30 years of recovery
What if asking for help didn’t mean being separated from your child?
For 30 years, Portage’s Mother & Child Centre has welcomed pregnant women and mothers with young children aged 0 to 5 who are struggling with addiction. The only program of its kind in Quebec, this residential program allows mothers to begin their recovery journey while remaining with their child.
Since the Centre first opened its doors in 1996, it has been guided by a strong belief: no mother should have to choose between getting the help she needs and staying with her child.
Thirty years later, that belief remains at the heart of the program.
Behind these 30 years are hundreds of individual journeys
Beyond the services and the program itself, this anniversary is first and foremost about the women who have walked through the Centre’s doors over the past three decades.
To mark the 30th anniversary, former participants agreed to share part of their stories. They speak about their recovery, but also about everything they rebuilt along the way: their confidence, their role as mothers, the tools they still rely on today, and the connections they formed with a community they can continue to count on.
As Nancy R. puts it:
“Coming back here always reminds me of where I came from.”
Taking care of yourself while still being a mother
Addiction, the demands of parenting, and the fear of being separated from one’s child can make asking for help especially difficult. Shame and fear of judgment are also very real. In Portage’s 2026 brief, S’unir pour mieux soutenir, one resident described it this way:
“So many women feel ashamed of using substances and being mothers… We need to show them that they won’t be judged.”
The Mother & Child Centre provides support tailored to this reality. The program addresses both addiction treatment and the development of parenting skills in a safe and supportive environment that helps preserve the bond between mother and child. In doing so, it helps prevent placements in youth protection and creates more stable conditions for mothers, children and families.
Located directly within the Mother & Child Centre, La Ribambelle Daycare allows mothers to fully participate in their treatment while keeping their child close by. Each child benefits from an environment adapted to their needs and an individualized intervention plan that supports their development while helping their mother move forward in her recovery and in her role as a parent.
A story built together
When the Mother & Child Centre opened its doors in 1996, its innovative vision was made possible through the founding support of the Chagnon family and the backing of Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services. Over the years, Portage teams, partners, donors and volunteers have all helped this mission grow.
Thirty years later, much has been accomplished, but the Centre’s mission remains just as essential. The stigma surrounding addiction among mothers and a lack of awareness of specialized resources can still prevent women from seeking help. Recommendations put forward by Portage in its brief submitted as part of the Quebec government’s consultation underscore the importance of continuing to raise awareness of these services and providing women with support that reflects their realities.
Celebrating the Mother & Child Centre’s 30th anniversary means recognizing how far the program has come, but above all, recognizing the journeys of all the women who chose to ask for help and rebuild their lives alongside their children.
For 30 years, the Mother & Child Centre has been there to help them do it together.
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