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Mission, Vision, & more

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Women, Our Raison D’Être

Mission
Founded in 2014, Femmes en Emploi is the only organization in Laval which mainly aims at Afro-Canadian women. Its mission is to promote social, cultural, and professional integration of women and girls with immigrant or vulnerable backgrounds. That, to involve them in a way to strengthen their empowerment and their successful integration to the labour market and Quebec society.
Vision
Through its participative approach and commitment to social cooperation between communities, Femmes en Emploi’s vision is to be a reference in terms of services, women empowerment, and intercultural communication between natives and newcomers.
Values
Our values are based on collaboration, commitment, integrity, adaptability and humanity, mutual assistance, and solidarity between native and immigrant women, among others. As a result, our targeted communities and our associative, technical, and financial partners have known us as a professional, dynamic and reliable team.

History

At the beginning of 2014, female social workers coming from culturally diverse backgrounds, but mainly from Haiti, who were all working in community organizations with immigrant women in Quebec, decided to take more positive actions. The great work they accomplished in those organizations would only benefit women who could settle in Canada. A Haitian researcher suggested that a lot of work had to be done in Haiti's labour market integration.
This incentive urged Dorcas Destinoble to organize meetings with Marie-Gisèle Emmanuelle Jean, a long-time friend and office automation technician at the Service d’aide aux Néo-Canadiens in Sherbrooke; Françoise Montlouis, a colleague and employment counsellor; and Anite Marseille, a friend, social worker and master’s student in social work at UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal). In those meetings, they discussed their experiences and thought about exporting their knowledge to their countries to benefit more people. They concluded that creating an association that would represent the interests of Haitian and African women was critical.
On June 15, 2014, in Laval, the four women founded the “Femmes en Emploi” association. As a Laval-based association and after numerous meetings, exchange activities and debates with women living there, the association understood there was a need for targeted actions to help women better understand the services and available resources and the values of the Laval community. That led to a change of vocation
On April 21, 2015, Femmes en Emploi changed its legal status. It became a Non-For-Profit Corporation (NPC) to support women in their labour integration procedures, create a framework for closer intercultural ties, and build a communication bridge for mutual understanding between Laval residents and immigrant women, thus crashing fears and prejudice.
However, the initial goal – representing the interests of Haitian and African women by exporting the founders’ knowledge and skills to benefit the former– is not forgotten.
Today, six years later, exceptional women from here and around the world continue working together for a better future.

A Shared Dream

A Teamwork

Together, We Contribute To Our Community’s Well-Being!

Besides our partners’ (Government of Quebec, MIFI, Service Canada, the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation, City of Laval, the Canadian Red Cross, Groupe 3737 and the Black Youth Socio-Economic Summit), we acknowledge the valuable help of:
Through their support and participation in our various events and activities, they contribute to the fulfillment of our mission.
Nos témoignages

Ce qu’elles disent sur Femmes en Emploi

“Thank you for your humanitarian mission. You will never imagine how much this help benefited me. Can’t wait to see the end of COVID-19!”
Lydia, mother of 3 young children “
Lydia, mother of 3 young children
“Thank you for thinking about our disabled children and us. Thank you to Femmes en Emploi and the Red cross. Please keep up the good work during the pandemic.”
Syrian single mothers “
Syrian single mothers
“With these few words, I’d like to thank you for your solidarity and support. I wish you a very happy holiday season. Many thanks. “
Waoussilla “
Waoussilla
“Thank you to the whole team of Femmes en Emploi for everything you’ve shared. You are extraordinary strong women. Thank you for your gift cards; they made a big difference.”
Nydine “
Nydine
“I will never thank you enough for this noble project. Thank you so much to the Red Cross and Femmes en Emploi for your support during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Khetam “
Khetam
“I’d like to tell the Canadian Red Cross how much I value your generous gesture. Thanks to your valuable donations, my family and I were able to support ourselves without any worry.”
Cathia “
Cathia

Concrete Results & Goals That Aim High

A few figures in 2020–2021:

65
Families helped
26
Exchange activities
17
Dialogue meetings
890
Cumulative presences
Femmes en Emploi's Team

These Are The Women Who Are Involved In Our Organization

Marie-Gisèle

Co-Founder
Marie-Gisèle Emmanuelle Jean   Coming from the Caribbean with an authentically Haitian cultural, intellectual and emotional background, Gisèle extended and enhanced it with Quebec’s experience and culture through an intense

Mélissa

Ambassador
Mélissa Faustin Mélissa is a resilient woman who can live, succeed, and fulfil herself despite adversity. Mélissa Faustin sees music as a significant weapon that develops the spirit, the brain.

Florence

Administrator
Florence Bizindavyi She enjoys an undeniable reputation as a member involved in the community. Due to her proven track record in efficiency, loyalty and professionalism in the community, Femmes en

Fatima

Administrator
Fatima Ghobrini Fatima has more than 20 years of experience in general administration and finance and has various program evaluation skills. Recognized as responsible, conscientious, and very dynamic, she serves

Elcie

Administrator
Elcie Dagrain With more than 30 years of secretarial experience, Elcie currently serves as Administrative Assistant/Coordinator in the Quebec public service. She always cares about the well-being of people around

Derlie

Treasurer
Derlie D. Vilmay Derlie has more than 25 years of experience as a nursing worker, and she has been passionate about this field from a very young age. Thanks to

Marjorie

President
Marjorie Rosiclair She’s a specialized educator and personal development coach with more than 30 years of experience.  As well as workshop facilitator and lecturer, Marjorie is a great listener, capable

Danielle

Support Member
Danielle D. Vilney With a bachelor’s degree in humanities (Bachelor of Arts), psychosocial and educational intervention profile from the UQAM, she worked there at the Students with Disabilities Integration Service.

Talar

Support Member
Talar Malkhassian With several years of experience in customer service, Talar, our office clerk, answers your questions respectfully and dynamically. She also participates in consultation tables on which Femmes en

Françoise

Employment Counsellor & Co-Founder
Françoise Montlouis Coming from guinea and having lived in Europe for a long time, Françoise, once in Quebec, worked with women in the community. Through her work, several cohorts of

Sandra

Employment Counselor
Sandra Amazan Sandra holds a bachelor’s degree in Career Development and a certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and acts as a community employment counsellor. She has guided several cohorts

Anite

Social Worker & Co-Founder
Anite Martin Anite has always wanted to understand the human being and to contribute to the society she lives in. She chose to study social sciences and humanities, completing a

Mirlaine

Activity Coordinator
Mirlaine Dorcé-Breton In 2015, the mission, vision and values of Femmes en Emploi resonated in Mirlaine, and she became a member without any hesitation. A pillar of Femmes en Emploi, Mirlaine

Rabia

Mobilization Officer
Rabia Ghobrini Very active on social media, this Algerian-born action woman has never stopped reinventing herself. Having played different roles with Femmes en Emploi since 2016, Rabia now works as

Smarilda

Secretary
Smarilda Guervil Smarilda is a dynamic, invested woman and numbers lover. She was the first to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors when the organization was founded. Now

Dorcas

Executive Director & Co-Founder
Dorcas Destinoble After a devastating earthquake, she landed in Quebec as a Haitian immigrant and quickly became a proud next-generation woman by co-founding Femmes en Emploi in Laval in 2014.

Esther

Vice-President
Esther Legagneur Esther is very involved in the community as a specialized educator and public health worker. She is Vice-President of Femmes en Emploi’s Board. Born of immigrant parents of