Welcome Hall Mission's CEO Cyril Morgan Wins Laurie Normand-Starr Award

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 28, 2014) - It is with great pleasure that Ralph Loewen, President of the Board of Directors of Welcome Hall Mission, announces that the Mission's CEO and Executive Director, Cyril Morgan, has been awarded the 2014 Laurie Normand-Starr Humanitarian Award.

The Award was created in 2009 in memory of a woman who volunteered her time and energy to put an end to childhood hunger and is presented annually to individuals who share her passion and dedication for creating sustainable change. Mr. Morgan received the Award at the Patron's Reception at the Table of Hope event on May 26^th, 2014.

Welcome Hall Mission has been active in the Montreal area since 1892. Originally opened to serve homeless men, the multi-disciplinary organization now provides transformational services to a broad range of clientele spanning all generations.

Of particular interest to the nominating committee was Mr. Morgan's leadership in the creation of programs for women and children. The Mission offers support to pregnant young women who are often homeless, providing them with practical skills and training them to create a healthy, safe lifestyle for themselves and their children. Known as Coeur à Sœur, the program follows the mothers after their birth until their children are five years of age. From age five to seventeen, children can participate in Children's Services where psychosocial interventions and pre-emptive approaches are available to help them succeed. Synergistic services, like the Dental Clinic and the Food Bank also serve women and children. Thousands of Montreal children participate in the Mission's back to school event (Rentrée la Tête Haute) and its Christmas toy give-away (Noël Pour Tous).

"I am honoured to have been selected to receive the Laurie Normand-Starr Humanitarian Award," Mr. Morgan said. "I accept it on behalf of the hundreds of employees and volunteers who make our programs possible and who stand with us in our mission to eliminate homelessness, eradicate the cycle of poverty and improve the lives of the most disadvantaged among us."

Welcome Hall Mission helps Montreal's most disadvantaged through its multiple services which provide constant, effective assistance to tens of thousands of men, women, children and teenagers. Across all programs, the common denominator is its commitment to supporting and giving hope to the most disadvantaged through concrete actions and effective solutions to build a better life and reintegrate into society.