December 6, 2020, The Brandon Sun
Jacob Serebrin: 'From tents to converted 4-star hotel, pandemic prompts changes for Montreal homeless'
"Alexandre was sorting cans one recent morning outside a tent pitched next to a busy Montreal road by the Port of Montreal.
Until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he had been sleeping at a homeless shelter, but when health measures forced the shelter to cut its capacity, he was forced onto the street. For the past three months, Alexandre, who refused to give his last name, has called this informal encampment east of downtown Montreal home..." (Read the full story here.)
Jacob Serebrin: 'From tents to converted 4-star hotel, pandemic prompts changes for Montreal homeless'
"Alexandre was sorting cans one recent morning outside a tent pitched next to a busy Montreal road by the Port of Montreal.
Until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he had been sleeping at a homeless shelter, but when health measures forced the shelter to cut its capacity, he was forced onto the street. For the past three months, Alexandre, who refused to give his last name, has called this informal encampment east of downtown Montreal home..." (Read the full story here.)
December 4, 2020, CTV News
Sam Watts: 'What if COVID-19 was an opportunity to fix long-standing complex social challenges?'
"The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the awareness of the fragility of our social safety net and put a spotlight on a number of complex social problems. Hunger, poverty and homelessness are on the rise. With the current uncertainties in many economic sectors that are likely to continue well beyond 2021..." (Read the full story here.)
Sam Watts: 'What if COVID-19 was an opportunity to fix long-standing complex social challenges?'
"The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the awareness of the fragility of our social safety net and put a spotlight on a number of complex social problems. Hunger, poverty and homelessness are on the rise. With the current uncertainties in many economic sectors that are likely to continue well beyond 2021..." (Read the full story here.)
December 4, 2020, La Presse
Sam Watts: 'Et si la pandémie devenait une occasion de se réinventer?'
"La pandémie de COVID-19 nous a tous fait prendre conscience de la fragilité de notre filet de sécurité sociale et a mis en lumière un certain nombre de problèmes sociaux complexes. La faim, la pauvreté et l’itinérance sont en augmentation. Qui plus est, les incertitudes dans de nombreux secteurs économiques..." (Read the full story here.)
Sam Watts: 'Et si la pandémie devenait une occasion de se réinventer?'
"La pandémie de COVID-19 nous a tous fait prendre conscience de la fragilité de notre filet de sécurité sociale et a mis en lumière un certain nombre de problèmes sociaux complexes. La faim, la pauvreté et l’itinérance sont en augmentation. Qui plus est, les incertitudes dans de nombreux secteurs économiques..." (Read the full story here.)
August 25, 2020, Global TV News
Olivia O'Malley: Welcome Hall Mission and its partners announced that the Ross Pavillion of the Old Royal Victoria Hospital is becoming a 24/7 resource for Montreal’s homeless population — the shelter will be dedicated to helping men and women get back into housing. (Read the full story here.)
Olivia O'Malley: Welcome Hall Mission and its partners announced that the Ross Pavillion of the Old Royal Victoria Hospital is becoming a 24/7 resource for Montreal’s homeless population — the shelter will be dedicated to helping men and women get back into housing. (Read the full story here.)
August 17, 2020, Montreal Gazette
'Mitigating the pandemic's impact on vulnerable families'
"While we have all heard a great deal about many of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, others remain relatively unnoticed. Among those are the major harms to children and families, which we have seen in our work with the Welcome Hall Mission..." (Read the full story here.)
'Mitigating the pandemic's impact on vulnerable families'
"While we have all heard a great deal about many of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, others remain relatively unnoticed. Among those are the major harms to children and families, which we have seen in our work with the Welcome Hall Mission..." (Read the full story here.)
July 19, 2020, Montreal Gazette
'Allison Hanes: Challenging myths in the fight against homelessness'
"The months since COVID-19 made landfall in Montreal have been a whirlwind of activity for Samuel Watts, the CEO of the Welcome Hall Mission. As Quebec locked down and the city and province sprung into action to protect the high-risk homeless population, Watts went from operating one emergency shelter to running five..." (Read the full story here.)
