📣 Big News for the West Island: WIAF Becomes the New Owner of PROJECT CASA’s Home in Roxboro–Pierrefonds!

The West Island Assistance Fund (WIAF) has reached an exciting milestone — as of December 4th, it is now the official owner of the former post office at **6 Rue du Centre-Commercial** in Roxboro–Pierrefonds. This building will soon become **PROJECT CASA**, a dynamic community hub built to meet the urgent and growing needs of West Island residents.

With food-aid requests up **23% in just one year** and more than **24,000 people** in the West Island living below the poverty line, the need for expanded services has never been greater. One in three food bank users is a child, and community groups across the region are overwhelmed. PROJECT CASA is WIAF’s bold response to this reality.

“Project CASA is not about bricks and walls, it’s about people,”** says Gregory Orleski, President of the WIAF Board. “This is our community’s response to a social emergency that’s impossible to ignore.”

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**🌱 What is Project CASA?**

A reimagined neighbourhood space designed around dignity, inclusion, and belonging. CASA will offer:

✔️ **An expanded, integrated food bank** at the heart of a community food hub

✔️ **A social bistro & collective kitchen** for cooking, learning, and sharing

✔️ **A renewed thrift store** offering affordable, sustainable options

✔️ **Urban agriculture & gardens**, including an updated Jardins de l’Espoir

✔️ **Shared workspaces for community partners**, fostering collaboration and connection

CASA will be a place for everyday life — where people come for support, but also for warmth, community, and the reassurance that they’re not alone.

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**🏗 Essential Work Begins Now**

To launch this transformation, WIAF has reinvested resources from the sale of the former Jardins de l’Espoir land. Priority renovations — including roof repairs — start immediately.

Located steps from the future REM station, the site will become a vibrant, people-first destination supporting resilience and social ties throughout Pierrefonds-Roxboro and beyond.

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**🤝 Powered by Community Support**

This milestone is made possible thanks to solidarity finance partners **Desjardins** and the **Fiducie du Chantier de l’économie sociale**.

Next up: a major fundraising campaign inviting residents, businesses, and foundations to help bring CASA fully to life.

**“Project CASA belongs to the community,”** says Orleski. **“Every contribution helps make this vision a reality.”**