The Saint-Laurent Y centre
A community centre all about diversity
An astounding 166 different languages are spoken in Saint-Laurent borough.
One out of every two residents is an immigrant, the highest number in Montreal's
19 boroughs. Another distinguishing characteristic: the borough is home to
a higher than average number of seniors. Although it has existed since 1968,
and continues to thrive, the Saint-Laurent Y centre is always adapting to an
ever-changing community.
With the opening of the Cartierville Y centre in April 2010, the sports and
fitness activities of the Saint-Laurent Y centre were moved to the new Cartierville
Y centre located just 1.3 km from the Saint-Laurent Y centre. The Saint-Laurent
Y centre continues to offer neighbourhood residents community programs through The
YMCAs of Québec. Moreover, as of fall 2010, The YMCAs of Québec have partnered
with the borough of Saint-Laurent in order to ensure the continued existence of the
aquatic programming.
A neighbourhood approach for community programs
The Saint-Laurent Y centre works on a daily basis with its community partners. Its
neighbourhood approach makes it easier to respond to needs according to the specific
make-up of the community. In Saint-Laurent, citizen involvement is encouraged, based
on the values expressed in the national charter of human rights. The democratic
process is valued as a means of education and decision-making.
The Saint-Laurent Y centre offers community services to youth, families and seniors.
The centre has a hot meal program for students at an elementary school, and a service
that helps families, including a toy lending library where parents can borrow toys and
books for their children and above all, escape isolation. A Youth Zone, a daycare,
and several programs for seniors, including a safety call service, have also been
introduced.