The Atlas centre

A guide for children in need and their families.

Our history

In 2021, the Côte-des-Neiges social pediatrics centre changes its name to Atlas, inspired by a collection of maps. Like the world atlas, the centre is a welcoming place to care for and empower the borough’s children, who often have had to travel long distances with their families to reach their new communities.

1990

Dr. Gilles Julien works at the Côte-des-Neiges CLSC and receives an unconditional support from Jacques Lorion, the institution’s former director, to meet children in their various living environments (schools, homes, sports centre, park, etc.). He joins forces with Sylvie Nuckle, who worked as a district school speech pathologist at the time, to create Projet école et milieu en santé (PEMS).

2003

With the financial support of André Chagnon of the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation and the participation of Côte-des-Neiges community centre and Sylvie Nuckle, Dr. Julien creates the second community social paediatrics centre, with the assistance of Christiane Brunelle. The Centre de services préventifs à l’enfance (CSPE) is founded.

2010-2011

The CSPE joins the Fondation Dr Julien to create the core of community social pediatrics in Quebec, with the first center opened in the Hochelaga borough.

2017

Michel-Éric Fournelle purchases a bicentennial home in the neighbourhood to house the CSPE.

2019

The CSPE begins the process to regain its autonomy with the support of the Dr Julien Foundation and form the consortium of community social pediatrics.

2021

The CSPE rebrands itself as the Atlas centre.

Atlas and community social pediatrics

We are experts in social innovation to ensure an adaptive and effective response to emerging issues in the overall health of children in the community, all the while protecting children’s rights. Our goal consists in ensuring that these children have a safe and caring family and community network that allows them to thrive.

Atlas and community social pediatrics

A warm and welcoming place

The Atlas centre is located in a large, white Victorian home, formerly known as Maison Roy, in the Côte-des-Neiges borough. The Fiorito family had been living there since the 1950s. It was built in two parts: the rear section in 1823 and the front in 1890.

In 2017, Michel-Éric Fournelle bought the house from the last Fiorito sisters, who had put it up for sale, in order to renovate and adapt for our social pediatrics centre. Since November 5th, 2018, we have welcomed children in need in Côte-des-Neiges and their families in this warm and welcoming space.