“The pandemic has really mortgaged our generation of teenagers, and that worries us because we see that we will not have the means to accompany them”, launches, inflamed, Nicholas Legault, director general of the Regroupement des maison des jeunes of Quebec. He denounces the “chronic underfunding” of youth centres, which receive only a third of the sums they need.
Installed on a folding chair in the “relaxation corner” of the Maison des jeunes du Plateau, the director general sighs, pointing to the sofa covered with a threadbare brown cover and the floor stained with paint. “I’m not taking anything away from our youth centers, but that’s the reality: we’re always on the dime. »
Its host, the coordinator of the Maison des jeunes du Plateau, Simon Gagné, is not offended by the remark. On the contrary, he adds with aplomb: “Our buildings are falling into ruin! “For three years, the premises have been under renovation, he explains. The work is not progressing quickly. And for good reason. “Everything that is not plumbing or electricity, I do it with the help of volunteers. »
It is not for the interior decoration that young people frequent the place, nor even for the pool table or the music room, although these have a certain power of attraction. But the physical location still has its effect, as evidenced by Marc-André Boisjoly, 17, who sits on the board of directors of RadoActif, located in Ville-Émard.
The teenager does not feel so comfortable in his “second home” since it was forced to move. He constantly evokes the old premises and its large counter where he could sit with his friends and discuss with the speakers. If he had a magic wand—or money—that’s where he’d go back.
Describing himself as an “eternal optimist”, the teenager nevertheless continues to frequent the youth center to discuss with the stakeholders. “They don’t pretend to be someone else, they’re real. And they are really interested in us, in what we tell them, says Marc-André. I know they are stakeholders, but I feel like they are my friends. »
The teenager loves this unique bond that binds him to RadoActif workers so much that he began studying special education in the hope of working there later.
When the ties break
The relationship of trust between the worker and the young person is at the very heart of the mission of the youth centres. But for lack of money, they are unable to offer competitive wages and working conditions.
This results in a very high staff turnover rate, estimated at 37% last year, according to the Regroupement. “The workers who come to us tell us that they love it, but after two or three years, they leave to obtain better conditions. It’s always a question of money,” says Joëlle Dorion, coordinator of the Maison des jeunes Le Squatt in Ahuntsic.
This has implications for young people. She herself had to console teenagers upset by the departure of their worker. “The young person only sees the present moment and its pain. We tell him not to worry, that we will find another worker, but for him, his worker is irreplaceable. »
At RadoActif, none of the workers who welcomed the young Marc-André four years ago are still in their positions. “It’s boring to say goodbye to those you love. It leaves a mark on the heart. Me, I get attached quickly to the new ones, but for other young people, it’s a shock. Some do not come after the departure of their speaker. »
Fewer services
The lack of money and staff also has an impact on the service offer, says the director general of the Regroupement des maison des jeunes du Québec. Nicholas Legault says nearly half of its 216 members across Quebec have had to partially close their doors or reduce their hours of operation over the past year.
Some [jeunes] no longer come after the departure of their speaker
Many only open their doors three or four days a week, while there is a demand to open seven days a week. At the Maison des jeunes in Ahuntsic, for example, the coordinator has to close at 7:00 p.m. because she opens at noon to accommodate young people who have no place to eat. She would like to extend the opening hours in the evening, but it is impossible. And it is not uncommon for it to have to close if a member of the team is sick.
The need is crying out, says Joëlle Dorion, especially in the context of a pandemic. Indeed, isolation has wreaked havoc on the mental health of young people and deprived them of crucial learning, especially those who completed their first year of high school online. “Young people have not developed their social skills: they will insult or push themselves to get in touch with others rather than interacting in a positive way. We do a lot of workshops to teach them how to create links. »