On May 31st in Quebec City, Health and Social Services Minister Danielle McCann presented West Island Youth Action (AJOI) the Prevention, Promotion and Protection of Health and Well-being Award, from a category reserved for community organizations in Quebec, at the 2019 Health and Social Services Network Awards of Excellence ceremony.
This recognition from the health network is a great achievement for our organization which, for more than 11 years, has been offering services of listening, support, accompaniment and referral to young vulnerable people aged 12 to 25 years old struggling with different issues such as homelessness, substance abuse, physical or mental health problems, poverty, isolation, etc. This represents nine outreach workers who are present on the territory of the West Island of Montreal to create meaningful relationships with a marginalized clientele, which does not go naturally towards existing resources and the traditional offer of services. Since its creation, AJOI has made more than 35,000 targeted interventions.
This award is given to initiatives that influence the determinants of health and well-being or the associated risk factors. These achievements must focus on the promotion, prevention and protection of the health of the population. As a result, AJOI designs projects in the light of emerging youth issues observed on the streets, and thus contributes to improving the living conditions of vulnerable individuals. AJOI aims to improve the quality of life of young people and to break the denial of poverty on its territory. It wants to create healthy and safe environments for the population in a humanistic, individualized and empowerment approach.
AJOI sincerely thanks the Ministry of Health and Social Services for this very significant recognition. The award touches the very essence of AJOI’s mission and achievements.
Visit the website (www.ajoi.info) and the Facebook page to learn more about AJOI!
By: Tania Charron, Executive Director AJOI
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