The Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul de Montréal is proud to underline its 25 years of involvement with youth thanks to its Opération Bonne Mine program
Montreal, January 9, 2019– Since its establishment in Montréal in 1994, the Opération Bonne Mine program has supported more than the 55,000 children in order to encourage them to stay in school, because we believe that educational success is a springboard to life success!
The Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul’s Opération Bonne Mine program, established 25 years ago, encourages school success at the primary and secondary levels for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through concrete actions with families, in schools and in the community, the program allows children to live positive, inclusive and enriching experiences to develop their self-esteem, confidence and talents. To accomplish this, the program has adapted to the needs of young people to provide the support they need given their realities.
Today, almost 4000 young people annually receive a lending hand in one of the three phases of the program:
- Phase 1: Help at back-to-school time, to purchase supplies and for school fees
- Phase 2: Personal development and well-being through art therapy projects
- Phase 3: Recognition of efforts and talents through stay-in-school scholarships at a gala highlighting young artists. This diversified service offer allows us to act on several essential determinants for school success, as reported by publications of the Réseau Réussite Montréal: socio-economic setting, self-esteem, motivation, and recognition in support of students in difficulty.
But today, one young Montrealer in five (18%) still leaves school without obtaining a diploma. As long as the dropout rate stays this high, the Société de Saint‐Vincent de Paul de Montréal will continue to invest in youth, because if we want to break the cycle of poverty, we have to start by supporting our young people!
About the Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul de Montréal program
The Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul de Montréal offers help and individualized support to people whose income is insufficient to provide for their basic needs. In an effort filled with respect, the objective is to ensure the dignity, autonomy and integration of our clients by offering services adapted to their reality. Active since 1848 in Montreal, the Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul is an international organization present in 140 countries. Its volunteers are estimated to number 800,000.
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Contact: Communications coordinator - communication@ssvp-mtl.org