From its founding in 1971 to today, Perspective Famille continues to build a safe and humane environment for families in Laval.
Ms. Léona Crowley-Brault (1927–2023)
Since its creation, our organization has always been committed to supporting families through major life transitions, such as separation, single parenthood, or blended families. Over the years, we have evolved to meet the changing needs of the community, offering tailored support and personalized services aimed at fostering the well-being and resilience of every family member.
Discover how our journey has been shaped by the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and partners — all committed to creating a caring and supportive space for families in transition.
Biography
Ms. Brault was involved in numerous community initiatives focused on the well-being of Laval residents. She was ready to push through many doors to bring meaningful change to her community. And that is exactly what she did, over fifty years ago, to support single mothers in the Sainte-Rose community.
Thanks to her dedication, the organization was founded in 1972. At the time, Ms. Brault had been separated from her spouse for more than ten years and was raising her three sons on her own. During a parish congress in 1971 on family unity, she pointed out that single-parent families were not receiving services that met their specific needs. She was then entrusted with the project of creating an organization to support these families — a mission she wholeheartedly embraced.
A few months later, she held the first meeting of the Association Parents Uniques de Laval, now known as Perspective Famille. For many years, Ms. Brault devoted countless hours to the cause, reaching out to as many single parents as possible and securing funding to ensure the organization's growth. She even opened the doors of her own home to provide a safe space where single mothers could gather and receive help and support. Her kindness and warmth were deeply appreciated by those who knew her.
Ms. Brault laid the foundation for who we are today, and we are immensely grateful. It is thanks to her perseverance and dedication over the years that we are still able to support so many families navigating life transitions in our region.
On behalf of the board of directors and the many families who have been part of this organization since the very beginning: thank you, Ms. Brault, and rest in peace…
The Pastoral Council entrusts Lee Brault with the responsibility of establishing an organization for single-parent families.
The Pastoral Council entrusts Lee Brault with the responsibility of establishing an organization for single-parent families
Founding of Parents Uniques by Lee Brault, joined by Agathe Lupien and supported by Father Marcel Dubois, then priest of the Sainte-Rose parish.
The association, aimed at separated or divorced women, had the goals of gathering, sharing, informing, integrating better into society, and organizing leisure activities. The first meeting took place on October 5, 1972. The leaders worked on a volunteer basis.
Creation of several discussion groups in response to members' expressed needs.
Creation of several discussion groups in response to members' expressed needs
Need for a permanent space and a board of directors.
Need for a permanent space and a board of directors
The parish premises had become too small, and the homes of Lee Brault and Agathe Lupien were overwhelmed almost every evening and weekend — a permanent space and an office were needed. The women were overwhelmed with work. A meeting was held in October to find solutions, leading to the incorporation of the movement and the election of a board of directors.
Registered non-profit corporation and creation of the RELOIS Project.
Registered non-profit corporation
“Association Parents Uniques de Laval inc.” (APUL) is now officially registered as a non-profit corporation. In August, the RELOIS Project (Research and Leisure) is launched. The project aims to create a profile of the typical single-parent family in Laval. Two videos are produced as a result: The Single-Parent Family in Laval and What is the Association Parents Uniques de Laval inc.? The project concluded in the summer of 1979.
Numerous activities have been offered by the Association Parents-Uniques since its founding in 1972.
Numerous activities have been offered by the Association Parents-Uniques since its founding in 1972
Services offered by the organization:
A study was conducted in 1983 with the Fédération des Associations de Familles monoparentales du Québec. Until 1998, the organization published the newsletter L’éclaircie.
Growth and new projects for the organization and families.
Growth and new projects
The Friends Committee becomes The Parents Uniques de Laval Foundation, which manages the thrift shop opened in October, “Le prêt à reporter.” For the fifth consecutive year, women craft Christmas candy wreaths to raise funds for the organization.
Launch of personal growth workshops for children from single-parent families.
Recipient of the 1990 Distinction Award (special mention); the organization becomes a resource for the education sector.
Recipient of the 1990 Distinction Award (special mention); the organization becomes a resource for the education sector
The “1990 Distinction Award – Special Mention” from the Laval Committee of Social Organizations is awarded to the organization for its support of women experiencing relationship breakdowns, its support of children, and its willingness to collaborate with other local organizations.
