Latest news with #Beaudry
CBC
27-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Montreal archdiocese launches not-for-profit real estate arm aimed at maximizing social impact
As Montreal grapples with growing homelessness, the Catholic archdiocese in the city is forming a new real estate arm that it says will help ensure any redevelopment of church properties addresses "pressing community needs." The creation of the Roman Catholic Real Estate Corp. of Montreal, announced Thursday, is the first non-profit subsidiary created by a Catholic archdiocese "to leverage real estate development as a tool for community benefit" and heritage preservation, the church says in a news release. With congregations dwindling and buildings aging, pastoral work is becoming more challenging, Archbishop Christian Lepine said in an interview Wednesday inside Montreal's Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. Earlier this month, the left-leaning opposition party Québec Solidaire called on the Coalition Avenir Québec government to look to underused or empty church spaces to help fight Montreal's homelessness crisis. Lepine said churches have always been willing "to offer space, to offer room," in times of crisis, and there are already churches that are welcoming homeless people. Some parishes have converted buildings that formerly housed clergy into social housing, he noted, but churches are only part of the solution. "We cannot do that alone," he said. "It's also with the city involved, with organizations." The Catholic Church in Montreal includes about 180 parishes, said Stefano Marrone, who currently oversees church real estate and will run the new non-profit arm. Marrone is helping parishes with redevelopment or real estate projects. The goal, he said, is to work with different levels of government and other potential partners "so that any development is going to have social impact for the community." Robert Beaudry, the Montreal executive committee member responsible for fighting homelessness, noted there's already a long history of the church serving as a haven for vulnerable people. "There are a number of community groups that started in church basements, soup kitchens too," he said in a phone interview. "Remembering where community action in Quebec was born, it was in church basements." Beaudry said church buildings are usually located in the heart of their communities and are often sold at prices that make them attractive for repurposing. But he noted that some have been poorly maintained, and many would need extensive renovations, including additional washrooms, universal access and emergency exits, if they were to become shelters. WATCH | Towering churches sit empty across Montreal. How can they be used? What does the future hold for Montreal's empty churches? 2 years ago Duration 6:03 Beaudry said the need for housing and shelter is so great that governments need to evaluate all options on the table, including churches and any unused government buildings, to see if they can help address the crisis. "It's not an option without its challenges, but it's an option that deserves to be explored," he said. Social acceptability and cohabitation issues at play Those challenges can go beyond building codes. Recently, the city and province paid around $2.5 million to purchase a former church in the Rosemont neighbourhood to help serve the needs of vulnerable people. Even before a formal announcement was made, the news drew strong community opposition to the idea of the building serving as a homeless shelter. Beaudry said social acceptability is at the heart of every project, but he acknowledged it can be hard to reach when opposition and media attention start even before a project is defined. Mario Beauchamp, social pastoral agent in the city's Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood, believes churches are a last-ditch solution. "For some churches that are about to close, sure, but for those that are fully in use with lots of parishioners, it's another thing. There's the issue of social cohabitation at play," Beauchamp said. One of the churches in his parish, St. Pascal Baylon, was used for a few winters as an overnight warming centre, ending in 2023. It was run by a local community organization, providing food and shelter to a few dozen people a night. "There was no question of renting that space year-round because the church had some concerns," Beauchamp said. He said there were a few incidents of damage or vandalism stemming from the shelter.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Montreal archdiocese launches real estate arm aimed at maximizing social impact
