The name of the organization, Tel-Aide, appeared during a discussion among the founding members. The combination of the two words – Tel, the abbreviation for telephone in French and English, and Aide – help spread the mission of the new organization: to offer help to callers through empathetic, genuine and respectful listening.
1971
Foundation of Tel-Aide Montreal. On January 30, 1971, Tel-Aide received its first calls in a listening room set up at the Atwater Library. From the beginning, Tel-Aide’s mission has been to ensure continuous service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in both French and English.
1960′
The late 1960s were marked by strong divisions within Montreal’s community. Anglophones and Francophones, people of various religious affiliations and secular backgrounds, joined forces to establish a support service for those in distress. Many individuals were recruited to raise public awareness about Tel-Aide and to attract volunteer listeners.
1996
Janette Bertrand became the spokesperson for Tel-Aide Montreal.
2020
New technologies were adopted to enhance service accessibility. Remote listening began.
2022
Julie Bélanger became the spokesperson, launching Tel-Aide Montréal’s 50th-anniversary celebrations during an event held on June 4, 2022.
2023
Launch of the “Restoring the Voice of Seniors” project and development of a partnership with the University of Montreal to welcome interns.
Aujourd’hui
We continue our mission with a dedicated team of volunteers and employees.
Listening with true understanding and genuine empathy is one of the most powerful forces for change that I know.
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Call 514-935-1101
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