2017

New YMCA TeenZone at Beurling Academy

The Lester B. Pearson School Board, Beurling Academy, Montreal Hooked on School and the YMCAs of Québec help youth in the Sud-Ouest realize their potential and succeed in school 

Montréal, March 28, 2017 – Today, the Lester B. Pearson School Board, Beurling Academy, Montreal Hooked on School and the YMCAs of Québec officially opened, in the presence of representatives of the borough, a new YMCA TeenZone in Beurling Academy, a high school that serves the Verdun and LaSalle neighbourhoods. Students will have a new place of their own where they can go on certain weekdays during lunch hour and after school, and on Saturday afternoons. Located in the same building as their school, the TeenZone will provide students with opportunities to be active, get homework help, socialize with other students and develop healthy habits.

“The YMCA TeenZone will have a significant impact on the lives of the many young people who will go there to have fun, learn or get advice, instead of hanging out on the street or in shopping malls. We have found that YMCA TeenZones are one of the best ways to reach out to 12- to 17-year-olds. Our TeenZones provide a safe and healthy environment with adult role models. They represent an important and innovative initiative in the prevention of isolation, physical inactivity, at-risk behaviour and school dropout,” said Stéphane Vaillancourt, President and CEO of the YMCAs of Québec.

“By welcoming the YMCA TeenZone into Beurling Academy and the Verdun community, we are providing our students more opportunities to enhance their education. They will have access to a UDL (Universal Design for Learning) space for their homework and sports facilities and training rooms for physical and health-related activities. School teachers and staff working alongside YMCA volunteers and other community resources in a truly collaborative effort will be present to support them. Our plan is to involve our fifth- and sixth-grade students from Verdun and Riverview elementary schools. They will have access to it, as we hope to provide a structured program that will help ease the elementary school students transition to high school and help them achieve, succeed and persevere,” said David Meloche, Regional Director from the Lester B. Pearson School Board. 

“Having a YMCA TeenZone within our school open to Beurling students at lunch hour, after school and on Saturdays is an asset to our school community and student support network. The TeenZone represents an ideal collaboration between school, home and community organizations to support our students,” added Alix Adrien, Principal of Beurling Academy.

“Young people who have a more positive view and a stronger sense of belonging to their school are more likely to ask for help when they need it, to stay motivated, to persevere and to succeed in school. We are proud to be a partner of this project,” said Andrée Mayer-Périard, Executive Director of Montreal Hooked on School.

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 34 service sites across the province are visited each year by more than 115,000 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: 

The YMCAs of Québec Foundation
Nathalie Viora, Manager, YMCA Campaign Communications
fondation@ymcaquebec.org

Lester B. Pearson School Board
Matthew Albert, Education Consultant 
514-422-3000, ext. 32643 / malbert03@lbpsb.qc.ca

Montreal Hooked on School
Virginie LeFrançois, Communications514-286-2346, ext. 211 / 514-817-1399 | vlefrancois@reseaureussitemontreal.ca

The YMCAs of Québec Newsletter