Frequently Asked Questions
AWISH (Arthritis West Island Self Help Association) is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization established in 1987 in Dorval, Quebec. We provide reliable information, education and support programs for arthritis sufferers and their caregivers by way of specially adapted exercise classes, support groups, socials, outreach, presentations, speaker events, a Living with Arthritis management course, a quarterly newsletter and a variety of tip sheets.
Working with community partners, we augment local health services and professional practitioners. We are people who have been through the physical and emotional toll of living with arthritic conditions and are motivated to provide ideas and solutions responding to important concerns about managing one’s personal well-being with these diseases.
AWISH (Arthritis West Island Self Help Association) is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization established in 1987 in Dorval, Quebec. We provide reliable information, education and support programs for arthritis sufferers and their caregivers by way of specially adapted exercise classes, support groups, socials, outreach, presentations, speaker events, a Living with Arthritis management course, a quarterly newsletter and a variety of tip sheets.
Working with community partners, we augment local health services and professional practitioners. We are people who have been through the physical and emotional toll of living with arthritic conditions and are motivated to provide ideas and solutions responding to important concerns about managing one’s personal well-being with these diseases.
Yes. Registered Charity #: 890558893 RR0001.
Our services are currently offered in both French and English, and AWISH aims to maintain bilingualism in its services. Most activities are offered in both languages.
The degree of difficulty and the pace of the exercises make them suitable not only for people with arthritis, but also for anyone who wants to maintain their mobility and flexibility.
The exercise sessions are held face-to-face, but AWISH also has online videos where anyone can, without leaving the comfort of their own home, follow the live instructions and demonstrations of an experienced instructor.
AWISH can help you to organise an activity. Send us your request by email to arthritis@awishmontreal.org.Please specify the purpose and provide your coordinate so we can contact you. Fees may apply.
AWISH can help you to organize an activity. Send us your request by email to arthritis@awishmontreal.org. Please specify the purpose and provide your coordinates so we can contact you. Fees may apply.
Click on Services where this information is detailed for the current season. The activities are presented either face-to-face (health guidelines permitting) or online, or bimodal (online and face-to-face simultaneously).
Our office is in Dorval and we mainly serve the West Island agglomeration but we remain attentive to all requests from surrounding and even outside areas, depending on the needs expressed and our resources.
AWISH also aims to offer its services in neighbouring municipalities to the West Island, depending on demand and our resources.
AWISH works with other organizations and businesses to provide wellness conferences and workshops to clients or members of these organizations or businesses. For example, we collaborate with the Beaconsfield library and the Chartwell Residence. If you are interested, please send your requests by email to arthritis@awishmontreal.org specifying the subject of your request and your contact details so that we can reach you.
AWISH works with other organizations and businesses to provide wellness conferences and workshops to clients or members of these organizations or businesses. For example, we collaborate with the Beaconsfield library and the Chartwell Residence. If you are interested, please send your requests by email to arthritis@awishmontreal.org specifying the subject of your request and your contact details so that we can reach you.
We would be pleased to receive any suggestions or comments you may have at arthritis@awishmontreal.org or at 514-631-3288.
AWISH’s services are of course intended for people who suffer from the disease, but also for all those who accompany them on their journey and who play a very important helping role. AWISH shares its experience with these natural caregivers.
Thinking of volunteering with AWISH?
Please email us at arthritis@awishmontreal.org or call at 514-631-3288.
Financial Questions
Our funds mostly come from private and public donations, membership fees, activity fees and government grants.
Our funds mostly come from private and public donations, membership fees, activity fees and government grants.
The funds are used by AWISH to carry out its mission and to offer all the services and activities required to meet the needs of people living with arthritis and their caregivers on the West Island – at the lowest cost possible.
Yes. For donations over $5. AWISH is registered as a charitable organization with the Canada Revenue Agency. Our Registered Charity number is 890558893RR0001. We are not permitted by Canada Revenue to provide tax receipts for Membership payment.
- by Interac or e-transfer
You can make an e-transfer donation to AWISH by creating a new contact in the Interac/e-transfer section of your online banking account. The email address is arthritis@awishmontreal.org (automatic deposit).
Then make an online donation by clicking on your bank e-transfer or clicking here.
2. by Canada Helps
Simply Click here
Make the cheque payable to AWISH West Island and mail it to AWISH 640 Lakeshore, Suite 103, Dorval Qc H9S 2B6
Please do not forget to add your postal address if it is not already written on the cheque
Make the cheque payable to AWISH West Island and mail it to AWISH 640 Lakeshore, Suite 103, Dorval Qc H9S 2B6
Please do not forget to add your postal address if it is not already written on the cheque.
Yes! To learn more about naming AWISH in your will please contact us at 514-631-3288. “Planned giving” is creating a charitable gift now that goes to the organization you love in the future, usually when you die. It takes some thought and preparation, and you should consult a lawyer and your financial planner about it and identify the gift in your will – which is a testimony to your life and values.
A gift in your will lets you make the gift of a lifetime to a cause you believe in.
How does it benefit AWISH?
AWISH struggles each year to financially support its current programs, launch new ones, renew equipment and materials, or take on something promising but untried. When we receive a gift through a Will, we can use that gift for something special or save and invest the gift so that the yearly interest goes on supporting programs.
Anyone can make a bequest. The amount doesn’t matter – but supporting a cause you cherish, leaving a legacy of values as well as financial disbursements, matters a lot. It’s one of the most important things you can do to build the world you’d like to see.
Yes! To learn more about making a gift of proceeds of securities/gifts of stock, please contact us at 514-631-3288. AWISH accepts gifts of securities via Canada Helps.
Main benefits are:
- Eliminating Capital Gains: a tax-effective way to donate
- Instant Tax Receipts
You’ll need to:
- Fill in an online securities donation form, which will be confirmed back by email
- Complete a letter of direction to your financial advisor to authorize transfer of shares
- Once sold, Canada helps sends you a confirmation email with your charitable tax receipt and disburses the proceeds to AWISH.
There is a minor service charge taken out of the overall amount donated to AWISH. You can view more on the Canada Helps website or can contact them for more information by email: here.