Our history
Habitations partagées Mirela is first and foremost the result of a vision: To enrich and build bridges between generations and cultures and contribute to the resilience of Francophone individuals and communities in Ontario amidst a changing society.
In 2020, the three co-founders, Mireille Leroux, Megan Sicard and Pascale Thériault, start planning the project on a volunteer basis. To refine their concept, the co-founders facilitate round tables, conduct surveys and participate in several webinars. Then, a $10,000 bursary allows them to carry out their intergenerational homesharing project. In November 2020, a first match is made between Claire and Mireille. They are still living together to this day.
In February 2021, Habitations partagées Mirela officially becomes a non-profit corporation.
In 2022-2023, Mirela receives two grants to implement a pilot project and develop its business plan. During this period, Mirela recruits other participants for a total of five matches, as much intergenerational as intercultural.
The Result of a Vision
Habitations partagées Mirela is a Franco-Ontarian non-profit organization that promotes the concept of homesharing in a spirit of mutual support.
Mission
Mirela helps people who want to share a home to help each other, break social isolation and find safe, affordable housing in and around Ottawa.
Vision 2030
Mirela enriches and builds bridges between generations and cultures and contributes to the resilience of Francophone individuals and communities in Ontario amidst a changing society.
Values
Social commitment
Peer support
Inclusion
Sharing resources
Respect for self and others
Our team
Mireille Leroux
Co-founder and Community Support and Development
Mireille had the idea of implementing a housing concept that would bring together people from different generations and cultures under the same roof, for the well-being of each individual and the community.
She provides personalized support for our participants while taking into account their individual interests and needs. Mireille also helps facilitate our workshops, which promote communication and better living together. Mireille holds degrees in social sciences, and contemplative theology and spiritual mentoring.
Our Board of Directors
Megan Sicard
President and Co-founder
Megan is a graduate of Saint Paul University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Innovation (magna cum laude). She specializes in research and analysis with a focus on the impacts of social determinants of health on the well-being of aging adults, and the innovative role of intergenerational projects.
In addition to her education, Megan has significant experience as an orderly. She has provided care in the home as well as in long-term care facilities. In addition, she provided support to seniors receiving palliative care.
Megan’s goal is to provide seniors in the Ottawa community with an alternative way to age well at home.
Hicham Kahlouche
Vice-President
A pharmacist and toxicologist by training, Hicham is a seasoned entrepreneur with 14 years of experience in project management, training, business development, change management and healthcare.
Hicham has always been engaged in self-giving serving as an educator, employability mentor and sports coach. He currently sits on three boards of directors, including the Centre des ressources de l’Est d’Ottawa and the Petrie Island Canoe Club.
Hicham joined the organization because he wants to help make a positive impact in the lives of people, especially seniors, and to build strong and resilient communities in Ottawa and Ontario.
Denis Beaudry
Secretary-Treasurer
Denis joined the Board of Directors in May 2022. He had a 30+ year career at Desjardins where he spent the last 10 years as Executive Director. He retired in 2021.
Denis has also served on a number of boards, including the Michaël Jean Foundation, Fondation de La Cité, Fédération des Caisses populaires de l’Ontario and Le Cap.
He decided to get involved in our organization because he feels strongly about the cause and the difference we can make in the lives of people in our community.
Thuy Vuong Blais
External Relations Director
After 15 years in business development and project management for major groups in the healthcare and technology sectors, Thuy made a radical career change in 2013. She then joined the IECD (Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement) where she set up the organization’s legal structure in Vietnam and helped secure funding to implement several programs.
Thuy settled in Ottawa in 2020 after working in France and Vietnam. She first became involved with the PARO Centre for Women’s Entreprise and then with the Franco-Ontarian minority business community.
Muriel Lalonde
Rural Community Development Director
Muriel is a proud francophone, native and resident of Eastern Ontario. Over the past few years, she was a caregiver for both her parents. Having seen the needs, it is obvious to her that Mirela’s services need to expand in her home region of Prescott-Russell.
Muriel has over 15 years of experience in healthcare and more than 20 years in human services. She has held a variety of clinical, managerial and executive positions, as well as human resources and psychosocial positions.
Muriel holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and has several years of experience sitting on various boards of directors. Muriel is currently the Executive Director of Maison Interlude House (MIH), an organization that supports women victims of violence.
Ève Gagné
Marketing Director
Ève holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) from the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management. Her university journey, punctuated by cooperative internships, enabled her to learn about the realities of the public and private sectors. For several years already, Ève has been putting her expertise to good use in the community sector.
During the pandemic, Ève observed some issues related to social isolation and the need to address them as well as the urgency of the situation. Habitations Partagées Mirela fits perfectly into this mission, which is very close to her heart.
Pascale Thériault
Past Vice-President and Co-Founder
After completing technical training in social work, Pascale worked for nearly five years in the community sector.
Pascale is motivated by people and community capacity building. She thus pursued post-secondary studies in business administration to acquire more knowledge in organizational development with a view to developing inclusive and innovative socio-economic projects and programs.
Our partners
Our ambassador
Thanks to our funding partners!
Be part of the Mirela family
Register today at: habitationsmirela@gmail.com