THE FAMILY BEHIND LA SORTIE

Many Montrealers are facing exclusion or are experiencing diverse social problems such as domestic violence, addiction or homelessness. In order to bring them comfort, several organizations and related initiatives work in these areas of expertise. The team at La Sortie is also there to help !
Although considerable effort is being made with individuals living such hardships, services for victims of sexual exploitation are almost non-existent. The victims are often living with many of the issues listed above and many find themselves selling their bodies, believing that it will help them meet their basic, emotional and/or material needs.
Nothing that La Sortie does would be possible without a highly committed team : « La Sortie » family !
|FOUNDER|

Gerry PLUNKETT
Founder
Philanthropist and pastor for 30 years in the West Island community, Gerry Plunkett and his wife Marcia have a heart to help victims of sexual exploitation. In the spring of 2012 Gerry recruited a team and formed a committee dedicated to the establishment and growth of this charity organization. Their prime goal is to provide victims a way out of the sex industry.
|BOARD OF DIRECTORS|

Tricia
Survivor
I, a determined, courageous and proactive 29 year-old woman, am a survivor of sexual exploitation who has been out of the industry since February 2020. In addition to having taken steps with the IVAC, I have denounced my pimp and I am currently in legal proceedings against him. I have always been someone that is sensitive to injustices but I have learned to turn my grief and anger into courage so that I can move forward while helping other survivors. Since January 2021, under the pseudonym LauGa, I have been able to contribute to the wellbeing of survivors once they decide to leave prostitution. I have testified before the parliamentary committee concerning Bill 84 on the IVAC reform. I have made my voice heard through my Twitter account and Facebook page, in addition to having the opportunity to be quoted in La Presse. I have found great inner strength uniting with others already present in the political sphere as we develop a deeper understanding of victims of sexual exploitation. In May 2021, I was incredibly fortunate to receive help from La Sortie, a great team of people who go out of their way to assist women. They were able to provide me with help, aid and comfort in one of the darkest times of my life. I immediately wanted to join and offer my support to their mission. When they offered me the opportunity to join the Board of Directors, I accepted with great pleasure. In September 2021, I returned to school to complete my professional studies diploma as an administrative assistant. I intend to continue to make my voice heard as I help survivors.

Sylvie LEMIEUX
President
As an administrator at an airport, Sylvie Lemieux has been involved in her community for more than 20 years, whne she had the calling to help the organization in the rescue of victims. Ms. Lemieux is eager to provide a refuge for these young women who are often lacking a welcoming, safe place. Lemieux’s efforts are focused towards the board of directors where she helps ensure good democratic governance.

Mme Marcela PEÑA-VEGA
Public Affairs
Ms. Peña-Vega is an economic adviser and manager of cooperation and international development programs. She holds a degree in Economics with an MBA and a Master's degree in International Studies, Economics, Cooperation and Development from the University of Montreal. She has over 15 years experience in project management coupled with technical expertise in economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, employability, women's rights and youth in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Quebec. She has experience with organizations such as: CECI, L'Œuvre Léger, SUCO, PLAN, OXFAM, IICA, IFAD and UNODC. She is currently Program Manager at DID (Développement International Desjardins). Ms. Peña-Vega is committed to community development, including advocating for the rights of women and girls in Canada and elsewhere.

Mario TETI
Treasurer
Mr. Teti and his wife Nadine are entrepreneurs from the West Island of Montreal. Together, they own a bakery and delicatessen. They are involved in more than one humanitarian cause, and recognize the need for all the resources offered by La Sortie. Mr. Teti joined the team with the objective of putting his experience as an administrator at the service of balanced financial management.

Me. Patricia CHAMOUN
Legal Affairs
Me. Patricia Chamoun holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Law and a Juris Doctorate in Common Law from the University of Ottawa. She has also completed studies in political science and economics, with a specialization in public affairs. She began her career as a lawyer in a firm in Ottawa / Gatineau, before relocating to France (Paris and Lyon) to work at a renowned international law firm. She returned to Montreal where she founded her own firm in 2010. Me Chamoun and her firm represent SMEs, particularly in the areas of business, real estate, construction and technology. In the last several years, due to her passion for the arts, music and cinematography, Me. Chamoun developed an expertise in the field of Entertainment Law. Me. Chamoun is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Laval (CCIL) and the Canadian-Lebanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She is often called upon to be a speaker and to animate professional training workshops. She also sits on various boards of directors, including the Jean-Marc Paquette Foundation and Charles-Perreault elementary school. She is a director and member of the Executive Committee of the Caisse Desjardins Centre de l’Est de Laval. She is one of the co-founding members of the Lebanese Film Festival in Canada. Her ultimate goal is to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Jacques BELLEMARE
Administrator
Mr. Jacques Bellemare is director of the Corporation de développement communautaire de Beauport (CDCB). He has been awarded a medal from the National Assembly of Quebec for his dynamic involvement with many partner organizations over several years. Mr. Bellemare brings his expertise to the development and consolidation of La Sortie.

