La Maison des enfants

What La Maison des enfants does

La Maison des enfants le Dauphin (La MED) is a registered charitable community organization founded in 1995 in Chomedey, Laval, Quebec, by Stéphanie Leblanc, who served as Executive Director for 26 years before transitioning to Strategic Advisor in June 2021; Chantale Gignac, with the organization since 2002, now leads it. The organization operates a 'living space' (milieu de vie) model delivering free programs to children aged 0-12 and their families, including drop-in programming (Le Refuge du Dauphin for ages 6-12, Les Poissons Gigotent for ages 3-5), academic support (Mes études en folie), confidential child correspondence (Confidences à un Dauphin, reaching 17,000 students and processing over 12,000 letters annually across 37 partner Laval elementary schools), parent-child bonding activities (Les Matins sans chagrin, Le Par la main), summer programming (Les Coccinelles en Vacances), weekend family services at Bibliothèque Multiculturelle (Les dimanches en famille), and a bilingual digital platform for ages 6-12 (Zone 6-12). Technology is limited to a WordPress-based web presence and standard analytics; no proprietary software or platform architecture is disclosed.

The organization's revenue model is non-commercial: services are provided free to families, with the annual budget funded primarily through government grants (Centraide Montréal, Ministère de la Famille du Québec, Santé Canada via the PACE program, Ville de Laval, Emploi-Québec) supplemented by corporate/foundation sponsorships (Desjardins, Home Depot Canada Foundation, Lions Club de Laval) and individual donations, with donations documented at approximately 20% of the annual budget. Its go-to-market motion is community-led: families access services directly at the main 799 Rue Loranger location or through school and library partnerships, with word-of-mouth and partner referrals driving participation. The organization was recognized in 2023 by the Fédération québécoise des organismes communautaires Famille (FQOCF) for its 'Développer le plaisir d'apprendre' approach.

Name

La Maison des enfants

Legal name

Maison des Enfants le Dauphin, de Laval

Website

https://maisondesenfants.qc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

La Maison des enfants le Dauphin is a registered non-profit community organization founded in 1995 in Laval, Quebec, offering free drop-in, academic, and parent-child programs to children aged 0-12 and their families through a main Chomedey location, 37 partner elementary schools, and a digital platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Family Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Early Childhood Development (ECD) & Pre-Primary Education (BPADAKAB), Immigrant/Integration Language Programs (ESL/ESOL, Civics-Integrated) (EDAMAFAK), Play-Based SEL & Executive Function Skill-Building Programs (EDACAOAB)

Keywords

• Community family services
• After-school youth programs
• Early childhood development
• Family support services
• Nonprofit community organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Laval

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations form essential financing for operations, representing close to 20% of total annual budget. Organization can issue tax receipts as a registered charity. Corporate sponsorships available through fundraising campaigns.
2. Fundraising Campaigns: Annual fundraising campaigns such as 'Les ballons bleus virtuels du Dauphin'. Corporate partners organize spaghetti suppers and 'jean Fridays' to raise funds.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

La Maison des Enfants le Dauphin is a nonprofit community organization that delivers after-school drop-in programming, early childhood activities, academic support, parent-child bonding activities, a confidential child-support mail service, and a summer program for children aged 0-12 and their families in Laval, Quebec. Services are provided free of charge across partner schools and community venues, with a particular focus on supporting immigrant families in the Chomedey area.

