Yvon Deschamps – Timeless | It’s the “still” that counts

“Oh no, not children! »

Yvon Deschamps launches this sentence in a falsely exasperated tone, to make people laugh, of course, as he poses for the photo, while a group of toddlers parade through the center which now bears his name.

With the humility for which he is known, it was certainly not he who wanted the center of the Association sportive et communautaire du Centre-Sud (ASCCS), located rue de la Visitation, to be called the Center Yvon Deschamps, even though he has devoted 40 years of his life to this place, which has been helping young people in the neighborhood since 1974. But we explained to him that for communications, it would be simpler, so he accepted.

People’s faces light up when they see Yvon Deschamps in person, and he often passes by here. This time it’s to promote the benefit show Yvon Deschamps – Timeless, which will be presented at the Casino de Montréal on September 19, with all proceeds going to the centre. Comedians like Lise Dion, Laurent Paquin, Martin Matte, Stéphane Rousseau or Maude Landry will take up the most famous monologues of the man who is referred to as the “father of humor in Quebec”. If tickets are expensive (it’s for a good cause), the show is offered via webcast for the sum of $30.

There are photos of Yvon Deschamps all over this center which is a neighborhood gem, with its library, gym, swimming pool and a host of activities and programs for young people. Adults enjoy this place just as much, where I was able to swim and take yoga classes at an unbeatable price.

But it took time before it became such a great place, and it couldn’t have happened without the involvement of Yvon Deschamps and his foundation.

It wasn’t easy at first to set up this center in a very tough neighborhood where there were a lot of social problems. “Hey mom it was tough ! he remembers. We even had to change the direction of the street because of the ladies of the night who were on the corner, because the guys were driving around all day! »

He bursts out laughing, that contagious laugh that we all know.

Commitment

But why this dedication to Centre-Sud when he is a little guy born in Saint-Henri? It was chance that decided. When his schedule permitted, he answered yes to requests. Over time, Yvon Deschamps lent a helping hand to Oxfam, Chaînon, Défi sportif, CHUM… He never ceased to be involved in his society. “I never thought one cause was better than another. All causes are good. I’ve done dozens of them, but there’s a couple where I hung on my feet longer. »

He is full of praise for Gaëtan Forcillo, co-founder of the ASCCS, the one who asked him in the 1980s to make the dream of this center come true. “I call that angels,” he said. Because nothing happens if there isn’t someone for whom it’s essential that it happens, who won’t be happy until it’s done. That’s how things happen. We sometimes hear that we cannot change the world. Maybe, but you can change the world around you. »

He lists, very proudly, all the achievements of the ASCCS. “We have a dozen programs for school perseverance. Before the pandemic, there were more than 100 young people a day for homework help, around 800 for the day camp. There are plenty of services here for the whole family and for newcomers. The other day at the library, I saw a Muslim lady with her three children, who found a warm, safe, pleasant place here. It’s a home away from home, a place where you feel loved and accepted. It is fabulous. »

Yvon Deschamps says that he began to “beg” for causes in 1970. He was deeply marked by his involvement in Le Chaînon, which helps women in difficulty. “It upset me, and probably that’s where it imprinted on me: you have to help. Individually, we have responsibilities and we must, if we can, help. »

At 87, he still can and he doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon.

Happiness

Yvon Deschamps suddenly interrupts the conversation.

“Look at the beautiful woman coming,” he said, looking out the window.

I turn around, telling myself that Yvon Deschamps isn’t the uncle type, and I see Judi Richards approaching bringing the coffees. And I laugh, of course. He greets it like this: You’re the best and you’re beautiful. “Judi has on the table beautiful cups where you can read “let’s love each other …”, and inside “… nevertheless”, according to the title of the famous song of the comedian.

” It’s the all the same which is important”, underlines Yvon, while Judi adds: “Yes, the Nevertheless. »

These two are so beautiful together, and have been for 55 years. “I’m still trying to seduce her, which is a job, he said. She takes me for her husband in bits! »

The secret of their love? “It’s to accept each other completely,” he replies, adding that it has not been a long calm river and that it took them 25 years to achieve this, because almost everything opposed them. .

Judi and Yvon form a power couple whose notoriety is entirely diverted to help others. When Yvon was uncomfortable with the money that was pouring in at the height of his success, Judi would tell him, “Give it away if you don’t want to keep it. I point out to him that during election campaigns, we never talk about poverty. Middle class and tax cuts, but not poor. ” Never ! “, he summarizes, but that does not make him a pessimist. “I tell myself that we got out of it, and that the young people will get out of it too. How ? I don’t know what they’ll do, but say what you want, life is getting better. Sometimes we go backwards, sometimes we go forward, but it always gets better. My grandfather had a 72-hour week and he was not entitled to holidays, my father had a 54-hour week and today it’s 35 hours. »

Anyway, he claims to vote “green” and his only criticism of young people is to find that they are not afraid enough of the environment to vote in this direction and influence the parties. “When you believe in something, you vote for what you believe in, you don’t vote strategically. I vote green and I’m old. I am one of those who have the project to change things so that global warming does not kill my grandchildren and that they can live in peace in a healthy environment. »

I look around us at the walls of the Center Yvon Deschamps. It is tangible. It is true that we can change things. Still and in spite of everything.

Yvon Deschamps – Timelessat the Casino de Montréal on September 19 at 7:30 p.m.