Thursday, February 26 2015 - Last week, The YMCAs of Québec launched I Count Mtl, a campaign to recruit 600 volunteers to carry out Montréal’s first homeless count. One week later, the goal was not only reached, but also greatly exceeded!
“Eight hundred (800) Montrealers have rallied together in record time. This kind of community support is very encouraging,” said Art Campbell, Director of Community Initiatives at the Downtown YMCA and head of volunteer recruitment and training.
“Thanks to our volunteers, we will better understand homelessness and help our most vulnerable citizens overcome it,” said Eric Latimer, Ph.D. and the Douglas Institute Research Centre’s lead researcher for the project to count the number of homeless people in Montréal on March 24 and James McGregor, co-director of the project.
Mandated by the city of Montréal as part of its action plan on homelessness, the project is led by the Douglas Institute’s Research Centre in collaboration with The YMCAs of Québec, Convercité, the Maison du Père, the Old Brewery Mission, the Accueil Bonneau, the Welcome Hall Mission, Projets Autochtones du Québec and many other partners.
For more information about the count, follow us on Facebook and Twitter at I COUNT MTL
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, Ski School, Residence, Camp YMCA Kanawana and its 43 service sites across the province are visited each year by more than 125,000 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 50 YMCA associations. For more information, visit ymcaquebec.org or our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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Media contact for volunteer recruitment:
Marie-José Le Blanc
Tel. : 514 706-4015
Email : Marie-Jose.Leblanc@ymcaquebec.org
Media contact for the count:
Stéphanie Lassonde
Tel. : 514 262-5211
Email : stephanie.lassonde@icloud.com