BRAS

What BRAS does

BRAS Outaouais is a non-profit community organization (organisme communautaire à but non-lucratif) founded in 1990 and headquartered in Gatineau, Quebec. It operates exclusively in the Outaouais administrative region (Region 07), serving people living with HIV (PLHIV), people who use psychoactive substances, the HARSAH/MSM community, sex workers, women experiencing homelessness, and the general population through HIV/STBBI prevention, harm reduction, sexual health education, and community support services. The organization employs approximately 246 people and operates four fixed sites in Gatineau — its headquarters at 109 rue Wright, a supervised consumption site (SAC) at 194 rue Eddy, and two housing facilities (Maison des Oliviers with 7 rooms plus a transitional apartment, and Maison Ru'Elles with 6 rooms for 6–12 month stays) — supplemented by street workers deployed across all MRCs of the region (Hull, Gatineau, Petite-Nation, Maniwaki). All services are provided free of charge.

The organization's portfolio spans core HIV/STBBI prevention, supervised consumption, a Substance Verification Service using test strips, colorimetry and FTIR spectrometry, a multidisciplinary Community Health Centre, a community life and support program, specialized outreach (Travail de Rue, Entre Hommes, Projet Lilith mobile sex-worker outreach, Projet Euphorie festive-environment intervention), sexual health workshops, the Sex'info text-messaging service, and coalition-based policy advocacy via COCQ-SIDA, AIDQ, and Médecins du Monde Canada. The fixed SAC site has recorded approximately 10,200 visits with zero fatal overdoses since opening in 2022.

BRAS is funded primarily through Quebec government and CISSS de l'Outaouais grants, supplemented by Centraide Outaouais, Fondation québécoise du sida, charitable donations via CanadaHelps, and coalition partnerships. Revenue figures are not disclosed. Governance is provided by a 10-member Board of Directors (with seats reserved for PLHIV and an employee representative). A key strategic risk is Quebec Bill 103, which, without grandfathering amendments, could force relocation of the supervised consumption site at an estimated cost exceeding C$4.7 million.

Name

BRAS

Legal name

BRAS Outaouais

Website

https://lebras.qc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

BRAS Outaouais is a Gatineau-based non-profit community organization, founded in 1990, that delivers free HIV/STBBI prevention, supervised consumption, harm reduction, housing, and sexual health services across the Outaouais region to PLHIV, people who use substances, the HARSAH community, sex workers, and women experiencing homelessness.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health & Harm Reduction Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE), Behavioral Health & Substance Use Public Health Programs (BPAIAJAK), Sexual Health & STI/HIV Prevention Health Departments (HLAJAAAL)

Keywords

• Harm reduction services
• HIV prevention programs
• Supervised consumption site
• Community health outreach
• Sexual health education

Headquarters

HQ city

Gatineau

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Public Funding: BRAS Outaouais operates as a non-profit community organization funded primarily through government grants and public health funding from Quebec and federal sources to carry out HIV/STBBI prevention and harm reduction programs.
2. Donations: The organization accepts charitable donations through CanadaHelps.org platform, with public fundraising campaigns for supporting its community programs and services.
3. Coalition Advocacy and Policy Influence: BRAS Outaouais participates in provincial policy advocacy as part of coalitions (e.g., COCQ-SIDA, AIDQ) influencing health policy and funding allocation for harm reduction services in Quebec.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BRAS Outaouais is a non-profit community organization that delivers free, confidential HIV/STBBI prevention, harm reduction, and sexual health services to people living with HIV, people who use psychoactive substances, sex workers, the HARSAH/MSM community, and marginalized populations across the Outaouais region of Quebec. Its core offer includes a supervised consumption site, a substance verification service using FTIR spectrometry, sterile consumption equipment and naloxone distribution, transitional housing (Maison des Oliviers, Maison Ru'Elles), a community health centre, street outreach, and the Sex'info text-messaging information service.

