A New Home Port: Foyer des marins Trois-Rivièves Celebrates Its Annual Meeting and Inauguration

On October 16, the Foyer des marins Trois-Rivières gathered a full house of volunteers, partners, and community representatives for its annual general meeting and inauguration of its new location. The meeting, held in a spirit of warmth and thanksgiving, marked a significant moment in the organization’s long history of service to seafarers. The event was not only an administrative gathering but also a heartfelt celebration of hospitality, commitment, and renewal. Board members, long-time volunteers, and new supporters filled the room, joined by representatives from the port authority and local community, all united by a shared mission—to make the port of Trois-Rivières a place of welcome for those who spend their lives at sea.

The session began with greetings from President Maurice Blanchette, who spoke with deep gratitude and conviction about the meaning of the new space. “This place you have entrusted to us is not just a space,” he said. “It is a home port for those weary from the sea.” He went on to describe the Foyer as “the quiet but essential setting for a thousand gestures of welcome, comfort, kindness, and fraternity.” His words carried through the room, touching the many volunteers who have, over decades, offered warm coffee, clean clothes, a few minutes of conversation, and a prayer to those far from home. “If these stairs [of our former locale] could speak,” he continued, “they would tell of thousands of passages, thousands of encounters, and just as many departures.”

After the president’s remarks, Deacon Paul Racette, who has led the Foyer’s pastoral and operational work for over a decade, thanked the crowd for their steadfast support. “This new space is yours,” he said. “It belongs to all those who care about the well-being of seafarers. May it be a place of welcome, rest, and renewal for all who cross its threshold.” He expressed special gratitude to the volunteers whose dedication sustains the daily rhythm of the Foyer, from ship visits and errands to preparing the space for arriving seafarers.

Among the invited guests was Port Director Gaétan Boivin, who offered generous praise for the work of the Foyer. “I haven’t seen many facilities as welcoming as this one,” he said, commending both the dedication of the volunteers and the spirit that animates their service. “Sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that make the biggest difference when you’ve been far from home.” His remarks highlighted the close partnership between the port authority and the Foyer, a collaboration that has allowed this mission to thrive in the heart of Trois-Rivières’ maritime community.

The business portion of the meeting was held, with reports from the previous year presented to members and guests. The treasurer summarized the year’s finances, noting that despite challenges and the loss of some traditional income sources, the Foyer ended the year in a good position thanks to new partnerships and careful management. The meeting also highlighted the invaluable contributions of Alcoa, which has generously covered electricity costs for the new premises, and of local supporters who have provided supplies and maintenance help.

A particularly touching part of the meeting came when volunteers introduced themselves one by one. Some had joined only recently, while others had served for twenty or even thirty years. Their stories reflected the heart of the Foyer’s mission—ordinary people offering extraordinary care. From veterans who have welcomed thousands of seafarers to newcomers eager to learn the ropes, the sense of continuity and family was palpable. “Our youngest volunteer is only a few months into his service,” said one board member proudly, gesturing to a young volunteer, who attended with his mother. The audience broke into applause, celebrating both experience and renewal.

Following the formal agenda, attendees witnessed the inauguration. The new facility stands as a practical improvement—more accessible, comfortable, and adaptable—but also as a symbol of enduring mission. President Blanchette said in closing, “May this new space continue to be, for a long time, a house of friendship, solidarity, and humanity.”