Centraide Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches kicked off its 2024 fundraising campaign on Wednesday morning. With the slogan “Every donation changes the game,” Centraide wants to play a leading role in supporting community organizations and vulnerable populations who live in a difficult socio-economic context.
The Victoria Social Club welcomed a good contingent of people representing the community, most of whom wore red sweaters, the colour of Centraide.
Despite the good mood, there are many concerns among community organizations, which have seen several situations worsen in recent years, marked by a pandemic and an inflationary crisis. Difficulties in accessing housing, the resurgence of homelessness and increased demands on food banks are among the situations highlighted by various stakeholders.
“I am worried because poverty is changing, it is manifesting itself in new forms. […] This situation, where economic, social and geographic insecurity intersect, creates new social challenges,” emphasizes Isabelle Genest, President and CEO of Centraide Québec, Chaudière-Appalaches and Bas-Saint-Laurent.
Despite these concerns, Ms. Genest still says she feels confident.
“I am confident that our social safety net will not let us down and that we are part of the solution,” emphasizing in passing that we must “recognize the true value of community groups.”
Moving testimony
Throughout the various speeches, one testimony left no one indifferent, and rather clouded the eyes of many.
Sabrina Hovington, a young woman who attends and lives at the Jacques-Cartier Residential and Community Centre in Saint-Roch, took to the microphone, demonstrating both her strength and her vulnerability.
Originally from Sherbrooke, she grew up in a family steeped in drug addiction and violence. A victim of physical and psychological abuse during her adolescence, she eventually left her dysfunctional environment. However, her first romantic relationship would also be marked by violence.
Other traumatic experiences mark her life’s journey, until she decides to follow her instinct and leave for Quebec. Sabrina then finds herself at the Hélène-Lacroix house, another women’s shelter in Sainte-Foy, which has done “an exceptional job”, in the eyes of the young woman.
“It wasn’t easy for me, this journey. In the end, I’m really proud of myself, because I achieved my goal of studying music. […] I put in the effort that was needed. […] She is one of the speakers there. [à la maison Hélène-Lacroix] who told me about the Jacques-Cartier Centre, because she herself used to go there,” remembers Sabrina.
She believes that her passion for music and the arts of all kinds allowed her to “not sink terribly into depression and post-traumatic shock.” At the Jacques-Cartier Centre, she created music.
“I felt welcomed for who I was. I also felt surrounded by people who were like me. And the training I did was great. […] I know that what I have learned there is priceless,” says the young woman.
His moving testimony was followed by loud applause in the room.
New donation of $10,000 for MP Étienne Grandmont
For the Taschereau MP and representative of Québec solidaire, “Centraide is doing an exceptional job of collecting donations for its fundraising campaign.”
” [C’est] money that will then go to the mission of organizations that work to ensure that our social safety net, in the greater Quebec and Chaudière-Appalaches region, continues to exist and continues to have tight enough mesh so that as few people as possible are missed,” emphasizes Étienne Grandmont.
For a second consecutive year, the MP is committed to donating $10,000 to Centraide. Last year, this choice was motivated in particular by the 30% increase in MP salaries granted by the Legault government, a choice decried by many, including Québec solidaire.
He also invites other members of parliament from Quebec and Chaudière-Appalaches to contribute to the Centraide campaign.
Étienne Grandmont is concerned about the current situation, denouncing that past governments and the current government have cut aid to the most vulnerable people.
“We have been on a downward slope, which is becoming increasingly slippery, for several years. Unfortunately, the government is not doing enough. That is why my political party, Québec solidaire, has been working hard, following the Legault government since 2018. […] But during this time, there are still people who are mobilizing, community organizations. […]”, adds MP Grandmont.
This also underlines that Centraide “funds by mission” and “recognizes the expertise of community groups.”
Photo credit: Simon Bélanger – Monquartier
Walk and invitation to donations
After the speeches, the group present in the room began a march through the surrounding streets of the Saint-Sauveur district, notably going to the offices of various community organizations.
Photo credit: Simon Bélanger – Monquartier
The public is invited to make donations to Centraide until the end of 2024. Isabelle Genest is leading the campaign, along with three co-chairs: Sophie Paquet, Senior Advisor in Wealth Management and Portfolio Management at National Bank Financial, Fanny Truchon, President of Creaform and Jean-François Chalifoux, President and CEO of Beneva.
Centraide Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches supports 225 community organizations and projects involved in the fight against poverty, exclusion and social inequality. One in five people uses the services offered by the various community organizations and projects supported by Centraide.