A new school-based awareness and information program is launched, aimed at teaching staff, school administrators, and professionals. The program helps to highlight the temporary challenges children face when their parents separate.
Launch of a legal guide and promotion of the father's role and involvement with the child.
Launch of a legal guide and promotion of the father's role and involvement with the child
The organization publishes and launches the Legal Guide to the Stages of a Breakup (Bitzakidis, 1995), aimed at women's centers, shelters for women victims of violence, and professionals working with families.
The association incorporates a father/child day into the children's personal growth workshops. It also expands its services to include group sessions for separated or divorced men, focused on coping with breakup and its emotional effects.
Identity renewal: name changed to Regroupement des familles monoparentales et recomposées de Laval.
Identity renewal: name changed to Regroupement des familles monoparentales et recomposées de Laval
The organization changes its name to Regroupement des familles monoparentales et recomposées de Laval, better reflecting its mission. This also acknowledges the growing participation of men in its services. The new motto is introduced: “Focusing on family means focusing on a core value.”
Clarification of the association’s mission:
Retirement of Director Agathe Maheux and first leadership change since 1977.
Retirement of Director Ms. Agathe Maheux and first leadership change since 1977
After 28 years at the helm, Ms. Agathe Maheux retires, marking the end of an era. With her departure, the organization undergoes its first leadership change since 1977. This transition is a significant milestone in the organization’s history, bringing new perspectives and opportunities for the future. The change comes with challenges, along with the ambition to build upon the strong foundation laid by Ms. Brault and Ms. Maheux.
Co-parenting seminars: support for parents experiencing separation or divorce.
Co-parenting seminars: support for parents experiencing separation or divorce
In collaboration with the CSSS de Laval, now known as the CISSS de Laval, co-parenting seminars were offered to parents going through divorce or separation. These seminars aimed to provide practical tools for managing the challenges of co-parenting, covering communication techniques, conflict management strategies, and advice to support the well-being of children. This initiative highlighted the organization's commitment to supporting families during difficult times.
Presence of a lawyer to support the organization’s legal services.
Presence of a lawyer to support the organization’s legal services
As part of its initiatives, the organization brought in a specialized lawyer to meet the legal needs of its members. This not only helped demystify often complex legal processes but also ensured that families received assistance tailored to their unique situations.
Launch of the “Self-Esteem” day camp.
Launch of the “Self-Esteem” day camp
The “Self-Esteem” day camp is launched to support children aged 7 to 13 experiencing parental separation or blended family dynamics. During the three weeks of camp, children build confidence through playful and educational activities. Supervised by professionals, they learn to express their emotions and connect with other children going through similar experiences.
Addition of a co-parenting support service.
Addition of a co-parenting support service
The organization now offers a neutral space where parents can communicate via email. With a professional copied on all messages, the initiative aims to facilitate communication between parents. It helps create a safe and structured environment, promoting constructive and child-centered exchanges, while providing professional support to address emerging concerns.
Establishment of the Supervised Access Rights (SAR) service.
Establishment of the Supervised Access Rights (SAR) service
These services were launched to meet the needs of families in transition requiring supervised visits between a parent and their children. The organization aimed to create a neutral and secure environment that allowed children to maintain healthy relationships with their parents without being exposed to conflict. Supervised visits and exchanges helped reduce emotional stress and supported parents in navigating these sensitive situations. These services fostered healthy family relationships and contributed to children's well-being for over 7 years.
In 2025, the Supervised Access Rights service came to an end. This transition is carried out with gratitude for the journey taken and confidence in the future. We express our appreciation for the relationships built, the support provided, and the safety offered to children.
We remain confident that families and the community will continue to grow in an environment shaped by respect, resilience, and hope.
Perspective Famille: a new vision to support diverse family paths.
Perspective Famille: a new vision to support diverse family paths
The organization’s new identity reflects the direction Perspective Famille will take in the coming years. This first initiative by the board of directors aimed to enhance support for family members going through transitions. A second outcome was the redefinition of the organization’s mission to focus on family transitions and reducing the impact of parental separation on children.
By focusing on the diversity of family paths, Perspective Famille hopes to meet a broader range of needs for families in transition.
1971 - © Perspective Famille