Product overview

BRAS Outaouais operates as a community-based organization offering a coordinated portfolio of HIV prevention, harm reduction, and sexual health services across the Outaouais region. The service portfolio includes core prevention and support programs (Santé sexuelle, Soutien et vie communautaire), specialized outreach (Travail de Rue, Entre Hommes, Projet Lilith), supervised consumption facilities (Service d'Accompagnement à la Consommation, Service de vérification de substances), healthcare access (Centre de santé communautaire), educational workshops (Ateliers sur les ITSS, Euphorie), informational messaging (Sex'info), and housing support (Maison des Oliviers, Maison Ru'Elles). These services are designed to work together to provide comprehensive harm reduction, prevention, and support across different at-risk populations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Santé sexuelle (Sexual Health) Educational and preventive services covering HIV and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), including information resources, prevention materials, and screening referrals for the Outaouais population.
• Soutien et vie communautaire (Community Life & Support) Individual, marital, and family support services for people living with HIV (PLHIV), including medical appointment accompaniment, rights advocacy, medication and financial assistance, and community activities.
• Entre Hommes Health and well-being services targeting gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men (MSM/HARSAH), including outreach in frequented venues and online, peer-helper programs, social activities, prevention material distribution, and 'Vieillir gaiement' (aging well) programming. Includes dedicated HARSAH & diversity worker Jérémie Legault.
• Travail de Rue (Street Work) Street-based outreach services across all MRCs of Outaouais (Hull, Gatineau, Petite-Nation, Maniwaki), distributing prevention materials, sterile consumption equipment, and naloxone while providing support and referrals to marginalized populations.
• Service d'Accompagnement à la Consommation (Consumption Support Service / SAC) Supervised consumption site (SCS) providing a safe, adapted space for substance use via inhalation, injection, or other means, with personalized support to reduce HIV/STBBI transmission and fatal overdose risks. Operating hours: Sunday-Tuesday 11:00-18:00; Wednesday-Saturday 14:00-21:00.
• Service de vérification de substances (Substance Verification Service / SVS) Anonymous substance testing service using test strips (Fentanyl, Benzodiazepine, Xylazine detection), colorimetric reagents, and FTIR spectrometry to inform consumers about substance composition and reduce consumption risks. The FTIR spectrometer has a 5% detection limit and processes samples in 15-30 minutes, with the sample returned to the participant.
• Centre de santé communautaire (Community Health Centre) Multidisciplinary primary care clinic providing access to nurses, nurse practitioners, and doctors specializing in sexual health, addiction treatment, and general health through a low-threshold approach for underserved populations.
• Projet Lilith Pro-sex worker prevention project providing condom delivery, safe consumption kits, and mobile screening services to sex workers, with partnerships for violence prevention (CIASF/Stella, PIPQ) and adolescent outreach (SELFIE Project).
• Ateliers sur les ITSS et la sexualité (STBBI & Sexuality Workshops) Sexual education workshops for schools, professional, and community settings covering STBBIs, contraception, consent, safe behaviors, and harm reduction practices.
• Euphorie (Festive Environment Intervention) Party environment outreach project providing consumption materials, condoms, and information on STBBIs and safer practices at bars, festivals, and events in a non-judgmental manner.
• Messagerie Sex'info Free, confidential text messaging service (819-303-3737) allowing users to ask questions about sexuality and receive quick responses from trained staff.
• Maison des Oliviers Seven-room transitional and permanent housing facility for people living with HIV and/or undergoing HCV treatment, plus one transitional apartment, offering personalized support, social activities, medical appointment transportation, and quality meals.
• Maison Ru'Elles Six-room medium to long-term housing (6-12 months) for women experiencing homelessness or addiction, offering community and clinical support through a humanistic harm reduction approach, with community kitchen and clinical support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,200 visits to the supervised consumption site with zero fatal overdoses since opening in 2022
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• COCQ-SIDA (Coalition des organismes communautaires québécois de lutte contre le sida)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRAS Outaouais is a member of COCQ-SIDA, a provincial coalition of community organizations working on HIV/AIDS. COCQ-SIDA advocates for HIV policy at the provincial level, coordinates shared resources, and supports member organizations through collective advocacy and knowledge-sharing.
• Fondation québécoise du sida (FQSida)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fondation québécoise du sida is a provincial foundation supporting community organizations working in HIV prevention and support. BRAS Outaouais is listed as a partner on its website, indicating a collaborative relationship in funding, advocacy, and program coordination.
• Moisson OutaouaissupportingOthersMoisson Outaouais is a food bank and community material aid organization in the region. Listed as a partner, it likely provides food and material support to BRAS Outaouais programs such as Maison des Oliviers and Maison Ru'Elles.
