Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The president of the Demeure Toi organization in Gaspé is satisfied with the agreement reached with the CISSS de la Gaspésie.

On July 15, the organization announced that, following two weeks of discussions with the regional health authority, it had secured $275,000 per year in funding for the next three years.

“We discussed each other’s understanding and perception of the client profile. We realized that we had a common understanding of the needs of this clientele,” says president Claudine Dupuis.
The agreement will be re-evaluated in three years.

“We have no guarantees, but I remain very confident that with the collaboration we have with the CISSS, everything will go smoothly,” Ms Dupuis adds.

The $8.9 million building is scheduled to be delivered at the end of July, with interior work to follow in preparation for welcoming the first tenants, people living with autism, by mid-September. Of the 11 spots available, a few remain open.

Hiring of staff will begin shortly, although the organization has not yet finalized its operating budget. Calculations are still underway.

An open house is planned, possibly in August, to allow the public to visit the facility.

Earlier this year, a dispute over funding had led Demeure Toi to consider delaying the opening of the building. At the time, the organization cited a promised $318,000 in funding from the Quebec government, while the CISSS was offering only $50,000.