Our Organization
Our Mission
Supporting immigrant women in improving their living conditions and facilitating their integration into Quebec.
Our History
Afrique au Féminin is a non-profit organization founded in 1986 and incorporated in 1988 by a group of professional women of African origin who were concerned with the difficulties of social and economic integration of women in their communities in their host society.
After two years of meeting in the Afrika Centre, the city granted them space in the Parc-Extension district in 1990. Although initially dedicated to immigrant women of African descent, Afrique au Féminin, in light of the ethnic diversity of the neighborhood, broadened its scope of intervention and became a meeting place for all women of various origins and their families. Thus, although its services are specifically geared towards women immigrants, the Centre is open to all women, regardless of age, language, color and religion.
Who are we?
Afrique au Féminin is the only women’s centre in Parc-Extension, one of the most culturally diverse neighbourhoods in Canada where over 40 languages are spoken. Parc-Extension also suffers from high levels of poverty and population density. The Centre is a place of meeting, belonging, socialization, mutual aid, solidarity, mentorship, and action for all women, and particularly those from visible minorities who are experiencing financial and social barriers to integration in Quebec society and/or social isolation. Afrique au Féminin is run by and for immigrant women, with a dynamic and committed team of workers, volunteers and collaborators who are trained to refer women to resources and services suited to their needs. We work together so that every woman who comes to the Centre can find personalized support while participating in a movement, a collective vision of equality, justice and respect!
Our Goals
- Welcome, inform and refer women to appropriate resources as needed;
- Ensure active listening to women;
- Break the isolation of immigrant women and foster their integration into the host society;
- Provide a meeting place and exchange for women to enhance their self-esteem;
- Fight against exclusion, poverty and all forms of violence against women and their children;
- Defend and promote the rights and interests of women;
- Give women tools to regain power over their lives and facilitate their social and economic integration.
Our Values
Our values direct us in our work to create a place where every women can flourish and express herself regardless her age, language, race, country of origin or religion.
Democracy
Include the ideas and opinions of the members of the centre in the decision-making process.
Popular Education
Showcase and share skills, knowledge and experiences between women, and create intercultural dialogue.
Feminism
Support immigrant women in improving their living conditions and facilitate their integration in Quebec, and fight for gender equality.
Mutual Support
Foster support, sharing, mentorship with women of all backgrounds.
Listening
With an attentive ear, listen to each woman, and make sure to understand what she has to say.
Accompaniment
Accompany women in their search for solutions to the difficulties they face.
Reference
Maximize the expertise and services available in Parc-Extension by refering women to the appropriate community resource.
Trust and Privacy
Devlop trusting relationships between all users of the Centre. Everything that is said here stays here.
Autonomy
Foster women’s social and financial autonomy through programming and services.
Respect
Making sure every voice is heard, and fostering respect in all relationships.
Communication
Promote open and honest communication to increase the effectiveness of our actions.
Team Spirit and Positive Attitude
Open our hearts and our doors to all women. Put ourselves in each other’s shoes to better understand each situation to offer personalized support.