La Fondation de la Visite winner of the 2007 Prix Marie-Vincent
Montréal, November 1st, 2007 – The 11th Prix Marie-Vincent was awarded to the Fondation de la Visite October 30 during the Sainte-Justine hospital's 3rd colloquium on maltreatment toward children.
Founded in 1988, the Fondation de la Visite, whose main office is located in Montréal-Nord, has been working with young families for 20 years to further healthy relationships between parents and children. Already known for its efforts with mothers in the mères-visiteuses (visiting mothers) program, the organization accompanies families experiencing precarious or isolated situations. Its work extends through six districts of the Montreal region: Bordeaux–Cartierville, Côte St-Luc–Hampstead, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Lachine– Dorval, Montréal-Nord and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
Presented for the first time in 1997, the excellence award consists of a cash amount of $7,500 plus a work by artist Bernard Séguin-Poirier, which were presented to Fondation de la Visite executive director, Ms. Denise Landry.
The Fondation de la Visite received the Marie-Vincent award for its pères-visiteurs (visiting fathers) program created in 2003. Members of the jury, chaired by Québec Bar President Mr. J. Michel Doyon, wished to reward the program's originality and pertinence. In highlighting the importance of the father’s parental roll in the family, this "father-to-father tandem" effectively participates toward preventing maltreatment and violence against children. This year, almost 40 fathers benefited from the support of visiting fathers from the Fondation de la Visite. "The Marie-Vincent Foundation's recognition contributes a helpful boost and facilitates our work," said Ms. Landry in appreciation.
Marie-Vincent Foundation
Created in 1975, the Foundation's mission is to gather funds to help child victims under 12, and more especially victims of sexual abuse. It helps by supporting other community organizations working in the same field throughout Québec and by supporting the Marie-Vincent Centre d’expertise en agression sexuelle. For the past nine years, the Foundation has also conducted a vast awareness campaign throughout Québec.
