Fundraiser nets $830,000 for disadvantaged youth

2,000 benefit from pediatric centres; Dr. Julien campaign continues to Jan. 15

A one-day fundraiser for the Fondation du Dr. Julien, which provides a practical helping hand to the city’s most disadvantaged children via a broad range of services, raised more than $830,000, organizers said Saturday.

That’s dramatically above the $550,000 raised during last year’s version of the event, a spokeswoman for the foundation, Émilie Russo, said.

About 450 volunteers across multiple Montreal locations participated this year.

Just over 80 per cent of the amount raised came from individuals, Russo added.

About 2,000 youngsters a year, up to 14 years of age, benefit from medical, psychosocial, psycho-educational and educational services provided through the group.

The non-profit foundation, founded by Dr. Gilles Julien, runs two community social pediatric centres.

“This outpouring of solidarity gives us reason to believe that, more than ever, Quebecers are touched by the plight of vulnerable children,” Julien declared.

In communities where the foundation is active, he added, “one kid in two is not ready to enter school. We sorely need popular support to pursue our mission to accompany these kids and help every one of them develop to his or her own full potential.”

The group’s Centre de services préventifs à l’enfance (CSPE) is located in Côte-desNeiges and serves about 700 children.

Its original location, in the Hochelaga–Maisonneuve district, operates with about 1,000 children as Assistance d’enfants en difficulté (AED).

The Garage à musique program, meanwhile, serves about 300.

Volunteers braving frigid outdoor temperatures for the 11th annual event worked at the Atwater, Jean-Talon and Maisonneuve public markets as well as eight corners along Côte-des-Neiges Rd. and eight further locations in Hochelaga–Maisonneuve.

Collection points included the Côte-des-Neiges, Joliette, Pie-IX, Viau and Outremont métro stations, the Angus Shops and the Salon des métiers d’art at Place Bonaventure.

The campaign continues — without the street-level activity — until Jan. 15.

Donations can be made by phone, to 1-855-375-8543. Telecommunications firm Telus has pledged to match donations of $10 texted to 80100, up to a $20,000 maximum. As well, Telus has committed a further $20,000.

“The difficult living conditions found in vulnerable neighbourhoods create a stress so intense that it becomes toxic and endangers a child’s development,” Julien said.

“This is where the work of the social pediatrics team comes in — to support and provide families with tools to help them achieve well-being, ensure that children’s basic rights are fully respected and provide them with an equal chance at success.”

The centres provide art therapy, ergotherapy and music therapy in addition to such services as orthophony, psychology, pedopsychiatry and neuropsychology. The group also conducts summer camps, music courses, theatre and shows.

“Funds gathered will also enable the foundation to accompany community social pediatrics emerging elsewhere in Quebec,” Russo noted.