The Open Door : The Right to the City

The Intervention Worker : John Tessier from Colleen Leonard on Vimeo.

Last year I participated in 'The Right to the City' initiative with Dr. Kathleen Vaughan in the Art Education Master's program at Concordia University.  During my semester I volunteered at The Open Door and met John Tessier, who was at that time the only intervention worker there.  John shared his story with me and together we created this Oral History.  He told me about The Open Door, the community and about his hopes and fears for the future. Now, a year later, The Open Door just moved to a new, and renovated location in Montreal.  You can find more information here if you'd like to donate your time, warm winter clothes or your dollars.
http://www.opendoortoday.org/

From the archives: December, 2017
​The Open Door is Montreal’s only wet shelter. Here, you will not be turned away even if you are drunk or high. Since 1988, it has been providing hot meals, vital services and a place to sleep during the day to Montreal’s most vulnerable. 
St. Stephen’s Anglican church, has been sold, and The Open Door must find a new home by December 31st, 2017.  
Please consider making a donation in-person or online at: canadahelps.org/en/dn/31024
Please designate your donation for: "Intervention Worker"

L’Intervenant: John Tessier
La Porte Ouverte, ayant élu domicile à l’église anglicane Saint-Stephen, est le seul centre pour sans-abri à Montréal qui accueille les personnes intoxiquées. Depuis 1988, il offre des repas chauds, des services essentiels et un endroit où dormir pendant la journée aux personnes les plus vulnérables de Montréal. L'église anglicane ayant été vendue, La Porte Ouverte doit trouver un nouveau toit d'ici le 31 décembre 2017.
Nous vous encourageons à faire un don en personne ou en ligne à: canadahelps.org/en/dn/31024
Merci d’indiquer que votre don est dédié à "Intervention Worker".

The Open Door:La Porte Ouverte from Colleen Leonard on Vimeo.