Quebec, Septembre 2021

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Lionel Carmant, today announced an investment of $1 million per year for three years to support the development of a youth mentoring project for youth aged 16 to 21. This support will be provided by volunteers from the Grands Frères Grandes Sœurs du Québec association.

The objective of this project is to create meaningful and critical relationships between youth and mentors that will unlock the full potential of youth and equip them for their transition into adulthood.

An initiative is currently being developed in the Montreal area. The announced support will allow the project to be rolled out gradually across all regions of Quebec over the next three years. Youth targeted by the Matching and Mentoring program have received or continue to receive Youth Protection services, and often have a history of placement.

At the end of the provincial deployment, scheduled for 2024, between 430 and 530 places will be available annually for pairings.

Citation :

” The transition to adulthood and independence is a challenging time for all adolescents. For young people who have been helped by youth protection services, this challenge is even greater. The 16-21 Mentorat project is a wonderful initiative that will allow many young people to develop healthy and safe relationships of trust with adult volunteers and prepare positively for their transition into adulthood. I thank Big Brothers and Big Sisters for their commitment to young people and for working together to make this inspiring project happen.”  – Lionel Carmant, Minister of Health and Social Services

Highlights:

By creating a meaningful relationship between a youth and their mentor, the 16-21 year old Mentorat project aims to:

Foster emotional and social skills development;
Improve executive function development;
Improving mental health, well-being and overall development;
Increase school and social involvement.

Note that one of the recommendations of the report of the Special Commission on the Rights of Children and the Protection of Youth, tabled last May, is to support the transition to adult life of young people in difficulty, In particular, by promoting social support for young people through the funding of a peer-helping programme.