New Montreal residence for asylum seekers helps build bridges to those in need

After eleven months of planning, a new home for asylum seekers has officially opened in Montreal.

Called Le Pont,French for The Bridge,the rooms are located in thepresbyteryat Notre-Dame-des-VictoiresParish in the city's east end.

Montreal's Catholic diocesesays by helping newcomers get settled, it'sresponding to a need in the community.

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"As human beings, we're called to help each other, whatever our conditions, and find ways to build bridges between each other," said Christian Lpine, the Archbishop of Montreal.

Thousands of asylum seekers crossed the border last summer, although numbers have tapered off since then.

The Bridge is able to accommodate about 20 asylum seekers at a time, in several roomsset up especially for pregnant women and single mothers with young children.

Lpine said if there aren't enough asylum seekers to fill the rooms, others who need a place to stay will be welcomed.

Asylum seekers at the Bridge stay only until they find a more permanent place to live, but staff say they're welcome to visit anytime.

'We are all a family'

Soad Ali is an asylum seeker from Cairo. She and her two young daughters have been in Canada since September, and they're among the first residents at the home.

She said she feels the people there are trying their best to help the new arrivalsfeel at home.

"We cook for each other: no one cooks alone. Weeat together. Here we are all a family," she said.

Alessandra Santopadre, who is in charge of welcoming refugees and asylum seekers for the diocese, says it can be hectic but she loves being at the home.

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People of all nationalities are welcome. Signs inside the building are up in five languages, which can complicate communication, she said.

"We arrive to understand one another," Santopadre said. "I'm Italian, so I use a lot of my hands."