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 centre welcomes, accompanies and guides people according to their needs, and facilitates their social integration.
Créée en 1992, La Boussole cultive la diversitĂ© de sa communautĂ© et sensibilise sur les dĂ©fis auxquels certains de ses membres sont confronté·es : pauvretĂ©, isolement social et/ou linguistique, addiction ou encore problèmes de santĂ© mentale.Â
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
OUR VALUES
Services & Activities
Social Services
Cultural & Community Activities
OUR TEAM
Mary
Directrice GénéraleMary
Arrivée à Vancouver il y a près de neuf ans. Déjà membre de l’équipe de La Boussole entre 2018 et 2021, elle revient aujourd’hui en tant que directrice générale. Sa connaissance approfondie de l’organisme et des réalités sociales du territoire constitue un véritable atout pour guider La Boussole. En dehors du travail, Mary est une grande amatrice de plein air : elle aime profiter de la nature, pratiquer diverses activités sportives et s’adonner à des activités créatives. Très attachée à la C.-B., elle y a trouvé un équilibre de vie qui lui ressemble.Alexandre
Directeur des OpérationsAlexandre
Installé à Vancouver depuis plusieurs années, Alexandre cumule plus de vingt ans d’expérience en innovation technologique, gestion de projets et transformation des organisations. Après un parcours entre Paris et Vancouver, il poursuit son engagement à la croisée de l’innovation, de l’humain et du développement communautaire. Très impliqué dans la communauté francophone, il contribue à des initiatives en éducation, inclusion et soutien aux familles. Passionné par l’intelligence artificielle et le leadership, il aime développer des projets qui renforcent les liens au sein des communautés locales.Camille
Cultural and Community Programs ManagerCamille
Arrivée à Vancouver en mars 2022 après une saison en tant que guide de chiens de traîneaux près de Victoriaville (Québec), Camille a rapidement intégré l’équipe de La Boussole. D'abord coordinatrice de projet, et ensuite gestionnaire des programmes culturels et communautaires. Après avoir débuté sa carrière dans l’hôtellerie, elle a ressenti le besoin de se tourner vers un organisme qui reflète ses valeurs et lui permet de s’épanouir pleinement. Passionnée par les animaux, en particulier les chiens, elle aime aussi partager de bons repas avec sa famille et ses amis.Massimo
Employment Services SpecialistMassimo
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.Tristan
Outreach WorkerTristan
Trained as a social and socio-cultural facilitator, Tristan has worked in a number of organizations dealing with access to rights, the fight against discrimination, and more particularly with health issues. It was while on vacation that he fell under the spell of the region and the city of Vancouver. He decided to move here from Bordeaux. Convinced of the importance of providing caring and inclusive support for French-speaking people, he naturally applied to work at La Boussole.Marion
Outreach WorkerMarion
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.Leila
Peer Outreach WorkerLeila
Ingénieure de formation, Leila a travaillé pendant 13 ans dans les agences digitales et les startups en région parisienne, au cœur de l’innovation. Son arrivée à Vancouver marque un tournant : après avoir bénéficié des services de La Boussole, elle choisit de se réorienter vers le milieu communautaire afin de soutenir les personnes qui en ont besoin. Passionnée d’écriture, de lecture, de nature et de voyage, elle aime relever de nouveaux défis et contribuer au bien-être de sa communauté.Junior
Settlement Services SpecialistJunior
After leaving Mozambique at the age of 8, Junior settled in Ottawa, where he spent the next 16 years of his life. He studied social work at Carleton University, where he obtained his bachelor's degree. His work experience with French-speaking communities, particularly in the settlement sector, has strengthened his commitment to helping newcomers integrate and participate in a thriving society. In his spare time, Junior enjoys reading, playing various sports, meeting new people and trying out new activities.François
Food Bank SupervisorFrançois Yves
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
Community AssistantJoseph
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.OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LILY CRIST
Chair
ANNABELLE GLAS
Vice President
SIMON CHICOINE
Treasurer
SOFIA LEMAY
Secretary
NOËLIE VANNIER
Advisor
PAULINE DELAVEAU
Advisor
GATIEN KAMGA FOSSOUO
Member Advisor
OUR SPACE
La Boussolehas its own space in the shared offices at 312 Main. The community centre 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.
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