Growing plants, and youth

Something promised, something due: the promoter Alexandre Forgues gave, at the end of October, more than $ 33,000 to the community organization L’Ancre des Jeunes, which encourages school perseverance in the Verdun district. A sum that will be used, among other things, to set up workshops around urban agriculture.

Danielle Bonneau
Press

Long before the construction of the Origine Habitation durable complex in Verdun, Alexandre Forgues wanted the building to blend in with its surroundings. In 2017, before obtaining his permit, the promoter established bridges with the citizens of the district, by carrying out a consultation. He then pledged to donate approximately $ 30,000 to L’Ancre des Jeunes, which encourages perseverance in school and is rooted in Verdun. With construction now complete, he kept his promise at the end of October by presenting a check for $ 33,075 to the nonprofit.

The association with L’Ancre des Jeunes could give rise to other interesting initiatives, believes the president of District Atwater, who lives in Verdun and has long been involved in the organization.

A natural link (!) Indeed exists between Origine Habitation durable, which incorporates the principles of biophilia, with its hanging gardens and twenty trees, and L’Ancre des Jeunes, which relies in particular on urban agriculture to promote dropping out of school. Last year, the community organization installed an educational greenhouse on the roof of its building. The sum received will help him repay what has already been invested to fit out the greenhouse and furnish it with furniture. It will also allow it to continue to develop urban agriculture workshops, which are very popular with young people.

“Urban agriculture is a very interesting educational vector,” notes Arthur d’Heilly, administrative director for the organization. In the summer, we developed a cooperative project for young people, who only do urban agriculture and who will sell their vegetables, in particular, on the Verdun beach and in the Verdun market. It is apart from our educational sphere and a small community lot that we have in Verdun. In the collective kitchen, which we operate here, we will also look for products that grow in the greenhouse to prepare meals with the young people, and show the links that there may be between agriculture and cooking. It is concrete and it works. ”

Develop lasting ties

In a context where the gentrification of neighborhoods like Verdun is criticized, Mr. d’Heilly believes that the development of links between newcomers and community organizations like L’Ancre des Jeunes would bring good.

“I hope this will be the start of a collaboration,” he says. It’s a winner for everyone. The housing project will evolve over time with vegetation everywhere. A bridge could be created with young people to help with maintenance. ”

Alexandre Forgues sees even further. “Both on the side of L’Ancre des Jeunes and on our side, it’s a great marriage,” he believes. People who buy from us often share the same values. Many of our clients like that we have carried out participatory consultations, that our projects are carried out with respect for the community and that we are committed to it. The next step would be for these people to continue in the same vein. I think of a lot of really interesting projects that we can do with young people, if we want to develop entrepreneurship. They can offer to sell their fruits, vegetables and flowers to the co-owners. There will also be landscaping maintenance to be done. They can come and work with us. ”

Origine Sustainable Housing, designed by the NÓS Architectes agency, is located four blocks from L’Ancre des Jeunes. Mr. Forgues wants a rapprochement on both sides. “At L’Ancre, a lot of volunteering is required,” says the father of a three-year-old boy and a one-and-a-half-year-old girl. It would be nice if people from the neighborhood would donate hours to help the kids with their homework. It would be of enormous help. For me, it’s the diversity of a neighborhood that makes it so beautiful. ”

While developers usually hand over the keys once construction is complete, the latter will remain with the young co-ownership syndicate for a while to ensure the sustainability of the green systems put in place and ensure that everything works well.

M. Forgues intends to stay a long time in Verdun; his next project could promote the creation of a residential district in the image of the borough, in a former industrial zone. Innovation, greenery and the integration of mixed housing for various clienteles (families, artists, young people, etc.) are among its priorities.

Consult the website of Origine Habitation durable Consult the website of L’Ancre des Jeunes