asked me to attend a meeting in her place,” says Howlett. “Ultimately, this event ended up being the birthplace of Portage and I accepted to chair this new initiative.” The team knew the success of this project would require unwavering community support, and it was here that Alphonsine Paré-Howlett’s investment proved to be providential. Her ability to bring people together and her vast network of knowledge made all of the difference. Portage became a true community alliance in Montréal to bring about change. At that first meeting, Portage’s idea was to create a new rehabilitation program based on the Daytop Village therapeutic community approach, which aimed to rehabilitate among other drug-addicted prisoners in the New York City correctional system. Portage, named as such to express its mission to find a way around an obstacle to continue its journey, saw its first three years devoted to design, research, implementation of services and fundraising. “In the fall of 1972, members of Portage identified a lakeside estate 45 minutes from Montréal, in Prévost in the Laurentians, as a perfect location for establishing the first residential centre,” says Howlett. “It was on the shores of majestic Lac Echo, 83 JUNE 2023 | BUSINESS ELITE CANADA
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