The Youth Foundation of the DPJ announces seven new projects for youth in the regions - including two in the Outaouais

Sonia Roy

Following a call for applications last April, the Youth Foundation of the DPJ has shared the official list of selected organizations that will soon receive financial support. This initiative, which totals close to $200,000, has become possible thanks to a new budget envelope made available for regional organizations that support young people in their journey towards adulthood. The organizations, which had until May 8, 2022 to submit their application for this project, are seven in number, including two in the Outaouais region: the Vallée Jeunesse Outaouais and its Belvedere shelter, as well as the Fondation Santé Gatineau and its project to support the qualification of young people, in collaboration with the CISSSO. The other organizations selected are the Maison Stéphane Fallu (from Porte ouverte sur l'avenir, or POSA, Source des Monts) in Montérégie, the Habitations l'Envolée in Laval, and the "L'essentiel vers ton indépendance" project of the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi of the MRC Deux-Montagnes (Laurentides), the support initiative for young people experiencing homelessness at Maison Marie-Frédérique, and the Appartements Laboratoires of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec.

The first project in the Outaouais region to receive funding from this new budget envelope is the Belvedere shelter, a voluntary transition house for youth aged 16 to 21 established by Vallée Jeunesse Outaouais, a non-profit community organization whose mission is to "prevent social and academic dropout by offering services adapted to Outaouais youth and their families. This residence, a transitional housing resource, aims at social integration, the achievement of objectives and the path to autonomy for those who live there. The second project in the Outaouais region that will receive financial support from the Youth Foundation of the DPJ is organized by the Fondation Santé Gatineau, whose mission is to "raise funds to have an impact on the well-being and health of the Outaouais community in partnership with the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de l'Outaouais. Named the Fonds persévérance et développement de compétences (perseverance and skills development fund), this financial assistance will be offered to youth from the DPJ living in precarious situations in order to give them access to the necessary resources for a more autonomous life in dignity.

Fabienne Audette, Executive Director of the Youth Foundation of the DPJ, mentioned in a press release that "More than twenty projects have been submitted. This success demonstrates the relevance of this fund set up by the Foundation to support regional initiatives. This response is a reminder that the needs are real for the youth of the DPJ, no matter where they are in Quebec.”. The journalist and lecturer Nancy Audet, sponsor of the Foundation, states in this same publication: "My work takes me to the four corners of Quebec. Everywhere I go, people ask me what more we can do for these young people who are suffering so much! This is an excellent example of an efficient, quick and relevant initiative! Donors' money is going directly to where it is needed and where their generosity will make a big difference!". Finally, Mr. Luc Villemaire, Executive Director of Vallée Jeunesse Outaouais, explained to the Bulletin what this news means for the Belvedere shelter and the youth of the region: "The Youth Foundation of the DPJ will allow us to add, at the beginning of the fall, an additional intervener to the team, mainly dedicated to the youth who come from the Youth Centres. In addition to responding to their basic needs, our accompaniment is geared towards their life choices, whether it be in terms of schooling and/or work integration".

Photo caption: Nancy Audet, sponsor of the DPJ Youth Foundation

Photo credit: Courtesy of the DPJ Youth Foundation & Arianne Bergeron