AJOI outreach worker honoured
Mardoché Mertilus co-ordinates workshops on health-related topics
A West Island youth outreach worker has been honoured by the Quebec government for his work helping at-risk young people. Mardoché Mertilus is a clinical co-ordinator for Action Jeunesse de L’Ouest-de-l’Île (AJOI).
Mertilus was one of 11 recipients of the Prix Reconnaissance jeunesse. The award ceremony took place in what as known as the Red Room at the National Assembly in Quebec City, March 28.
Mertilus learned about the honour two weeks ago. “I was shocked,” he said during a recent interview. “In our line of work, we don’t look for recognition, but it felt good.”
His first job with AJOI was as a street worker, making contact with young people in crisis, earning their trust and helping where he could with information and the resources at hand. He came to the job with some “street cred,” having been kicked out of the house when he was young. He got himself back on track and is now dedicated to helping others who find themselves in the same situation.
Mertilus, who received the Intervenant jeunesse de l’axe Santé award, co-ordinates workshops on health-related topics from safe sexual practices to helping someone access proper health care at a doctor’s office or hospital. He oversees the distribution of condoms and clean drug paraphernalia to help prevent the spread of disease.
“It is great to meet other people who work in the same field, hear their stories about how they got involved and share a bit of my story,” Mertilus said of the award ceremony. “We are all doing this because we believe in humanity and we want to help these young people become the citizens of tomorrow.”
Last week was the inaugural ceremony for the awards.
Two awards were handed out in each of five categories — health, education, citizenship, employment and entrepreneurship. Each category represents a focus included in the Quebec government’s youth action plan as well as its Politique québécoise de la jeunesse 2030.
The 11th prize — the prize of excellence — is named the Prix EmmettJohns to honour the memory of the late “Pops” who founded Dans la rue, a roving outreach initiative dedicated to helping street kids.
For a list of recipients, visit premier.gouv.qc.ca/actualites/communiques.