Blog

For 25 years, the YMCAs of Québec’s Alternative Suspension program has played a critical role in supporting academic success. With more than 25 sites throughout Québec as well as sites in Canada, Europe, and Australia, the program has been implemented in 70 communities around the world. It has thus contributed to helping 60,000 students persevere in school thanks to the support and commitment of our partners and teams.

Our vision for the future: to increase our presence, bringing the program to new municipalities and regions in Québec and reaching a total of 100 program sites throughout the world by 2030.

With the goal of offering the program in over 100 sites in Canada and abroad, it was crucial to choose a name that would better reflect what the program does and can be easily understood at the international level. Back on Track by the YMCA (Rebond par le YMCA) embodies this vision and the positive impact we aim to have.

A Stronger Commitment to Our mission and Values

Back on Track by the YMCA (Rebond par le YMCA) is more than a simple name change. It is an affirmation of our dedication to our mission—to inspire and encourage all people to reach their full potential, thrive, and contribute to their community. And our dedication to our values: caring, inclusion, solidarity, boldness, performance, and respect. We want our caring, positive approach, which is focused on taking initiative and school perseverance, to shine through. Through the program, a school suspension becomes an opportunity to get back on track and the new name reflects our commitment to transform school suspensions into positive experiences for high school students.

When we decided to change the name, we also considered other concerns, namely comments from partners, parents, users, and the teams who work with youth every day on the name’s bilingual nature and how it has different connotations in English and French, both here in Canada and internationally. Back on Track by the YMCA (Rebond par le YMCA) was chosen as it is more inclusive and relevant, regardless of where you are in the world. The name also reflects our prevention-, support-, reintegration-, and perseverance-based approach, moving away from any punitive connotation. 

A New Identity, A Transformative Intervention

“As society changes, so do we. The shift we’re taking with the new brand identity reflects the profound impact of the program, which offers youth who are veering off track the opportunity to take stock of their situation and go back to school with a new perspective. Proud of our track record and staying true to the program and its impact, we’re looking towards the future. Come fall, the program will shine brighter than ever.”   
– George Kalimeris, Executive Director of Development, Expertise and Partnerships, the YMCAs of Québec.

The Program in Numbers

In 2023–2024, more than 1,500 students in Québec completed the Back on Track by the YMCA program. Based on the results, we observed: 

• Behaviour severity decreased by an average of 27%
• Positive school engagement increased by 61 
• 67% of participants did not face repeat suspensions 
• 84% of participants understand the reason for their suspension better 
• Subsequent disciplinary measures decreased by 62%

The 25th Anniversary Celebration

On May 14, we celebrated the program’s 25th anniversary at the du Parc YMCA, with close to 100 people gathering to mark this important milestone.  

The goal of the event was to bring together the team and our government, educational, philanthropic, and community partners to celebrate this collective success, share our vision for the future, and present our new brand identity.