
An initiative of the Women’s Y Foundation of Montreal, the Quai des Gares Circle is for anyone who believes building an egalitarian, non-violent and inclusive future for women and girls is necessary and possible.
The name Quai des Gares Circle is in memory of the women who, in 1875, waited at Montreal train station platforms to help young women coming from the country find somewhere to stay and find employment.
Created in 1875, YWCA Montreal is one of the city’s oldest organizations. Always staying true to its mission, the YWCA has continuously evolved its services based on new issues and needs. Around thirty programs are currently being offered, from residential services to employability services, youth services and community services.
More than a donation, this is an alliance of values.

Julie Laurence
Honorary President of the Quai des Gares Circle
« Joining the Quai des Gares Circle allows me to express my commitment to the cause of women and girls who experience issues of inequality and exclusion, but especially, it allows me to be involved in a concrete and meaningful way, to offer them a safer and more just future. I am an ally of the YWCA and its mission of building a better world. »
Why join the Quai des Gares Circle?
The issues of exclusion, inequality and violence against women and girls are still and continue to be relevant. By joining the Quai des Gares Circle, you, just like those pioneers who helped those young women on their path to a better future, show your commitment to a world that is safer and more just for women.
Because you share the values of inclusion, equality and non-violence and you also wish to act against these issues, your support of the Quai des Gares Circle is a tangible way to support, through your donations and concrete actions, the mission of YWCA Montreal : building a better future for women and girls. The programs and services offered to fulfil this mission contribute to creating concrete and long-lasting changes in the life of thousands of women. With the Quai des Gares Circle, we want to create a space where sharing ideas and values will help advance issues affecting women and provide you with the tools you need to raise the awareness of community stakeholders.
We all know that there is still much to do and we want to support you so that, together, we can become agents of change.
Every little action helps. Let’s act together!
How can you get involved as a Quai des Gares Circle ally? (optional)
As a Quai des Gares Circle ally, you have the option to get involved to bring about change in the community and your circle, or simply learn more about the current issues affecting women and girls. Your voice can make a difference. How? Here are a few ways you can initiate your commitment on a daily basis:
- Volunteer to:
- Act as a mentor to an employability program participant.
- Help participants prepare for future job interviews.
- Recognize and increase awareness of the relevance and expertise of YWCA Montreal;
- Do not hesitate to recommend the YWCA Montreal for issues related to violence, social or professional integration or other issues;
- Become an actor of social change by promoting equality and non-violence towards women in your professional and/or personal environment;
- At a place of work, implement winning conditions that allow women to develop professionally as much as their male colleagues;
- Find out more so you can overcome unconscious biases and implement certain measures in your professional environments;
- Aim for parity at the executive level and in work committees;
- Promote and encourage female entrepreneurship;
- Simply talk about equality, wherever, whenever.
As an ally, you can boost the impact of your donation. To do so, you can:
- Promote and participate in activities offered by the Circle, the Foundation, and the YWCA Montreal;
- Get involved in initiatives of the YWCA Montreal and its Foundation;
- Propose and pilot certain initiatives;
- Invite new people to participate in activities and connect with the Circle.
Questions?
Lisa Tang
Responsable du Cercle Quai des gares
514 866-9941, ext. 214
Questions?
Lisa Tang
Responsable du Cercle Quai des gares
514 866-9941, ext. 214
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