'Allison Hanes: Challenging myths in the fight against homelessness'
"The months since COVID-19 made landfall in Montreal have been a whirlwind of activity for Samuel Watts, the CEO of the Welcome Hall Mission. As Quebec locked down and the city and province sprung into action to protect the high-risk homeless population, Watts went from operating one emergency shelter to running five..." (Read the full story here.)
July 19, 2020, Montreal Gazette
'Allison Hanes: Challenging myths in the fight against homelessness'
"The months since COVID-19 made landfall in Montreal have been a whirlwind of activity for Samuel Watts, the CEO of the Welcome Hall Mission. As Quebec locked down and the city and province sprung into action to protect the high-risk homeless population, Watts went from operating one emergency shelter to running five..." (Read the full story here.)
'Allison Hanes: Challenging myths in the fight against homelessness'
"The months since COVID-19 made landfall in Montreal have been a whirlwind of activity for Samuel Watts, the CEO of the Welcome Hall Mission. As Quebec locked down and the city and province sprung into action to protect the high-risk homeless population, Watts went from operating one emergency shelter to running five..." (Read the full story here.)
May 29, 2020, iHeart Radio
Radio interview on the book Good Work Done Better with Dave Kaufman.
(Listen below.)
Radio interview on the book Good Work Done Better with Dave Kaufman.
(Listen below.)
May 26, 2020, Montreal Gazette
'Montreal homeless haven't seen 'one penny' of emergency funds: shelter director'
"Montreal is being shortchanged on emergency funding meant to go toward fighting the spread of COVID-19 among its homeless population, according to three experts on homelessness. If the situation isn’t rectified soon, hundreds more people will end up living on the street before the pandemic is done..." (Read the full story here.)
'Montreal homeless haven't seen 'one penny' of emergency funds: shelter director'
"Montreal is being shortchanged on emergency funding meant to go toward fighting the spread of COVID-19 among its homeless population, according to three experts on homelessness. If the situation isn’t rectified soon, hundreds more people will end up living on the street before the pandemic is done..." (Read the full story here.)
April 23, 2020, CBC News
'It snowballed': Montreal food banks and other charities struggle to meet demand'
"Moisson Montréal increases output by 30% - Sam Watts, CEO of the Welcome Hall Mission, told CBC there has not been a notable increase in homelessness, but the demand on food services has gone way up. He encourages people to donate or volunteer if they can." (Read the full story here.)
'It snowballed': Montreal food banks and other charities struggle to meet demand'
"Moisson Montréal increases output by 30% - Sam Watts, CEO of the Welcome Hall Mission, told CBC there has not been a notable increase in homelessness, but the demand on food services has gone way up. He encourages people to donate or volunteer if they can." (Read the full story here.)
April 20, 2020, CBC News
'Maurice Richard Arena turned into shelter as city seeks new ways to help homeless avoid COVID-19'
"Need for long-term plan now: Watts - Sam Watts, CEO of Welcome Hall Mission, is currently managing five shelters, along with community partners such as the Old Brewery Mission. Watts is not involved with the Maurice Richard Arena initiative, however. He said he only learned about the east-end shelter on Monday, and while he is pleased to see the Plante administration helping the homeless, he said it's important that organizations remain involved at every step..." (Read the full story here.)
'Maurice Richard Arena turned into shelter as city seeks new ways to help homeless avoid COVID-19'
"Need for long-term plan now: Watts - Sam Watts, CEO of Welcome Hall Mission, is currently managing five shelters, along with community partners such as the Old Brewery Mission. Watts is not involved with the Maurice Richard Arena initiative, however. He said he only learned about the east-end shelter on Monday, and while he is pleased to see the Plante administration helping the homeless, he said it's important that organizations remain involved at every step..." (Read the full story here.)
April 13, 2020, CBC News
'Montreal readies hotel beds for homeless amid pandemic, but gaps in assistance remain'
"...Sam Watts, head of the Welcome Hall Mission, has been assisting the city in its response. He acknowledged there's still confusion as to where people with pets and addictions can go." (Read the full story here.)
'Montreal readies hotel beds for homeless amid pandemic, but gaps in assistance remain'
"...Sam Watts, head of the Welcome Hall Mission, has been assisting the city in its response. He acknowledged there's still confusion as to where people with pets and addictions can go." (Read the full story here.)
