When you are living on the street it is hard enough to take care of yourself, much less a baby. With a minimal budget and, often, without having already dealt with their own issues, raising a child in extremely precarious conditions is more than anyone should have to deal with. Through its Family Services program, Dans la rue provides support to young parents to help them provide a safe and healthy upbringing for their infants.

The Family Services team is committed to:

• Encouraging young parents to deal with the issues facing them
• Preventing parental negligence and family violence
• Fostering solid parenting skills
• Eliminating social isolation
• Developing self-sufficiency
• Helping young parents develop a strong support network and, when possible, turn to their family for assistance
• Encouraging familiarity with and tendency to use available local services and community resources

Family Services include the following:

• Home visits
• Meetings at the Chez Pops Day Centre
• Individual counselling
• Coaching and guidance
• Education on a variety of topics (pregnancy, child development, nutrition, household budgeting, etc.)
• Referrals, mediation and respite care
• Family activities and get-togethers