MONTREAL — As Montreal grapples with growing homelessness, the Catholic archdiocese in the city is forming a new real estate arm that it says will help ensure any redevelopment of church properties addresses "pressing community needs." The creation of the Roman Catholic Real Estate Corp. of Montreal, announced Thursday, is the first non-profit subsidiary created by a Catholic archdiocese "to leverage real estate development as a tool for community benefit" and heritage preservation, the church says in a news release. With congregations dwindling and buildings aging, pastoral work is becoming more challenging, Archbishop Christian Lépine said in an interview Wednesday inside Montreal's Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. Earlier this month, the left-leaning opposition party Québec solidaire called on the Coalition Avenir Québec government to look to underused or empty church spaces to help fight Montreal's homelessness crisis. Lépine said churches have always been willing "to offer space, to offer room,' in times of crisis, and there are already churches that are welcoming homeless people. Some parishes have converted buildings that formerly housed clergy into social housing, he noted, but churches are only part of the solution. 'We cannot do that alone," he said. "It's also with the city involved, with organizations." The Catholic Church in Montreal includes about 180 parishes, said Stefano Marrone, who currently oversees church real estate and will run the new non-profit arm. Marrone is helping parishes with redevelopment or real estate projects. The goal, he said, is to work with different levels of government and other potential partners "so that any development is going to have social impact for the community." Robert Beaudry, the Montreal executive committee member responsible for fighting homelessness, noted there's already a long history of the church serving as a haven for vulnerable people. 'There are a number of community groups that started in church basements, soup kitchens too,' he said in a phone interview. 'Remembering where community action in Quebec was born, it was in church basements.' Beaudry said church buildings are usually located in the heart of their communities and are often sold at prices that make them attractive for repurposing. But he noted that some have been poorly maintained, and many would need extensive renovations, including additional washrooms, universal access and emergency exits, if they were to become shelters. Beaudry said the need for housing and shelter is so great that governments need to evaluate all options on the table, including churches and any unused government buildings, to see if they can help address the crisis. 'It's not an option without its challenges, but it's an option that deserves to be explored,' he said. Those challenges can go beyond building codes. Recently, the city and province paid around $2.5 million to purchase a former church in the Rosemont neighbourhood to help serve the needs of vulnerable people. Even before a formal announcement was made, the news drew strong community opposition to the idea of the building serving as a homeless shelter. Beaudry said social acceptability is at the heart of every project, but he acknowledged it can be hard to reach when opposition and media attention start even before a project is defined. Mario Beauchamp, social pastoral agent in the city's Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood, believes churches are a last-ditch solution. "For some churches that are about to close, sure, but for those that are fully in use with lots of parishioners, it's another thing. There's the issue of social cohabitation at play," Beauchamp said. One of the churches in his parish, St. Pascal Baylon, was used for a few winters as an overnight warming centre, ending in 2023. It was run by a local community organization, providing food and shelter to a few dozen people a night. "There was no question of renting that space year-round because the church had some concerns," Beauchamp said. He said there were a few incidents of damage or vandalism stemming from the shelter. "That said, there were good moments and the church was happy to do its part and help people who needed it, but there are less good moments too," he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2025. Sidhartha Banerjee and Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of vandalizing Bridgewater State University with neo-Nazi propaganda stickers
A man is facing criminal charges after investigators say he vandalized Bridgewater State University with neo-Nazi propaganda stickers. Michael Beaudry, 32, of Bridgewater, was arraigned Monday in Brockton District Court on charges of vandalizing property and tagging property, according to Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf. Bridgewater State University police launched a vandalism investigation on March 3 after discovering neo-Nazi stickers placed on a bus stop and in a parking lot in the area of Railroad Drive and Spring Street, both of which are campus-owned properties. A review of surveillance video in the area revealed the driver of a 'distinct' white pickup truck exit the vehicle on the morning of March 1 and affix the stickers on the plexiglass of the bus stop before giving a Nazi salute, according to the DA's office. Investigators later identified Beaudry and obtained a search warrant for his truck. That search is said to have yielded various antisemitic and white nationalist stickers. Beaudry was wearing the same clothing seen in the surveillance video days earlier and in possesion of Hitler Youth knife with a swastika on the handle at the time of his arrest, the DA's office said. Beaudry was ordered held on $2,500 bail with the conditions he wear a GPS monitoring bracelet, stay away and have no contact with the campus, and surrender all firearms. He is due back in court on April 1. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Boston Globe
11-03-2025
- Boston Globe
Man charged with allegedly putting neo-Nazi propaganda stickers on bus stop at Bridgewater State University