April 12, 2020, CTV News
'Multiple homeless Montrealers given tickets for physical distancing infractions'
"Welcome Hall Mission CEO Sam Watts said ticketing the homeless is a worrisome practice, regardless of their age..." (Read the full story here.)
'Multiple homeless Montrealers given tickets for physical distancing infractions'
"Welcome Hall Mission CEO Sam Watts said ticketing the homeless is a worrisome practice, regardless of their age..." (Read the full story here.)
April 1, 2020, CBC News
‘A time for hope, not a time for despair'
"Sam Watts, the head of the Welcome Hall Mission, gave a moving speech as the city unveiled new measures to protect the homeless population from COVID-19." (Link)
‘A time for hope, not a time for despair'
"Sam Watts, the head of the Welcome Hall Mission, gave a moving speech as the city unveiled new measures to protect the homeless population from COVID-19." (Link)
March 31, 2020, CBC News
'Montreal opens new shelters, outdoor day centres to reach out to homeless in pandemic'
"...Sam Watts, CEO of Welcome Hall Mission, commended the combined effort of community groups, the city and public health. Without that partnership, he said, nothing much happens. But there is still work to do..." (Read the full story here.)
'Montreal opens new shelters, outdoor day centres to reach out to homeless in pandemic'
"...Sam Watts, CEO of Welcome Hall Mission, commended the combined effort of community groups, the city and public health. Without that partnership, he said, nothing much happens. But there is still work to do..." (Read the full story here.)
March 20, 2020, CBC News
'Montreal's old Royal Victoria Hospital to be converted to COVID-19 isolation unit for homeless'
"The old Royal Victoria Hospital on the flank of Mount Royal, which has served as a temporary overflow shelter for homeless Montrealers and their pets for the last two winters, is being converted into a COVID-19 isolation unit for homeless people awaiting testing or those who become infected." (Read the full story here.)
'Montreal's old Royal Victoria Hospital to be converted to COVID-19 isolation unit for homeless'
"The old Royal Victoria Hospital on the flank of Mount Royal, which has served as a temporary overflow shelter for homeless Montrealers and their pets for the last two winters, is being converted into a COVID-19 isolation unit for homeless people awaiting testing or those who become infected." (Read the full story here.)
March 18, 2020, Forbes
'Shelters And Food Banks Helping Those Among Most Vulnerable To The Coronavirus'
"...Sam Watts, CEO of the Welcome Hall Mission in Montreal fears that information and instructions about the novel coronavirus do not sufficiently take into account precarious wage earners and those experiencing homelessness, many of whom are immunocompromised..." (Read the full story here.)
'Shelters And Food Banks Helping Those Among Most Vulnerable To The Coronavirus'
"...Sam Watts, CEO of the Welcome Hall Mission in Montreal fears that information and instructions about the novel coronavirus do not sufficiently take into account precarious wage earners and those experiencing homelessness, many of whom are immunocompromised..." (Read the full story here.)
March 5, 2019, Mission Bon Accueil/Welcome Hall Mission
"Marché Bon Accueil"
(Visit the website here.)
"Marché Bon Accueil"
(Visit the website here.)
December 29, 2019, Global News
'Sam Watts talks helping Montrealers in need, social isolation and community support'
"Sam Watts is the CEO of Welcome Hall Mission, a long-standing organization that provides support to children, adults and families in need in Montreal. After leaving the business world, Watts joined Welcome Hall Mission in 2016. He has played a key role in helping the city’s homeless people and building strong relationships with other non-profit organizations. He spoke with Global News about how the past decade shaped up, the challenges in his line of work and his hopes for the future. (Read the full story here.)
'Sam Watts talks helping Montrealers in need, social isolation and community support'
"Sam Watts is the CEO of Welcome Hall Mission, a long-standing organization that provides support to children, adults and families in need in Montreal. After leaving the business world, Watts joined Welcome Hall Mission in 2016. He has played a key role in helping the city’s homeless people and building strong relationships with other non-profit organizations. He spoke with Global News about how the past decade shaped up, the challenges in his line of work and his hopes for the future. (Read the full story here.)