The City of Montreal will release an envelope of $3 million to support 52 initiatives proposed by young Montrealers to keep them away from situations of violence in the metropolis.
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The rise in gun violence in recent years is of growing concern to Montrealers.
The City has therefore pledged several times to help with prevention projects, notably during the Montreal Forum Against Armed Violence held last March.
The Plante administration will thus financially support 52 initiatives proposed by young people under the age of 30.
Carried out in collaboration with community organizations, these projects range from the creation of artistic workshops, to the setting up of sports teams or groups to give young people a voice.
“It is essential for our administration to place young people at the heart of our actions to prevent violence,” said the mayoress of Montreal, Valérie Plante.
“By mobilizing young people and developing innovative initiatives to improve their living conditions, these projects will help strengthen our Montreal model of urban safety in the various neighborhoods of Montreal,” she added.
Faced with the enthusiasm, the City has moreover doubled its budget, increasing it from $1.4 million to $3 million.
Among the lucky winners, we find in particular the Organization des Jeunes de Parc-Extension. The association focuses on offering group activities for young people in the neighborhood. She will receive nearly $74,681 for the creation of spaces for discussion on racism and discrimination with 36 young people.
“This call for projects finally allows us to push the spaces for discussion and knowledge sharing even further in order to be able to fight against discrimination and injustice in our environment”, explained Adler Moussa Chounan of the Organization.
For its part, the Youth Consultation Office will obtain an envelope of $70,000 for a social cohabitation project. It is led by 15 young people aged 17 to 22 who benefit from subsidized housing.
“We want this space to be a place where we can discuss issues that concern us and carry out projects that will create a fairer world, on our scale,” indicated the young people on the committee.