Who we are
Founded in 2018, Un toit pour Elles (utpELLES) was born out of the alarming lack of shelter and housing resources adapted to women and girls with a history of involvement in the sex industry. This lack of safe solutions significantly limits the ability of these women and girls to escape cycles of violence and precariousness.
Recognizing that shelter is an essential step in the journey out of prostitution, utpELLES’s mission is to provide safe, transitional housing and support in the process of re-empowerment. Our goal is to support women who wish to leave the sex industry and move toward a more stable and independent future for themselves, and for their children, should they have any.
Timeline
Since its creation, utpELLES has worked tirelessly to find solutions to facilitate access to housing and security for women in the process of leaving prostitution.
2018
Founding of our organization
2020
In response to the emergency, our organization began offering hotel rooms to women fleeing violence and wishing to leave the sex industry, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
utpELLES expanded its services by setting up temporary apartments, allowing women in situations of residential instability and homelessness to benefit from support in finding a permanent housing solution.
2025
Thanks to hard work, our organization is about to begin a major project: the construction of the first building in Montreal dedicated to transitional housing for women in the process of leaving prostitution.
With this initiative, utpELLES has taken a new step in its mission: that of offering a true launch pad towards a life of freedom and security.
Our team and governance structure
The team
Bailaou Diallo
Coordinator
Lorena Diaz Caviedes
Development Agent
Angelika Mongis
Consultant – Project manager
Zoé Hertoghs
Head of Administration
Catherine Lapointe
Advocacy Manager
Publications
News
Learn about our latest life-changing actions and projects. Stay informed about upcoming events.
