Dans la rue – Serving Homeless Youth
About
Founded by Father Emmett “Pops” Johns in 1988, Dans la rue is committed to reaching out and helping homeless and at-risk youth. With dedication, empathy and respect, and with the support of the community, we care for their immediate needs and work with them to help them acquire the skills and tools needed to lead more autonomous and rewarding lives. Our vision is to be a driving force in preventing youth homelessness.
Dans la rue relies on 100 employees and 124 volunteers to support over 1,000 vulnerable young people each year, providing them with preventive guidance to help them avoid becoming entrenched in homelessness.
Through five core services, Dans la rue offers a multifaceted approach that addresses all aspects of young people’s lives and helps them permanently escape homelessness and precariousness. These services include:
- The Van: a mobile outreach service run by volunteers, where youth can receive hot dogs, refreshments and basic necessities.
- The Bunker: A mixed-gender emergency overnight shelter for youth aged 12 to 25, providing access to basic services and support from specialized counsellors.
- The Day Centre: a safe space where youth can fulfil their basic needs. Youth can move forward through targeted programs and services that include employment programs, education, psychosocial support, art and music rooms, well-being and leisure activities, and assistance with administrative, legal and housing matters.
- Family Services: Designed for young people who become parents, this service helps them develop parenting skills and supports their journey toward autonomy.
- Housing: Affordable housing with psychosocial support to help youth stabilize and rebuild their lives.
Our Impact
Each year, Dans la rue helps more than 1,000 youth who are homeless or in precarious situations. During the 2024–2025 year, Dans la rue reported:
VAN
- 21,000 visit to the Van
- 98 volunteers on the Van
- Five nights a week, the Van makes its round through Montreal’s Centre-Sud and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhoods
- 54,080 hot dogs distributed during the year
- 1,040 a week
BUNKER
- The Bunker is open 7 days a week
- 3,400 overnight stays
- 249 youth used the Bunker during the 2024-2025 year
- 61 of whom where under 18
- Average age of underage youth: 16
DAY CENTRE
- 21,000 visits to the Day Centre
- 1,000+ volunteer hours at the Cafeteria
- 1700 new contacts with a mental health professional ( + 25 %)
- 1,240 efforts to support mental health at the Day Centre
- 145 applications for identity cards ( + 70 %)
- 430 school enquiries
FAMILY SERVICES
- 119 young parents and children supported by Family Services
HOUSING THROUGH DANS LA RUE AND IN THE COMMUNITY
- 278 landlord contacts facilitated
- 58 young people provided with housing
Youth homelessness in numbers
- 1 out of 3 teens aging out of youth protection experiences homelessness.
- 20% of Canada’s homeless population is between 13 an 24 years of age.
- 40% of unhoused youth experience their first episode of homelessness before the age of 16.
How your gift will be used
Your donation will expand the opportunities available to young people, help prevent them from becoming entrenched in homelessness, and offer them a better path forward. Your generosity will enable Dans la rue to continue providing tailored services and essential programs that empower youth in breaking the cycle of homelessness.
Legal Name
Le bon Dieu dans la rue
Charity Number
138449020 RR 0001
