes it possible for them to get it. Thank you! 

You made sure that didn’t happen

When Amara and her family arrived in Montreal, she was eight years old, wide-eyed, and excited to start a new life in such a big, colourful city.  But almost immediately, she realized that something wasn’t working.  At school, the letters on her worksheets would get mixed up. Words on the pages of books would jumble together. She was doing her very best to learn French and catch up with her classmates, but she was at a serious disadvantage.  Her mother could see that her daughter was working hard — they’d practice French at home together. But she also knew that something deeper was holding her back. She knew her daughter needed extra support, but she had no idea where to get it. The Quebec healthcare system was totally new to her. And going through the school to get an appointment with a specialist? Months of waiting. Sometimes more than a year.  Her heart seized up. If Amara had to wait more than a year to get help, she’d fall way behind her classmates — maybe so far behind that it would be impossible for her to catch up.  All she wanted was for her daughter to thrive in her new home.  That’s where you came in.  Thanks to your generosity, Amara was able to get an appointment with a pediatrician at Welcome Hall. This pediatrician listens. She assesses. And she refers families to the care they need.  Because of your support, Amara now has a diagnosis and a support plan. She’s not going to fall through the cracks. She’s going to catch up to her classmates and she’s going to succeed in school — and in Quebec. We can’t stress enough how important this program is to the families in our care. When we last checked, over 200 children from our Marché program alone have a dire need for pediatric care.  Your generosity is making it possible for them to get it. But more than that, your generosity is making it possible for them to succeed and thrive here in Montreal — just like Amara.   

Thanks to you, Amara now has a diagnosis and a support plan. She’s going to succeed in school — and in Quebec!

How your generous support is taking our meal program to new heights!

It was a day to remember, a dream come true—the opening of our brand-new commercial kitchen on Dagenais Street.  Completed in late 2025, this newly constructed kitchen facility is so much more than a building: it’s a place where people experiencing homelessness and families struggling to put food on the table can be nourished—physically and emotionally.  And thanks to your generosity, we can welcome and serve more of them than ever before.  700% more! Our increased capacity means we can eventually serve up to 10,000 meals a day! That’s 10,000 rumbling stomachs filled every day, because of caring friends and neighbours like you.  But that’s not all:  Our hope is to eventually use this space to train at-risk youth in the culinary arts. Under Chef Gabriel’s mentorship, they’ll learn critical skills that will help them enter the workforce and move toward a bright, independent future.  They’ll help create nutritious ready-to-serve dishes, sauces and more that will be put on offer at our Marché for Montreal families in need.  One building — unlimited opportunity.  It wouldn’t have happened without the support of people like you. People who believe that everyone deserves a warm meal and the opportunity to rebuild their life in a meaningful, long-lasting way. Thank you for dreaming with us and for being brave enough to help us bring this dream to life!

Rising costs are a heavy burden for vulnerable Montrealers

Can you be a lifeline for someone struggling to get by? We've all felt the pinch on our budgets this last year as the costs of housing, food, and utilities have risen significantly. For those struggling to get by, a higher cost of living has delivered a devastating blow. Think of the family who became homeless because they can no longer afford rent…the elderly woman who can no longer afford groceries on her meagre pension…and the single parent who can't seek treatment for a tooth infection because it's too expensive. As many of life's basics become luxuries, more and more Montrealers are turning to Welcome Hall Mission for help with food, shelter, medical care and more.

Can you help us do it again today?

They can't make it without us, and we can't make it without you.

If now is a good time, will you consider making a gift to keep these essential programs available for our neighbours in need? Their safety nets have long been used up. They're digging down deep and harnessing their courage to walk through our doors to ask for help. Your love and care can meet them when they arrive. If you're willing and able to give, please visit welcomehallmission.com/donate today. You can also use the enclosed reply coupon and mail it back to us if you prefer. Thank you!