Benjamin and Vanda Treiser Maison Shalom is a group home for individuals with special needs. Our two Montreal locations are committed to providing exceptional care and quality of life for our residents and their families as well as our respite users.



FMAILY TESTIMONIALS:

George Stern is the father of our Treiser Maison Shalom resident Richard Stern.

George has been a board member for 15 years and is very active in our fundraising activities. George is businessman with experience in management and attention to detail. George invites new and active Board Members to join us in this wonderful venture.

Maison Shalom is a Maison, a home, not a residence, for people with special needs. The feeling in the home is that of a family. The residents and the staff all look after each other.



Sheila Superstein, mother of resident Andrew

How thrilled I was when I gave birth to my beautiful son in 1973, a little playmate for my 3-year-old daughter. As the months went by, his very easy-going demeanor and his inability to make babbling sounds were becoming issues of concern to me. Finally, after convincing my pediatrician to have him tested by a neurologist, I got the verdict that no parent wants to hear: my sweet son was indeed severely intellectually disabled and also had a seizure disorder that would be difficult to treat.

Coming to terms with that diagnosis took some time. I had to accept the fact that all my hopes and dreams for my son's future would now be severely compromised, but I was determined to devote my life to his care, happiness and protection. In fact, my mantra foolishly was that I would live to be 120, he would live to 90, and then we would "go" together. I simply could not imagine any other option. It was a challenge every day to care for his many needs but I was resolved to do so.

But then, as they say, life and reality got in the way. My son was approaching 32 years of age and had been hospitalized numerous times because of his seizure disorder. One of the medications he was given to help stop the seizures caused his personality to change. He became fearful of everything around him, even affecting his ability to sleep! I also had my own health issues at the time but did very little to address them.

My daughter, in her wisdom, after observing the situation, knew she had to intervene. Without my knowledge, she began to do research to see if a Jewish home existed that could meet the needs of her brother as well as my own, so that I could have some respite. Enter Treiser Maison Shalom.

When she went to visit the home, her eyes filled with tears seeing the expert care, kindness, and love the clients received from the staff. This was the home she could envision her little brother living in! It took some time, but she eventually managed to convince me to let him sleep over for one night… which became 1 weekend… which slowly became his new home away from home. I was seeing a miracle in the works!

Fast forward to the present — my son has now been living at Treiser Maison Shalom for 25 years. I never in my wildest dreams thought that my son and I could separate from each other and that he would be okay. In fact, he is more than okay. He is thriving. All his needs are being met beautifully by the caring and devoted staff and I finally "have a life" as well.

Little did I know at the time that I would soon be faced with a life-threatening illness requiring a long hospitalization. What would I have done without Treiser Maison Shalom? It's too scary to even think about!

Throughout the following years, I can delight in saying that all of Andrew’s many needs have been met by the most capable, loving and devoted staff!



Judy and Harry Zimlichman, parents of resident Chaim

Maison Shalom has been providing us —Chaim’s parents — with a peace of mind throughout the twenty-four years that our son Chaim has been living there. They have accommodated Chaim to enable him to continue practicing his religious observance while living in the group home.
The staff have been very caring and loving, while also teaching Chaim daily living skills, and social skills. He feels safe, and secure with the staff being present 24/7.

The staff work above the call of duty, dedicated, and they create a family-like atmosphere within the home. During every birthday celebration, and every holiday there is excitement in the air. The residents are like true family members with each other.

Especially, during the last year of the Covid-19 crisis, the staff gave their all to protect our children from getting sick. Wearing protective gear was a major effort for everyone in the home. Some staff stayed in the home 24/7 just to protect the residents.

Members of the community around the group home are warm and welcoming towards our residents. Chaim loves to interact with the neighbors and their children, through the back yard during the COVID year.