It has been a year since the tragic train derailment impacted the community of Lac-Mégantic. Over the past year, the
Red Cross has helped the community recover by providing emergency assistance and support through a number of projects. Here are two stories from people who lived through the disaster and went on to help their community recover with the help of Red Cross:
Providing assistance to workers who have lost their jobs
Édith Laflamme lives on rue Dollard, close to downtown. On the night of July 6, 2013, she was awakened by the sound of her neighbour banging on her door. She hastily left her home, with her husband and son, and fled the flaming cauldron that had once been the downtown core of Lac-Mégantic. Laflamme was able to get back into her apartment the next day, but her job at Dollarama, which had been destroyed in the fire, has not reappeared to this day. That night, she lost much more than her job: she also lost close friends and acquaintances.
Red Cross help arrived at the right time for her and her family. Since she had been working at Dollarama for only a few weeks, she did not qualify for employment insurance, and since her husband had a job, temporary help through social assistance was not available. That was when a friend told her about the Red Cross. By the end of July, Laflamme had found a measure of relief through the Red Cross assistance program for workers.
“That first day, when they said they could help me, is something I will never forget. The volunteers took the time to listen to us, and they were all very sympathetic,” recalls Laflamme, in a voice filled with emotion. In the months that followed, Red Cross assistance proved indispensable for Laflamme and her family: “There are no words to express the gratitude we feel towards all the Red Cross employees, volunteers and donors.”
Laflamme realizes that there are still some clouds on the horizon, but she does not let it get her down. “In spite of everything, we tell ourselves that there are people who are even worse off than we are,” she says, determined to hold her head high as she faces the challenges ahead of her.
Providing support for entrepreneurs
Luce Robineau is from Montréal. She settled in the Lac-Mégantic area in 2004. In 2011, she decided to establish IDfolle, which translates roughly as “crazy idea”, a store, café and studio that was prospering until tragedy struck on July 6, 2013. Her business was located in the very heart of downtown, and was completely destroyed by the explosion.
The weeks that followed were very upsetting for Robineau. In a state of shock, she decided to take a time-out to think things over, take stock and rebuild her energy for the fall. A major undertaking had laid ahead: the relocation of her store.
Through a program created specifically to help Lac-Mégantic businesses affected by the disaster, she was able to devote herself fully to her new project.
“The Red Cross provided reassurance and a measure of financial security. I no longer had to worry about the long-term basic needs of myself and my family – in other words, how we were going to eat,” recalls Robineau, surveying her new business premises. Last April, her relocation project was accomplished when she opened her doors in premises on rue Laval.
“I feel very positive about the future of my business. The facade will be fixed in June, and the accommodation will open in July. I find the project extremely motivating, and I am quite proud of it. Despite the business climate in the town, which remains fragile, it is important for me to stay here and soldier on. Lac-Mégantic needs people to get back on its feet. There is no way we can forget what happened, nor should we. We have to keep going, look to the future and remain infinitely patient. Our only ally is time.”
For Robineau, help from the Red Cross signaled a turning point in terms of the resumption of her business. She is most grateful to the organization and to its donors.
“I am extremely grateful to the Red Cross. I understand now what its role is, and for me it is always an honour to spread the word about it. I was welcomed there in a very hospitable way; the people are dedicated and extremely kind. Many, many thanks.”
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