About Maison Elizabeth House

Maison Elizabeth House is a Montreal rehabilitation and support centre providing services to families with children ages 0–5, with a primary focus on young mothers and young mothers-to-be experiencing significant challenges related to pregnancy and parenting. Its therapeutic and educational model emphasizes building on individual strengths to improve parenting, life, and coping skills.

Community Context

Young OLMC mothers at MEH face intersecting barriers to education and employment, including histories of trauma, social isolation, financial hardship, and unstable housing.

Many lack knowledge of realistic career options, with some not having completed high school, resulting in limited literacy and numeracy. Even those with prior education tend to lack resume writing, interviewing, communication, and time-management skills.

Language challenges and lack of familiarity with government programs further narrow their opportunities, contributing to prolonged stretches of unemployment or underemployment.

COF-Supported Project

Now, MEH is using support from the Community Opportunity Fund to create the Build Your Future Career Program.

Delivered in partnership with O3 and Women on the Rise, this initiative offers a series of interactive employment-readiness workshops tailored to young mothers. Activities include:

• Career exploration with industry professionals
• Resume building
• Mock interviews
• Job-board navigation
• Q&A panels and guest speakers
• Career Dress-Up Day
• Career Mind Mapping

Meanwhile, gamified challenges and experiential learning opportunities, including job shadowing, volunteering, and an entrepreneur showcase, help clients become more engaged with the employment ecosystem.

Website: Maison Elizabeth House