• CIASF (Stella)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStella, l'amie de MAI (CIASF) is a Montreal-based organization advocating for sex workers' rights. The Lilith Project has a very close partnership with CIASF, collaborating on prevention outreach for sex workers in the Outaouais region.
• PIPQ (Projet 算法 inference de prostitution du Québec — possibly Regroupement des ressources et information pour les personnes prostituées)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIPQ appears to be a provincial resource organization related to sex work. The Lilith Project has very close partnerships with PIPQ for prevention services targeting sex workers.
• PIAMP (Programme d'intervention en amiante, possibly related to regional public health coordination)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIAMP is referenced as a close partner of the Lilith Project for sex worker outreach in the Outaouais region.
• SELFIE ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SELFIE Project focuses on prevention among adolescent girls. The Lilith Project participates actively in prevention work with the SELFIE Project, extending sex worker prevention outreach to younger populations.
• DépistaFest / Club SexusupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBRAS Outaouais is a partner of DépistaFest 2024, a province-wide STBBI screening awareness campaign organized by Club Sexu. BRAS supports the campaign's outreach and screening promotion activities.
• Médecins du Monde CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRAS Outaouais is part of a coalition led by Médecins du Monde Canada and the Association des intervenants en dépendance du Québec (AIDQ) to address Bill 103 on supervised consumption services. Médecins du Monde Canada highlights the essential role of supervised consumption sites in saving lives.
• AIDQ (Association des intervenants en dépendance du Québec)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIDQ represents addiction intervention professionals across Quebec. BRAS Outaouais participates in AIDQ-led coalition efforts to influence provincial harm reduction policy, particularly regarding Bill 103 on supervised consumption services.
• Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais (CISSS de l'Outaouais)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCISSS de l'Outaouais is the regional health authority. BRAS Outaouais collaborates with CISSS on health service delivery, screening referrals, and harm reduction programming, acting as a community gateway to the formal health system.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Maison du Père: Maison du Père is a long-standing Montreal non-profit providing shelter, housing, and reintegration services for men experiencing homelessness, including those with addiction. Its housing-plus-support model parallels BRAS's Maison des Oliviers and Maison Ru'Elles residential programs.
• CACTUS Montréal: CACTUS is a Montreal community organization offering supervised injection services, sterile equipment distribution, and outreach to people who use drugs. It is the most direct operating peer to BRAS Outaouais, with an identical harm-reduction service mix including a fixed supervised consumption site and mobile outreach.
• L'Anonyme: L'Anonyme is a Quebec harm-reduction organization providing sterile injection and inhalation equipment distribution, naloxone, and a mobile drug-checking service. Its equipment distribution and substance verification work directly mirror BRAS's material distribution and substance verification programs.
• RÉZO: RÉZO is a Montreal sexual-health organization serving gay, bisexual, and other MSM (HARSAH) communities with outreach, screening, and prevention services. It is the direct analogue of BRAS's Entre Hommes program within the same Quebec community-health ecosystem.
• MIELS-Québec: MIELS-Québec is a Quebec City HIV/AIDS community organization offering prevention, screening, psychosocial support, and housing (Hébergement l'Intervalle) — closely mirroring BRAS's Soutien et vie communautaire program and Maison des Oliviers housing model.
• Spectre de rue: Spectre de rue is a Montreal-based community organization providing street work, harm reduction, and supervised consumption services to marginalized populations. Its combination of outreach and consumption-site operations is structurally analogous to BRAS's Travail de Rue and SAC programs.
• AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO): ACO is a community-based HIV/AIDS service organization operating directly across the Ottawa River from BRAS Outaouais. It offers prevention, harm reduction, and support services to PLHIV and key populations, serving the same cross-border catchment in many cases.
• Dopamine: Dopamine is a Montreal harm-reduction organization focused on drug-checking, supervised consumption, and peer-led outreach. Its technology-forward approach to substance verification closely parallels BRAS's FTIR-based Substance Verification Service.

Others

• COCQ-SIDA: COCQ-SIDA is the provincial coalition of Quebec community organizations fighting HIV/AIDS, of which BRAS Outaouais is a core member. It is an ecosystem convener and policy advocate rather than a direct peer, providing BRAS with collective bargaining power on funding and policy.
• Médecins du Monde Canada: Médecins du Monde Canada is a coalition partner of BRAS Outaouais on Bill 103 and harm-reduction advocacy. It is an ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor, influencing the provincial policy and funding environment in which BRAS operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bras

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 BRAS