About us
Who are we?
OUR MISSION
A story of fighting poverty among francophones in Greater Vancouver
La Boussole is a charitable organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged francophones in Greater Vancouver. Through a comprehensive range of services and activities, the community center welcomes, accompanies and guides people according to their needs, and facilitates their social integration.
Founded in 1992, La Boussole cultivates the diversity of its community and raises awareness of the challenges faced by some of its members: poverty, social and/or linguistic isolation, addiction or mental health problems. Our ambition is to bring the community together to help those who need it most, while reducing the stigma that weighs on them.
Our ambition is to bring the community together to help those who need it most, while reducing the stigma attached to them.
OUR HISTORY
La Boussole at a glance
Social Intervention
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OUR VALUES
Services & Activities
Social Services
At La Boussole, we offer a complete range of services in French to support you in your day-to-day life, according to your needs and desires.
Cultural & Community Activities
La Boussole offers a wide range of community activities to help you speak and learn French, and keep in touch with Francophones from all walks of life.
OUR TEAM
Richard HOJJAT
General ManagerRichard HOJJAT
Arriving in the Vancouver area in 2019 after more than fifteen years leading teams in France, Richard's inspiring and humane leadership style enables him to excel in uniting talents around projects with high social impact. Passionate about organizational development, human sciences and collective intelligence, he is convinced that organizations can transform lives. Sensitive to community and social issues, he joined La Boussole in November 2022 as General Manager, with the determination to create an inclusive and caring environment serving the most vulnerable.
Nathalie ASTRUC
Operations ManagerNathalie ASTRUC
Originally from La Réunion, Nathalie moved to Vancouver at the end of 2019 after an international career rich in diversified professional experience. Long involved in the fields of music, theater and literature, both locally and internationally, Nathalie first discovered La Boussole as a volunteer, before joining the organization to put her management skills and commitment to the community to good use as project coordinator and then manager of cultural and community programs.
Camille ESCANDE
Cultural and Community Programs ManagerCamille ESCANDE
Arriving in Vancouver in March 2022 after a season as a sled dog guide near Victoriaville, Quebec, Camille quickly became part of the La Boussole team. Starting out as a project coordinator, she went on to manage cultural and community programs. After starting her career in the hotel industry, Camille felt the need to turn to an organization that reflected her values and allowed her to develop fully. Passionate about animals, especially dogs, she also enjoys sharing good food with family and friends.
Malaury FABRE
Health and Social Services ManagerMalaury FABRE
In the summer of 2023, Malaury left the south of France for the calm and beautiful nature of Vancouver. Trained as a clinical psychologist, she began her career in palliative care, where she used all her human qualities to accompany patients and their families through the most difficult of times. Having brought with her her empathy, kindness and authenticity, it was while seeking to make a positive impact that she discovered the mission of La Boussole, which she eventually joined as a Social Worker and then as a Manager of Health and Social Services.
Massimo PASSALACQUA
Employment Services SpecialistMassimo PASSALACQUA
Massimo Passalacqua is an employment consultant. He comes from Belgium, where he studied social work. Before arriving in Vancouver, he was lucky enough to make a living from his passion as a musician.
Julia DAVID
Social workerJulia DAVID
Originally from the South of France, Julia discovered La Boussole in 2018 as a volunteer at the food bank and put her listening skills and empathy into practice. This 6-month experience was so revealing that she decided to change career direction. Back in Vancouver in 2023, Julia became a social worker at La Boussole. She loves getting out of her comfort zone and challenging herself, nature, travel and meditation.
Romain DESVAUX
Social workerRomain DESVAUX
Romain hails from Toulouse in southwest France. Aged 40 and the father of two little boys, Romain and his partner arrived in Vancouver in the summer of 2023. A specialized educator for some fifteen years in France, the adventure in the latitudes of the West Coast sounds like a new challenge. On arriving in Vancouver, Romain worked for several months in the daycare department of a French-language school, then in April 2024, joined the social services team at La Boussole. Outside of work, he can often be found in bluegrass and old-time music circles, banjo in hand.
Marion LANDEMAINE
Social workerMarion LANDEMAINE
Arriving in Vancouver in August, she quickly fell in love with the city. Prior to that, Marion spent five months traveling across Canada and the West Coast of the United States in a van, an incredible experience that allowed her to discover North America. In the course of her various professional lives, she has discovered that what drives her deeply is creating links and supporting the well-being of others. Today, she is fully involved in community initiatives, participating enthusiastically in projects designed to enrich collective life and encourage exchanges.
Head of Communications and Advocacy
François Yves LE DOUJET
Food Bank SupervisorFrançois Yves LE DOUJET
François comes from the lost lands of Brittany. After several years as an expatriate in Canada and Mexico, he decided to return to Vancouver in 2022 to set up his Menhir, to be reunited with his family and nature. He joins La Boussolle as a volunteer for a year before officially joining the team in 2024. On the days off, you'll find him restoring bikes or simply enjoying nature.
Joseph BEGIN
Community AssistantJoseph BEGIN
A native Canadian from Quebec's Eastern Townships, Jo arrived in Vancouver in 2010. Jo is passionate about social justice, the green economy and anything that contributes to building a better world. He has a colorful personality for whom sharing and empowering others is second nature. He arrived at La Boussole in June 2022 as a beneficiary, then joined the team as a contract worker in September 2022. He provides invaluable assistance to the food support program, as well as to the Ensemble eco-solidarity thrift shop.
Leila FAKIH
Helping PairLeila FAKIH
Trained as an engineer in the Paris region, she worked for 13 years in digital agencies and Internet startups, exploring innovation and the dynamics of cutting-edge companies. Her arrival in Vancouver marked the beginning of a new phase. After benefiting from La Boussole's services, she felt a deep call to reorient herself towards social and community services. This benevolent support confirmed her desire to help those in need. Passionate about writing, reading, nature and travel, Leila enjoys taking on new challenges and contributing to the well-being of her community.OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ELODY CROULLEBOIS
President
ANNABELLE GLAS
Vice President
MARIO BABIN
Treasurer
EMILY GEOFFROY
Secretary
SIMON CHICOINE
Advisor
FLORENCE LE DOUJET
Advisor
HÉLÈNE GAUTHIER
Advisor
LYSE GUAY
Advisor
NOËLLA NDAYIKEZA
Member Advisor
OUR SPACE
La Boussolehas its own space in the shared offices at 312 Main. The community center now boasts brand-new facilities in a pleasant, friendly and inclusive setting.
Proximity to public transport and accessibility for people with reduced mobility makes the space truly inclusive and facilitates everyone's participation in our our activities.