2016

The Canada Post Community Foundation and the YMCAs of Québec Team Up to Encourage At-Risk Montréal Youth to Stay in School

Montréal, December 1, 2016 – A partnership was announced today between the Canada Post Community Foundation and the YMCAs of Québec’s YMCA Alternative Suspension program, which, thanks to a financial commitment of $20,000, will allow 180 at-risk Montréal youth who have been suspended from school to visit vocational training centres.

“The support of the Canada Post Community Foundation will allow young program participants, during the 2016-2017 school year, to discover models of success that are alternatives to traditional career paths, giving them a chance to turn their time away from school into a positive experience,” said Stéphane Vaillancourt, President and CEO of YMCAs of Québec. “We are happy that the Foundation has shown such confidence in our organization’s ability to help young people develop their strengths and realize their potential.”  

Support from the Community Foundation will go towards a program component that is often overlooked when working with at-risk youth: promoting rewarding careers. Many careers and fields of work will be presented to participants throughout the 20 scheduled visits, such as building trades, line work, elevator repair and institutional cooking. Visits to vocational training centres will help the program increase the success of its participants, who sometimes only need to have their potential recognized.

“We are proud of our employees and retirees who have devoted numerous hours to raising awareness and funds,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO, Canada Post. “The Canada Post Community Foundation aims to help community groups that strive to improve the lives of children in communities across Canada.”

In the 2015-2016 school year, 973 students were referred to the YMCA Alternative Suspension program by partner high schools in Montréal. In fact, an evaluation of the program has shown that 8 in 10 participants improve their behaviour in the medium term and half maintain good habits all through the school year.  

Learn More About the Canada Post Community Foundation

The Canada Post Community Foundation’s vision is to ensure every child in Canada is happy, healthy and surrounded by a community that supports and cares for them. Its mission is to is to make a positive impact in the lives of children in the communities Canada Post serves by supporting registered charities, school programs or local initiatives that benefit children. To date, the Foundation has granted more than $4 million to more than 300 community organizations across Canada. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit https://www.canadapost.ca/web/en/pages/aboutus/communityfoundation/default.page.

About the YMCAs of Québec 

The YMCAs of Québec is a charitable organization that builds stronger communities by providing opportunities for everyone to lead fulfilling, active, healthy and engaged lives. Its 10 YMCA centres, International Language School, Residence, Camp YMCA Kanawana and its 40 service sites across the province are visited each year by more than 120,000 people. The first YMCA in North America was founded in Montréal in November 1851. The YMCAs of Québec is part of the Canadian network of 48 YMCA associations. For more information, visit ymcaquebec.org or our Facebook and Twitter pages.

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For more information, please contact:  
Nathalie Viora
Manager, YMCA Campaign Communications - YMCAs of Québec Foundation
fondation@ymcaquebec.org

The YMCAs of Québec Newsletter