From La Lumineuse to Life Beyond
Every February, Logifem proudly takes part in the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY), a national winter walk that raises awareness and funds to support community organizations working with people experiencing homelessness and vulnerability.
This year, our goal is to raise $60,000 to ensure the continuity of essential services at La Lumineuse, our shelter for mothers and their children.
This is an opportunity to highlight journeys like Yeiby’s, a former resident of La Lumineuse, whose story clearly reflects the impact of these services.
A helping hand at the right time
Yeiby learned about Logifem through a friend she met at CEGEP.
“I was very sad that day. A friend asked me what was wrong, and I told her about the problems I was experiencing where I was living.”
Her friend told her about organizations in Canada that support women. Together, they did some research, and Yeiby registered with Logifem.
“Every day, I visited the website, read all the information, and watched the photos and videos. I never imagined that one day I would be here sharing my own story.”
Arriving at La Lumineuse
When she arrived at La Lumineuse, Yeiby felt nervous and anxious about discovering a new place—her new home. She worried that reality might not match what she had imagined.
Those concerns quickly faded. After meeting the team, visiting the house, and getting to know the other residents, she realized that things were going much better than expected.
Living in community
At La Lumineuse, Yeiby discovered life in community and holds many positive memories from her time at Logifem. She particularly appreciated the creative and hands-on activities organized by volunteers, which helped her relax and disconnect from daily stress. She also enjoyed activities that encouraged connection between residents and the sharing of cultures, music, and food.
She especially remembers the shared meals:
“I loved cooking for the others and introducing them to the flavours of my country.”
Above all, she speaks about the relationships she built:
“The most beautiful thing for me was forming friendships with wonderful women, with hearts full of love and a strong desire to move forward.”
Safe, structured support to overcome challenges
Throughout her stay, Yeiby felt supported by the Logifem team and volunteers.
“When I talk to them, I feel safe, comfortable, and fully confident expressing myself without fear of being judged.”
With their support, she learned to organize her thoughts, set goals, and move forward step by step.
“They motivate me, encourage me, and prepare me for the day when I will live on my own.”
Finding a job and housing were among the main challenges she faced. With Logifem’s guidance, clear goals were set, strategies were developed, and consistent follow-up led to concrete results.
Life beyond the shelter
Today, Yeiby lives in an apartment with her daughter and describes herself as an independent woman. She continues to apply what she learned at Logifem and still uses the tools shared by the team to support her day-to-day life.
Even though she sometimes misses aspects of shelter life—activities, shared meals, and moments of connection—she continues to move forward with confidence.
Since leaving La Lumineuse, Yeiby has been working full-time. The long commute between home and work made daily life challenging. When her employers learned about her situation, they gifted her a car, which greatly improved her daily routine.
Yeiby remains in contact with Andrea, her caseworker, who continues to help her access resources in her neighbourhood. She also expresses deep gratitude to Jessica, Clinical Coordinator at La Lumineuse, who encouraged her to stay until the end of the school year:
“I would also like to say how deeply grateful I am to Logifem. With God’s help first, and without the support of Adela, Jessica, and the entire Logifem team, I would not have reached my goals. The support I received was essential to my journey, and I will always be thankful.”
For Yeiby, one thing is certain: “Logifem changed my life.”
What’s next?
Like Yeiby, 57 women and 83 children have found refuge at La Lumineuse since it opened in 2021. These services are essential to providing safety, support, and practical tools to women and children going through a difficult time.
On Saturday, February 28, 2025, as part of the Coldest Night of the Year, Logifem aims to raise $60,000 to sustain the services offered at La Lumineuse.
To participate or learn more:
https://logifem.org/cnoy/