Product overview

La Maison des enfants le Dauphin operates as a community organization offering a portfolio of integrated programs and services for children ages 0-12 and their families in Laval, Quebec. The core offerings include drop-in programs (Le Refuge du Dauphin for ages 6-12, Les Poissons Gigotent for ages 3-5), academic support (Mes études en folie), confidential mail services (Confidences à un Dauphin), parent-child bonding activities (Les Matins sans chagrin, Le Par la main), and summer programming (Les Coccinnelles en Vacances). These programs are complemented by a digital platform (Zone 6-12 website) and weekend family activities (Les dimanches en famille). The organization emphasizes a 'Développer le plaisir d'apprendre' (Developing the joy of learning) approach recognized by the Fédération québécoise des organismes communautaires Famille. The 'Aider à Grandir' (Help to Grow) philosophy underpins all services, supporting academic success, childhood accompaniment, and immigrant family integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Le Refuge du Dauphin (after-school drop-in) Free after-school drop-in programming for children aged 6-12 in Laval, providing a safe living space to decompress, do homework, and socialize. Delivered through school partnerships across 37 Laval schools.
• Les Poissons Gigotent (early childhood group) Free group activities for children aged 3-5 supporting early childhood development, language stimulation, and socialization through themed workshops.
• Les Matins sans chagrin (parent-child activities) Free parent-child activity program designed to strengthen the parent-child bond through shared morning activities for families with young children.
• Le Par la main (parent-child activities) Free parent-child activity program supporting bonding and engagement between parents and their young children, delivered as part of the organization's family services.
• Mes études en folie (academic support) Free academic support service helping children aged 6-12 with homework, study habits, and learning skills as part of the organization's after-school programming.
• Confidences à un Dauphin (confidential mail service) Free confidential mail-based support service for children across Quebec who write in to share concerns or questions and receive personalized letters, books, and resources from the organization.
• Les Coccinnelles en Vacances (summer program) Free summer program providing structured activities for children during school break, complementing the organization's year-round family and youth services.
• Les dimanches en famille (Sunday family activities) Free Sunday family activity program providing shared experiences for parents and children to strengthen family bonds and community connection.
• Zone 6-12 (digital platform) Digital platform created for children aged 6-12, providing age-appropriate online content, activities, and resources aligned with the organization's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17,000 students reached annually through 37 schools
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, important and minor.

• Bibliothèque Multiculturelle de LavalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue for 'Les dimanches en famille' activity, providing space for families to connect with MED intervention workers outside the main location
• Ville de LavalimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner; MED participates in JIDE (Journée internationale des droits de l'Enfant) in collaboration with City of Laval
• YMCA QuébecminorOthersCommunity partner organization supporting family services in Quebec
• Emploi-QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial employment services partner supporting workforce integration programs
• Kino-QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial physical activity promotion partner

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Regroupement des CPE-BS (Centres de la petite enfance): Quebec network of early childhood daycare centres serving the 0–5 cohort with developmental programming — directly comparable for the Les Poissons Gigotent / Les Coccinelles en Vacances programs and the broader ECE service model.
• Fédération québécoise des organismes communautaires Famille (FQOCF): Provincial federation representing Quebec family community organizations; relevant as the body that recognized La Maison des enfants' innovative practice and as a comparable umbrella/community-support entity.
• Centraide (United Way) Greater Montreal: Large community-funder and convener supporting a portfolio of family and youth organizations in Greater Montreal — directly relevant as both a funder of La Maison des enfants and a peer in the family-support ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada: Charity providing mentorship and developmental support for children and youth across Canada; comparable as a community-funded nonprofit focused on child/youth wellbeing and social-emotional outcomes.
• YMCA Québec: Federation of YMCAs across Quebec delivering community-based programs for children, youth, and families — directly comparable in target population, program breadth, and community-funding model, and an active partnership counterparty for La Maison des enfants.
• Boys and Girls Club of Canada: National nonprofit network providing after-school drop-in, homework help, and youth development programming — highly comparable in core service design (drop-in living space, academic support) for the 6–12 age cohort.

Others

• Avenir d'enfants: Quebec foundation historically funding early childhood development and family community organizations; comparable as an ecosystem participant and former funding channel rather than as a direct service peer.

Regional players

• Maison de la famille de Trois-Rivières: Regional Quebec family community organization offering drop-in programs, parent support, and early-childhood activities — directly comparable in service mix to La Maison des enfants but serving a different Quebec region.
• Carrefour familial Hochelaga: Community family organization in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough of Montreal offering drop-in, parent-child, and family support services — comparable as a Montreal-area 'organisme communautaire Famille' serving a similar mandate.

Emerging players

• Federation CJA (Centre Cummings): Montreal-based community agency providing family, youth, and social services including newcomer integration — comparable in its immigrant-family support and school-linked youth services mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lamaisondesenfants

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about La Maison des enfants