A dozen foundations from regional youth centers in Quebec believe that the change of name of their metropolitan counterpart – which no longer includes the term “Montreal” since November – misleads donors and undermines the equitable distribution of resources in Province.
Posted at 7:00 a.m.
“The donor is thereby misled, which represents an important ethical issue and risks harming the credibility and reputation of all foundations”, deplore 10 regional directors in an internal opinion obtained by The Press, sent at the end of April to the Fondation des jeunes de la DPJ (FDJDPJ).
The “Montreal Youth Center Foundation” changed its name and identity in November, in order to “express more concretely the mission and the strong impact” of its actions “on the lives of young people”. Everything was accompanied by a major communication campaign.
Although they recognize that the objective of having a broader scope in Quebec is “very laudable”, the regional directors nevertheless deplore that “the pretension of being a national foundation does not represent reality”.
No young Quebecer will come out a winner in a conflict or an unhealthy competition between our different foundations.
Directors of foundations of regional youth centers, in an internal opinion
Furthermore, “the choice of the FDJDPJ to place itself as a granting agency and [de] asking the 12 other foundations to apply for grants from it is an additional irritant which, once again, creates a mirage for the donor”, insist the regional directors. These come from Montérégie, Estrie, Laval, Laurentides, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Mauricie, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, Abitibi and Chaudière. -Appalachia.
On behalf of the public
The president of the Montérégie Youth Center Foundation, Martin Bélanger, says he wants to “clarify the situation” quickly. “If someone from Rimouski wants to give to Montreal, that’s fine and we encourage him, but if he wants to give to his region, he must also know where his money is going,” pleads he.
“It creates confusion. Already, on our side, we had to manage several requests from donors who are mixed,” adds Mr. Bélanger, who fears losing resources.
For me, young people from Montérégie or Estrie, and from everywhere in Quebec, should have the same rights and the same opportunities as those in Montreal. It’s just what we want.
Martin Bélanger, President of the Montérégie Youth Center Foundation
Martin Bélanger and his colleagues argue that the “negative impacts” of the situation have nevertheless “been clearly transmitted” to the FDJDPJ. They created in January a “voluntary grouping” of regional foundations, with the aim of increasing the pressure. “We really invite the Montreal section to join us, but on condition that everyone is on an equal footing,” said the principal concerned.
Make everyone shine?
At the FDJDPJ, the general manager, Fabienne Audette, denies wanting to monopolize more funds or powers. She says the name change was intended to provide more clarity to the public.
We realized that because we are in Montreal, with a solid turnover, a lot of media visibility, we could help not only young people from the city, but also those from other regions. But to get there, we needed a clearer, straight-to-the-point name.
Fabienne Audette, Executive Director of the Youth Foundation of the DPJ
“It basically needed more clarity to educate more people, raise more funds, and help more young people. That’s always been the goal, “says Mme Audette, saying, however, “hear” the demands of regional youth centers.
His group says it has identified “several possible solutions”. A correspondence was also sent Thursday to the regional directors. “We are ready, for example, to allocate additional seats to the regions on our allocation committee, which studies grant applications throughout Quebec. […] We never intended to do this alone, on our side. We want to promote all the youth centers in Quebec,” insists Ms.me Audetta. She also says she is willing to “simplify” the presentation of projects from the regions and to prepare various targeted messages on the web and on social networks to “bring out” the regional youth centers.
According to Jade Bourdages, professor at the School of Social Work at UQAM, the demands of the regional offices must be taken very seriously. “What the Laurent commission said is precisely to bring the organization of youth protection to a human scale, to non-centralized regional practices, to take into account the completely different realities on the territory”, she recalls.
“A word in a title can have a lot of implications in practice. These concerns must be heard, especially since the regions are often the poor children of subsidies, and in particular at the DPJ. At some point, it has to stop, ”says the professor.
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- “Autonomous” foundations
- In the office of the Minister for Health and Social Services, Lionel Carmant, we say we are aware of the file. However, it is indicated that the minister will not comment on the case. “The foundations are autonomous and we will not interfere,” replies the press attaché, Lambert Drainville.