Several associations, youth organizations and employability centers in Saint-Léonard joined forces for a community event to bring together young Léonardois and promote their services to them.
Sports, music and games were on the program on Thursday August 12 around the basketball court in Hébert Park.
Many young people attended this event which extended from 3 p.m. until the park closed at around 11 p.m.
Born from the initiative of youth worker Robenson Raphael and artist Prime 3D, this event aimed to bring young people together around sports and musical activities on the occasion of International Youth Day.
“Sport and music are themes that bring people together a lot, they are two very powerful mediums. What could be better than doing a day around them to bring young people to meet and get to know us? ”Explains Robenson Raphael, says Robbie.
The latter works for the “Départ @ 9” section within the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi. Horizon Career. He stressed that the objective of last Thursday’s activity was above all to establish a bond of trust to help get to know and meet the needs of young people in the sector.
“It’s a day where everyone is together, we discuss, we play and we spend a moment under the sign of conviviality. We also want to publicize the services offered to young people in Saint-Léonard, and learn about their needs. ”
L’Horizon Carrière youth worker Robbie Raphael, as well as artists Prime 3D and K8, have all decided to call on Saint-Léonard youth organizations to create this event. (Photo: David Flotat / Metro Media)
Unity is strength
Among the other organizations, several stakeholders from La Zone and YMCA of Quebec were also present on site.
“I work at the YMCA and we collaborate with Horizon Carrière to offer the youth space called“ the Zone ”. Since the pandemic, we have had a decrease in our activities, but it will resume at the start of the school year. We are therefore trying to make ourselves known, ”shares Ronan Dubois.
Stakeholders and staff from several Saint-Léonard youth organizations were present on site tor meet young people from Léonard. (Photo: David Flotat / Metro Media)
Retailers in the sector such as the Prixmium fruit store, the Pita & Pizza bakery and Ô Dépanneur have also decided to get their hands dirty by providing food and drinks for the participants on site. Gift certificates and various prizes to be won were also given to the organizers by Physiofix and the Baked by Bella pastry shop, in order to attract as many young people as possible.
A positive message
After the violent incidents that have occurred in recent weeks in east Montreal, it was important according to Prime 3D to organize such a day to promote a positive message to young people.
“This kind of initiative is necessary to show young people that there are people in the community who come together to do something positive. Of course, some sad things have happened recently, and young people are exposed to it. It is also important to convey a positive message to counterbalance all of this and occupy them in a healthy way, ”believes the musician.
In the continuity of this “Basket & Pizza” day, the organizations and partners present have already arranged to meet the young people for another gathering of the same type. This time it will be held on the edge of the Delorme Park soccer field, on August 26, from 3 p.m.
