Peer Helper
When former street people reach out to help others
The peer helpers are young, former street-people who, after receiving training, help other young street-people in the downtown area. To reach them, they have several tools at their disposal including information, support, preventive work, active listening, accompanying, providing references as well as the distribution of condoms and syringes. They mostly deal with users of injection drugs, sex trade workers or those who are experiencing serious difficulties.
The project was initiated in 1994 at the CLSC des Faubourgs’ Youth clinic. The peer helpers receive a training structure according to precise goals and they are integrated within existing partner organizations (Dollard-Cormier, Cactus Montréal, Dans la rue, CLSC des Faubourgs, Stella, l'Anonyme). Furthermore, they team-up with a caregiver in order to allow them to reach for their peers.
The peer helper’s actions are complementary with those of other caregivers and their work is highly appreciated by the various organizations. They are, for instance, in a much better position to address the youth in their own milieu, acting either on an individual basis, by listening, supporting and coaching, or collectively by the organization of special events (Festival d'Expression de la rue, Prevention Show de VIH, VHC, ITSS, etc.).
