Wellness fair and Latin party back Aylmer women’s shelter

Tashi Farmilo

A full day of events at Centre Aydelu in Aylmer on Saturday, November 8 will close with a Latin dance party aimed at raising funds for L’Autre Chez-Soi, a Gatineau shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. The evening event, Fiesta Latina, begins at 7 pm with a Latin dance class and continues at 8 pm with a dance party led by DJ Eazy El Dee.

The event is part of the Salon du Mieux-Être & Créativité, a family-focused wellness and creativity fair running from 10 - 4 pm at the same location. The fair includes local vendors, food, holistic practitioners, family activities, and a fundraising raffle. Both events are open to the public, with proceeds benefiting the shelter.

Tickets for Fiesta Latina are $25 at the door or $20 in advance, with VIP admission at $30 including a Latin dance class, a slice of pizza from Jimmie’s Pizza, one non-alcoholic drink, and entry into several prize draws. A portion of ticket sales and proceeds from a featured gift basket draw and jewelry sale will go directly to the shelter.

Organizer Sophie Durand, who co-hosts the event with Carole Lynn Puckett, has a personal connection to the cause. In the early 2000s, she and her children were housed at L’Autre Chez-Soi after fleeing violence at home. She credits the organization with providing a safe place, basic necessities, and emotional support during one of the most difficult periods of her life.“They welcomed us when we had nowhere else to go,” Durand said. “It became a safe space for my children. Organizing this event is a way to give back for what they gave us.”

The shelter offers both residential and non-residential services to women experiencing domestic violence. Director France Dubois said the staff provides 24/7 support, crisis intervention, housing assistance, access to employment services, and support for children, many of whom have witnessed or experienced abuse. While the average stay is three months, some cases require longer support depending on individual needs.

Dubois noted that demand for services rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, when isolation increased risk and limited escape options for women living with abusers. She said that since then, the shelter has seen a continued need for its services and that funding remains a challenge.

In addition to the dance party and daytime fair, organizers are running a campaign called Rêve d’un Enfant, which aims to fund a full year of dance lessons for a child impacted by violence. Raffle prizes include a luxury package with a night at Château Cartier Hôtel & Resort and spa passes from Koena Spa.

Durand also expressed thanks to the many businesses that helped make the fundraising possible, particularly in support of Rêve d’un Enfant, the new initiative aiming to fund a full year of dance lessons for a child affected by domestic violence. She acknowledged strong support from dozens of businesses in Aylmer, especially along Rue Principale, who contributed services, products, and raffle items. Special thanks were extended to MG Construction, Koena Spa, Côté Santé, Château Cartier Hôtel & Resort, and the newly opened Clinique Santé Fede, as well as local restaurants, bakeries, and sponsors including Jimmie’s Pizza, which is celebrating its first anniversary this month. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who helps make these events a true celebration of life, wellness, and community spirit,” Durand said.

Tickets for Fiesta Latina are available at the door and in advance through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fiesta-latina-tickets-1671060048589. For inquiries about either event, contact organizer Sophie Durand at creationsophistique@gmail.com.