Meet Petites-Mains is a Montréal-based non-profit and social integration enterprise that’s been quietly transforming lives for over 30 years. At the heart of this organization is a mission to empower immigrant women facing barriers to employment and inclusion through training, language classes, hands-on work experience, and wraparound support services. Their goal? Dignity, autonomy, and long-term stability for every woman who walks through their doors.
Senior Advisor Katy Howick has been part of this journey since 2012, bringing a deep commitment to equity and a belief in meeting people where they are. Under her leadership and alongside a dedicated team, Petites-Mains has evolved and expanded, doubling its staff, opening an on-site daycare, and adapting boldly during the COVID-19 pandemic to serve the community in new ways.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Petites-Mains is a non-profit organization and social integration enterprise based in Montréal that supports women—primarily immigrant women—in situations of precarity or social isolation. We offer training, employment programs, and language classes, along with wraparound services that support their social and professional integration. Our goal is to foster dignity, autonomy, and inclusion through concrete opportunities for growth and connection.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Many immigrant women in Québec face multiple and intersecting barriers to social and professional integration—language challenges, a lack of local work experience, social isolation, and systemic discrimination. Petites-Mains works to address these structural inequalities by creating inclusive, empowering pathways to employment, community connection, and long-term stability.
When did you start/join it?
I joined Petites-Mains in 2012 as a social support worker. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to grow within the organization and take on various roles across departments, eventually stepping into my current position as Senior Advisor.
What made you want to get involved?
A feminist at heart, I’ve always been drawn to women’s causes, as well as work that centers dignity, equity, and human connection. What drew me to Petites-Mains was its deeply human, holistic approach—recognizing the complexity of each woman’s story and situation, and creating personalized, flexible paths forward. We don’t shy away from the grey zones; we’re empowered to meet people where they are, with care, creativity, and respect.
What was the situation like when you started?
When I started in 2012, Petites-Mains was already well-established, but it was much smaller in scale. The team was tight-knit and deeply committed, but many of the systems, programs, and partnerships were still in early stages or evolving. There was a sense of momentum, a strong mission, and a lot of heart—but also room to grow, build, and professionalize different aspects of the organization.
How has it changed since?
As the needs of the community have evolved, we’ve evolved with them. Petites-Mains is in constant evaluation of its programs and services to ensure we’re addressing the real, often shifting barriers faced by our participants. In 2018, we opened a subsidized daycare on-site to better support mothers balancing training and caregiving. When COVID hit, we quickly pivoted our sewing shop to produce masks and hospital gowns, and our catering team stepped up to prepare meals and snacks for unhoused individuals temporarily sheltered in hotels by the City of Montréal.
Over the past four years, we’ve doubled our staff, significantly increasing our capacity to support women on their journey. We’ve also embraced technology to improve internal processes, renovated our building to better serve our participants, and led an inclusive rebranding process—just in time for our 30th anniversary this year.
What more needs to be done?
While we’ve made important progress, there is still so much to do. Many of the barriers immigrant women face are deeply systemic—racism, language discrimination, lack of recognition of international credentials, and limited access to affordable housing and childcare. These challenges can’t be solved by one organization alone. We need continued investment in long-term, person-centred solutions and stronger collaboration between community groups, public institutions, and policymakers.
At the same time, we’re living in a moment where progress is under threat. The rights of immigrant and refugee populations are being eroded, services for asylum seekers are severely lacking, and louder voices in the community are pushing back against inclusion and promoting hate. At Petites-Mains, we stand firmly in our mission. We will continue to advocate, to adapt, and to build spaces of dignity and belonging—no matter the climate.
How can our readers help?
There are many ways to get involved, no matter your background or capacity. You can support Petites-Mains by visiting our café, ordering from our catering team, or purchasing from our sewing workshop—each purchase contributes directly to our mission and supports the women in our programs. The meals and textile items are prepared by participants in our training programs, meaning your support also provides them with meaningful, hands-on work experience. You can also reach out to us if they are interested in hiring our programme grads. We work with dozens of local businesses to help them find the right candidates for their jobs. Volunteering your time or skills is another meaningful way to connect with our work. You can also follow us, share our initiatives, and help amplify the voices of the women we work with. And of course, if you’re able, making a donation is always appreciated and helps us sustain and grow our impact.
Do you have any events coming up?
Yes! As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, we’ll be hosting several events throughout the year. Details will be shared soon on our website and social media, including opportunities to visit our space, meet our team, and discover the incredible work being done by the women in our programs.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
We’d love to spotlight the Collectif des entreprises d’insertion du Québec, a network of 45 social integration enterprises across the province. Each one supports people in vulnerable situations through hands-on training and meaningful employment, while offering a wide range of products and services—from food to furniture to fashion. We’re proud to be part of this powerful collective.
