a prevention organization must close the books
After 35 years of activities in Pointe-aux-Trembles and Montreal East, school dropout prevention organization I succeed made the difficult decision to end its activities in the neighborhood.
“School perseverance is super important, and it was a really difficult decision to make. But we had no choice, ”laments Circé Labelle, vice-president of the board of directors of I succeed.
The decision to dissolve the organization was taken, among other things, because of the difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel. The pandemic has also exacerbated several challenges. This is without taking into account the departure of the organization’s executive director after 15 years of commitment.
“We were not able to recruit someone who has the expertise to take over the organization,” adds Ms. Labelle.
For Daniel Gratton, general manager of the Pointe-aux-Trembles Leisure Resources Society and member of the organization’s board, the loss of I’m successful “is not good for the community”.
“It’s very sad, but I know what the challenges were for the organization, especially after the pandemic. Despite all the good will, sometimes you come to the conclusion that unfortunately it can no longer work.
Securing succession
Je Réussis notably offered help with homework and family support. The organization also offered motivational activities and programs to support the development and learning of work methodology.
“The organization has developed a lot of training, tools, workshops. The next step will be to work on a plan to see how we can benefit from all these tools to the community,” says Ms. Labelle.
Partners have already indicated their interest in creating an action plan in this area. This could see the light of day by the fall, she adds.
School dropout at PAT/ME
According to data from the 2018-2019 report from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education published by the Montreal Success Network, the percentage of people aged 15 and over without a diploma in Pointe-aux-Trembles and Montreal-East was 23%, compared to 17% in Montreal.
Still according to the organization, the territory of PAT/ME is characterized by three major challenges: the non-valuation of education by parents, the increase in violence, as well as a vast and outlying territory, linked to transportation issues.