Campus police started an investigation last week, after neo-Nazi stickers were reported near a bus stop, in the area of Railroad Drive, and the Spring Street parking lot, prosecutors said. Video from the campus security system captured Beaudry getting out of a 'distinct' white pickup truck and allegedly put stickers on the plexiglass of the bus stop on March 1, at about 7:36 a.m., prosecutors said. He then took a picture of the sticker with his cell phone. Advertisement He was also seen on camera allegedly giving a Nazi salute after posting one sticker, prosecutors said. State Police and Bridgewater police worked with the school to investigate the incident. A search warrant was obtained to search Beaudry's truck, prosecutors said. Officers allegedly found various antisemitic and white nationalist stickers inside the truck, according to the statement. The officers also seized Beaudry's phone as evidence. A personal search of Beaudry turned up more antisemitic Neo-Nazi and white nationalist stickers, prosecutors said. They also found a Hitler Youth knife with a swastika on the handle. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 1. Adam Sennott can be reached at
Associated Press
13-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
USOSM Expands Best-in-Class Network of Premier Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
IRVING, Texas, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. Oral Surgery Management ( USOSM) is pleased to announce new partnerships with three premier oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) practices – two in California and one in Pennsylvania. They are Beaudry Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Camp Hill, PA; Kern Oral & Facial Surgery & Rejuvenating Beauty of Bakersfield, CA; and Rancho Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Murrieta and Hemet, CA. 'We're excited to continue our growth momentum with the addition of three new partner practices and we're honored to announce our newest surgeon partners are Dr. Beaudry, Dr. Esla and Dr. Pulsipher,' said USOSM President and CEO Richard Hall. 'All three doctors have well established reputations for clinical excellence and professional leadership – qualities that we value highly. We look forward to supporting the continued growth of their practices and their commitment to high quality patient care.' About the new partners: Located in Camp Hill, PA, Beaudry Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is led by Robert J. Beaudry, DMD. Dr. Beaudry offers a full scope of OMS procedures, with particular expertise in dental implant surgery, wisdom tooth removal and corrective jaw surgery. Dr. Beaudry earned his DMD from the Washington University School of Dental Medicine with a special award in prosthetic dentistry and completed his OMS training through The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Beaudry is a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He has more than 30 years of experience treating patients, has presented OMS lectures across the nation, and has served as an advisor for the development of synthetic TMJ joints, OMS instruments and reconstructive plates. Led by Alan Esla, DDS, MD, Kern Oral & Facial Surgery & Rejuvenating Beauty offers a full scope of OMS, such as dentoalveolar, reconstructive and corrective jaw surgery, as well as a wide variety of rejuvenating beauty services. A board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with more than 20 years of experience treating patients, Dr. Esla earned his bachelor's degree from California State University Northridge and his DDS and MD from the UCLA School of Dentistry. In addition, he completed a general surgery internship and an OMS residency through the UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Esla currently serves as a general anesthesia examiner for the Dental Board of California and is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association and the Kern County Dental Society, where he is a past president. Rancho Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery has one location in Murrieta, CA, and another location in Hemet, CA. Accredited as an office-based surgery center by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Rancho Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is led by Allen Pulsipher, DDS, MD, FACS. Dr. Pulsipher offers a full scope of OMS services, with an emphasis on dental implants, including anterior aesthetic implants, soft tissue reconstruction, bone grafting, bone reconstruction and full-mouth restoration. Dr. Pulsipher earned his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, his DDS from Baylor College of Dentistry, and his MD from UT Southwestern. In addition, he has completed OMS, general surgery, and anesthesia training, and he is a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Dr. Pulsipher is a fellow of both the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons, president of Inland Facial Trauma Surgery, and founder and director of the Mount Palomar Study Club. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, USOSM sets the standard for oral and maxillofacial surgery management. A management services organization spanning 28 states, USOSM has built a best-in-class network of premier oral and maxillofacial surgeon partners. USOSM provides operational, financial and administrative support services to fuel clinical excellence, innovation and wealth-creation. Visit: Robin Stevens 469-242-0475