Mélanie
Administrator
Melanie works for a Montreal company as a sales coordinator. She has also held senior management positions with one of Canada's largest restaurant companies. Melanie has a bachelor's degree from McGill University in Psychology and Education. She is passionate about giving back to the community and being active in causes that help people in need.
|DIRECTION|

Ronald LEPAGE
Director
Ronald Lepage first studied in management and furthered his education in the fields of philanthropic management and drug addiction treatment at Université de Montréal. For many years, he successfully and passionately led a community organization in the region of Abitibi-Témiscamingue. The Gérard-Brisson Center was charged with street work and is an internal treatment center for dependence, as well as a resource for social reintegration. Under his direction, the center has been certified by the MSSS. His role is to manage all the domains of the organization including organizing assistance and support services for the victims.
|EMPLOYEES|

Lyne
Clinical Coordinator
Lyne has completed certificates in Drug Addiction and in Mental Health. She is currently studying to obtain her "BACCAP fondement et pratiques en sciences sociales et santé". Living at the residence on week days, she accompanies women in their social reintegration process.

Gabrielle BARRETTE
Outreach worker
Gabrielle has a desire to help people in need and to accompany them on their journey towards a promising future at the height of their potential. She began her career as a case worker in a Youth Center with her social work technique diploma in hand. She was also a residential counselor (intervention) in a shelter for women victims of domestic violence. Gabrielle intends to make a difference with the people she meets thanks to her human approach and her attentive ear, and to encourage each of the steps that will lead these women towards their development and their autonomy.

Loraine LAPLANTE
Liaison Worker
A survivor who completed the Alternative to the Sex Industry program at La Sortie, Loraine is a woman who has been deeply involved for several years in the field with women victims of sexual exploitation. She wishes not only to represent hope for these women, but to provide them with concrete help. Through her life experience and her knowledge, Loraine brings a unique and incomparable touch to the team. Since April 2021, she has successfully completed the peer helper program given by the AQRP and will start in September 2021 a certificate in substance abuse at the University of Sherbrooke, Longueuil campus.

Rose SULLIVAN
Outreach Worker
From her early adult years, Rose has been moved by the issues of social exclusion, and since then has been working, benefitting from community services as well devoting her time as a volunteer and activist. Curious and thirsty for knowledge, Rose attended training courses on the subject of relationship building. In the Spring of 2021, she will graduate with a technical degree in social work. Alongside her reality as a mother and student, she made a precarious living, and has been in and out of the sex industry between the ages of 15 and 30. In an effort to understand the associated suffering and trauma, Rose became involved in the fight against sexual exploitation. Today, almost 10 years later, she believes in the importance and validity of the experience of the survivors along with peer support. For this reason, after careful consideration, she joined the team at La Sortie.

Tammy
Community Worker
Tammy has more than 20 years of volunteer and professional experience in the social, administrative and managerial fields. She also has 31 years of experience providing unconditional love as a mother which she shares with all human beings who need it. She joined our staff deciding it was time to fuel her desire to have a greater impact on society. A humanitarian at heart, La Sortie was the perfect destination as the fight against sexual exploitation has always been her passion. “Don't try to change the world, find something that you love. And do it every day. Do that for the rest of your life, and eventually, the world will change.” Macklemore ♥️

Marie-Ève COOL
Outreach Worker
Marie-Ève Cool is a young survivor of sexual exploitation who now works as a Peer Counselor at La Sortie. She is highly curious and articulate, with great strength of character. She easily wins the trust of women and clearly expresses her ideas and analyses, but also challenges herself when necessary. She is aware of the luck and opportunities that she has had, and wishes to help those who have not had her opportunities and to contribute to the fight against sexual exploitation.

Pascal TAILLON
Technical Coordinator & Videographer
Responsible for the general technique, training and deployment of the tools. Videography, photography and visual aspect of communications.