This morning, Dans la rue’s Day Centre welcomed Mathieu Lévesque, Minister Responsible for Youth and Minister Delegate for the Regions, as part of a press conference. On this occasion, the Government of Quebec announced an investment of more than $1 million to support 12 initiatives led by organizations serving vulnerable youth across Quebec.
“Our government wants to take concrete action where needs are greatest. By supporting projects led by organizations actively working in the field, we are providing young people with resources that can have a positive impact on their lives. These investments reflect our commitment to giving every young person the best possible conditions to thrive, reach their full potential, and look to the future with confidence.”
– Mathieu Lévesque, Minister Responsible for Youth and Minister Delegate for the Regions
As part of this announcement, ASPIRE (Personalized Accompaniment and Support for Integration, Resilience and Empowerment), a project initiated by Dans la rue, has received $94,500 in funding to continue and enhance its support for youth involved in the youth protection system. The project will provide direct interventions for 50 minors, helping them build greater stability and independence.
An Approach That Is Delivering Results
Implemented for the first time over the past year, the ASPIRE project aims to support youth who are currently or have previously been involved with the youth protection system and who face risk factors related to social exclusion, precarious living conditions, or homelessness.
Through a personalized approach and close collaboration with youth centres, rehabilitation centres, and various community partners, Dans la rue’s team was able to support 34 young people during the first phase of the project and aims to assist 50 youth during the second phase.
One of ASPIRE’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to create bridges between the various environments and services young people interact with, promoting continuity of care and support during important life transitions.
Preventing Homelessness Before It Happens
The first phase of the project also enabled us to reach young people before they experienced homelessness and to intervene proactively during periods of instability.
The Family and Natural Support approach, which promotes strengthening family relationships and natural support networks whenever possible, along with the mobilization of community resources around youth, also contributed to the project’s success.
Continuing to Support the Most Vulnerable Youth
This funding will allow our intervention team to continue this essential work with young people facing significant challenges as they transition into adulthood. In addition to providing individualized support, the project includes ongoing monitoring of youth situations, evaluation of transitions between services, and the maintenance of strong collaborations with all partners involved.
We would like to thank the Government of Quebec for its confidence in the expertise of community organizations that, every day, support vulnerable youth on their path toward a more stable and hopeful future.
The ASPIRE project is funded through the Government of Quebec’s 2025–2030 Youth Action Plan.
