CJE Memphrémagog partners with Townshippers’ to connect with English-speaking youth
As part of a provincially-funded pilot project, Townshippers’ Association is partnering with local Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi (CJE) to increase access to existing employment services for English-speaking youth in our community. To bring attention to the services they provide, project coordinator Katie Bibbs has been profiling each of the seven Carrefours Jeunesse Emploi in the Estrie in The Record. For the second instalment of this series, Katie sat down with the Executive Director of the CJE Memphrémagog to discuss the team and their efforts to help the English-speaking youth of all backgrounds.
Josée Boily has been at the helm of the CJE Memphrémagog for close to two decades, and in that time the organization has evolved and grown into a busy team of 10.
“At first, we were four people, so it was a very small organization,” she explained.
Josée is happy to share that through this Townshippers’ project, the CJE is now better equipped to help young English-speakers in the community. They are currently working on a bilingual website, and have had a large number of documents translated.
“Our main services are employment skills and guidance counselling. For employment skills, we offer the service in English,” Josée explained. The CJE also collaborates with Job Links, so if a client wants psychometric testing, there is a referral service to ensure the best quality of care is taken.
The CJE Memphrémagog offers some individualized programs that Englishspeaking clients are encouraged to check out as well.
They recently launched “volontariat” a community-service program: “we have a group of volunteers who go out into the community and get involved in various activities. The program helps participants see what their abilities are, promotes self-esteem, and gives them a chance to build various skills to help them decide what kind of career they might best be suited for,” Josée explained, adding that the program is open to anyone aged 18-29 who want to be engaged in his or her community. “We would love to offer this to young English-speakers.”
Another option for teenagers (age 14 18 years old) who are trying to find their first job, is the Dejardins Jeunes Aux Travail program. This is a summer job opportunity for youth who don’t have previous work experience. The CJE helps them find a work placement and provides them with support in the process.
The program has been met with great success in the past and is now open to people who don’t speak fluent French. All the program’s documents have been translated into English, and the CJE will try to find any candidate who asks for it a bilingual, or predominantly English, position.
When asked what she is most proud of, Josée explained that her team constantly considers what is best for their clients and often work together to achieve this goal.
“I’m very proud of the fact that all my employees always want the best for their clients… they really make an effort to take care of them, and put themselves in their [client’s] shoes.”
The CJE Memphremagog is located at 95 rue Jean-paul II, in Magog. The amenities are modern, and the space warm and inviting. If you need to use a computer or check out some resources, just pop by during their business hours or call 819-843-3007!
Questions about the pilot project? Contact project coordinator Katie Bibbs, at 819-566-5717 or email eliaison@townshippers.org.
This weekly column in The Record keeps you in touch with Townshippers’ Association’s activities and news. For other ways to keep in touch with us, visit our website www.townshippers.org, follow us on Facebook.com/townshippers, Twitter @Townshippers or get in touch with our offices in Sherbrooke at 100 – 257 Queen, 819-566-5717, toll-free: 1-866566-5717, or Lac-brome at 3-584 Knowlton Rd, 450-242-4421, toll-free: 1-877-242-4421.