Stella, l'amie de Maimie
Stella, l'amie de Maimie (commonly referred to as Chez Stella) is a Montreal-based nonprofit organization, registered as a Canadian charity (Business Number: 899554646RR0001), established and operated by and for sex workers. Founded in 1995, the organization focuses on improving the quality of life and working conditions for women in the sex industry, including street-based workers, escorts, strippers, massage parlor workers, and others.

Mission and Activities

Stella’s primary mission is to advance the rights, safety, and dignity of sex workers through direct support, advocacy, and public education. Key initiatives include:

• Practical Support: Distribution of harm-reduction supplies such as condoms, naloxone kits, and fentanyl test strips; operation of a medical clinic tailored to sex workers’ needs.
• Advocacy: Campaigning against laws and policies that endanger sex workers, including criminalization, and promoting labor rights.
• Community Building: Hosting sociocultural events, educational workshops, and a monthly dinner to foster solidarity.
• Crisis Response: Maintaining a "bad client" list to warn workers about violent individuals and offering accompaniment services for legal or medical support.

Structure and Outreach

As a community-based organization, Stella emphasizes peer-led services, ensuring sex workers directly shape its programs. Outreach extends to incarcerated women, and its helpline provides confidential assistance. The organization also publishes resources to educate the public on the realities of sex work, countering stigma and misinformation.

Recognition

Stella has collaborated with over 50 feminist and anti-poverty organizations in Quebec and nationally. It has been instrumental in amplifying sex workers’ voices through events like Parole aux putes (2020), a storytelling initiative, and the Sex Work Activism in Canada book launch (2020), highlighting grassroots advocacy efforts.

Governance

Operating as a registered charity since its inception, Stella adheres to Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, ensuring transparency in its use of donor funds to support frontline services and advocacy. Its peer-driven model has been cited as a benchmark for sex worker-led initiatives globally.