DPJ Youth Foundation Christmas Campaign: Every donation counts!

Sonia Roy

The Youth Foundation of the DPJ, an organization involved with Quebec's children, adolescents and young adults, is launching its Christmas campaign for 2022 under the theme "Carrying hope!” Through specialized programs (school support, family support, transition to adulthood), the Foundation contributes to the well-being of nearly 40,000 young people by adding their help to that already provided by the province. You can now participate in this contribution! 

Why give?

By donating (https://www.fondationjeunesdpj.ca), you are making a positive impact on the lives of young people who are trying to build a place for themselves and a future: "When you have experienced neglect, violence and abuse, it takes a lot of courage to believe in yourself, in your own worth,” explains Anaïs Favron, spokesperson for the organization, in a press release. “Our duty is to act for these young people! This is what the Foundation proposes: to dispel the feeling of powerlessness that we feel when faced with the distress of young people in the DPJ (youth protection) and to take action for them." As requests for help to the Foundation have increased due to the more recent difficulties experienced by young people (pandemic, housing crisis, lack of mental health resources), this campaign represents an opportunity to mobilize for the future of the most vulnerable people in Quebec: "No student should have to choose between building a future for himself or herself or dropping out of school to pay the rent,” adds Anaïs Favron. “No young person should have to say to themselves, 'I could probably do it, but I don't have anyone to help me succeed.’ The young people of the DPJ also have the right to dream of a future where everything is possible. The Foundation is there to meet their needs and remind them that they are not alone.” In a video filmed for the Foundation, the host says, “There is no such thing as a small donation, everything counts!"

The Youth Foundation of the DPJ in brief:

This year in Quebec, one in four young people benefited from the Foundation's help in their transition to adulthood. The Foundation was also able to offer twice as much food aid to families and young people under its wing as last year. Finally, in 2022, 36% of the Foundation's funds were directly invested in youth mental health support: "The devastating effects of the pandemic on young people and, in particular, on their mental health, forces us to roll up our sleeves and do more," said the Executive Director of the DPJ Youth Foundation, Fabienne Audette. She also noted that the demand for assistance continues to grow: "Every day, people call us to provide them with additional support to reduce their stress and anxiety, to offer them adapted therapies, etc. [...] The needs expressed to us are enormous and the urgency of responding to them is very real.”

Photo caption: Christmas campaign poster

Photo credit: Courtesy of the Youth Foundation of the DPJ