From left to right: Julie Moreau, Clinical Activity Specialist; Mathieu Bédard, Assistant Director, Rehabilitation, Delinquency and Youth Housing; André Lamontagne, Minister Responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region; François Gosselin, Executive Director, Ensoleilvent; Lionel Carmant, Minister Responsible for Social Services; Sébastien Schneeberger, Member for Drummond–Bois-Francs; Fabienne Audette, Managing Director of the Fondation des jeunes de la DPJ
Financed by the Fondation des jeunes de la DPJ as part of its support for regional initiatives, the apartment was born from the determination of educators in the Youth Qualification Program at CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec who sought to find housing options tailored to the needs of youths transitioning to adulthood. As the project was a real opportunity for youths in the care of the DYP, it quickly caught the interest of the Fondation as it saw an innovative project aligned with its mission to help youths become independent.
The Fondation got involved right from the start of the project, and is proud to have made this initiative possible with a financial contribution of $30,000 and by acting as the umbrella organization.
Collaborations such as these, uniting the Fondation, social services and organizations in the field, boost the impact we can have and wish to have on youths in the care of the DYP who need us to listen to them, to hear them, and especially mobilize for them.
The fully furnished, four-bedroom apartment is intended for youths whose lives have been marked by various traumas and about to leave a youth protection home. These youths are especially at risk for social isolation as many of them are quickly finding themselves facing a housing shortage and a lack of housing resources suited to their situation and their needs.
Under these conditions, Le Step will serve as a guardrail keeping the youths from a life of homelessness and profound housing insecurity. In addition to providing a safe and caring environment, it’s an opportunity for the young occupants to develop as fully-fledged citizens in that space. Their experience as a tenant in the experimental apartment is a great opportunity to spend time acquiring the critical skills needed for independent living.
This is an innovative project developed based on the needs of the youths by leveraging the expertise of local community organizations. We would also like to point out the commitment made by project partner and community organization Ensoleilvent. They work with young people on prevention and manage the apartment’s finances.