Former Habs Réjean Houle and the Douglas Institute Foundation Team up to Help Children

On Saturday April 18th at 10:00 a.m., Douglas Institute Foundation supporters and their family members and friends played a street hockey game coached by former Canadiens’ player, Réjean Houle, in Verdun’s George O’Reilly Park. We were honoured and delighted that Mr. Houle agreed to volunteer his time. His enthusiasm and love of the sport made the occasion very special. Mr. Houle is a resident of LaSalle and spends time cycling on the Douglas campus.

The Venne family, supporters of children’s mental health, attended the Douglas Foundation’s annual benefit on March 11th, and purchased this Street Hockey opportunity at the silent auction. The proceeds from this game will benefit children services and research at the Douglas Institute and The Canadiens Children’s Foundation.

The players in Saturday’s game represented three generations of Venne and Nolin families. According to Karine Venne, a chemist at the University of Montreal and one of four children in the third Venne generation, “Our grandfathers, Dr. Jean-Paul Venne and Dr. Gaetan Nolin, went to medical school together. Their children, my Dad and Dr. Nolin’s son grew up together, going to summer camp and celebrating all the big holidays together. Dr. Venne was a thoracic surgeon and Dr. Nolin was a pediatrician.” A deep bond between the two families developed. The family members still see each other Over the years the two families have become one extended family. Rivalry and friendship were palpable during the hockey game Saturday. Although the Nolin family won the hockey match, everyone had a great time and the newest Venne and Nolin generations are looking forward to playing street hockey again together with Mr. Houle next year.

The Douglas treats children of all ages for a variety of disorders such as sleep and behaviour problems, depression, anxiety, mood and eating disorders and attention deficit with or without hyperactivity (ADHD). Our teams of professionals care for these children and teenagers and do their best to ensure that their futures are filled with hope. Our clinicians and researchers have demonstrated that early diagnosis and treatment can give children a much greater chance to recover and lead healthy fulfilling lives.