S.O.S. Grossesse was founded in 1974 by women in the community who wanted to make up for the lack of services for women experiencing a pregnancy, whether planned or unplanned. In March 1974, thirty-six women and one man were recruited from an intensive training course. Fourteen people start listening on the following June 25.

For the first six months of its existence, the service operated with no money, in premises made available by Centraide, with the services of a part-time manager on loan from Actions 24, and with a telephone line paid for by an anonymous donor. The service runs for four hours a day, five days a week. From the outset, the emphasis is on the anonymity of callers and the sense of self-sacrifice on the part of volunteers.

To meet needs in subsequent years, we decided to offer callers the opportunity to meet with a counsellor to deepen their reflection, while maintaining confidentiality. This principle of confidentiality, along with the improvement of our services and the working conditions of our volunteers, was the focus of all our concerns and actions at the time.

The 80s – A constant evolution

In 1987, listening at home became possible for volunteers. Already, after just a few months of operation, the new service has produced the following results: better telephone service, fewer lost calls, greater volunteer involvement in terms of listening hours and commitments met.

Over the years, a number of complementary services have been modified. In addition, you can meet with a social worker and take a free pregnancy test. An accompaniment service for pregnant women was then available, but was later withdrawn to focus more on our primary mission.

The 90s – More and more prevention and promotion

In the 90s, the managers were managing a fast-growing department. Sexuality and contraception, particularly among young people, are becoming major concerns for S.O.S Grossesse. This task has become self-evident, as callers are increasingly younger and the pregnancy rate in the region has not decreased over the years.

Prevention and promotion are at the heart of the organization’s actions, helping to raise its profile. S.O.S. Grossesse advocates better information and positive sexuality. The organization is increasingly working upstream on the issue of unplanned pregnancy, in concert with various community partners.

The 2000s – Broadening horizons

With the new millennium, S.O.S. Grossesse has reached a level of maturity that enables it to broaden its vision and scope of action.

S.O.S. Grossesse and MIELS-Québec create the Action-condoms committee (Condom Québec). They are teaming up with the Régional des maisons de jeunes de Québec to offer better access to condoms and promotion/prevention activities in Quebec City-area youth centers. The aim of this committee is to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) among young people aged 12 to 17.

In addition, a perinatal bereavement support project, in partnership with the Les Accompagnantes collective, has been added to the organization’s activities. This service has two complementary components:

• The “Les Perséides” support group, which meets once a month, run by the Les Accompagnantes collective, in collaboration with S.O.S. Grossesse;
• Individual and couple intervention, offered by S.O.S. Grossesse.

2010 to 2020: Innovation, prevention and commitment: A decade of transformations serving the community

The 2010s marked a major turning point for S.O.S. Grossesse. The organization is adapting to an ever-changing world, focusing on digital technology and strengthening its commitment to reproductive rights.

• Digital transformation: The introduction of new technological tools, such as a modernized telephone system and increased presence on social networks, has improved communication and broadened access to services. The chat intervention service has also been introduced!
• Development of the prevention axis: a dedicated position has been created for a specialist to focus exclusively on prevention in schools. This includes a project targeting 18-25 year-olds.
• Enhancing the value of volunteering: Volunteering remains at the heart of S.O.S. Grossesse’s work. New initiatives have been put in place to recognize and support the commitment of volunteers, such as ongoing training, social activities and increased representation within the organization. A volunteer manager position has also been created to provide support to volunteers.