TASHI FARMILO
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
CAMPBELL’S BAY – Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi du Pontiac (CJEP) ended the fiscal year with a hefty surplus and expanded services, according to its annual general meeting held June 26. The organization reported a surplus of $600,707, nearly double the previous year’s figure, due to more public funding and reduced payroll costs.
Revenue totalled $1.83 million, up from $1.65 million the previous year. Operating expenses decreased slightly to $1.31 million. CJEP boasts a $3.6 million accumulated surplus and no long-term debt.
Over 2,600 clients benefitted from a wide range of services including employment support, youth programs, mental health workshops, and entrepreneurship initiatives. The digital lab provided access to computers and printers, supported tax filings, job searches, and document processing for 186 users.
The driving support program, Conduite pour réussir, continued to grow. Seventeen participants obtained learner’s permits and two acquired full driver’s licences. The program also helped with online class access, reminders, and discounted vehicle rentals.
CJEP ran two virtual job fairs featuring 26 employers and 86 job postings. The format allowed employers to stay active at their businesses while engaging with candidates, and helped job seekers without transportation to connect from home or designated support sites in Campbell’s Bay, Shawville, and Chapeau.
The Je l’entreprends program supported students and young adults with designing business plans, participating in workshops, and presenting their projects. Eight workshops were held in local schools, and several individuals began building small business ventures with the help of Carrefour staff and local mentors.
The organization also focused on helping young people transition from secondary school to CEGEP and vocational training. Challenges like budgeting, housing, transport and unfamiliarity with post-secondary systems were addressed through in-school workshops, planning sessions, and support for students and families. Cooking and budgeting classes, digital literacy workshops, and peer support networks were part of a larger plan to increase readiness and retention after graduation.
Mental health education remained a priority, particularly for students. Workshops developed in partnership with the Université de Sherbrooke were delivered in multiple schools, with nearly 400 participants learning about emotional regulation, conflict management, and anxiety prevention.
Sortir du bois, Carrefour’s social enterprise employment program, recorded over 11,000 hours of paid work between 23 participants. The initiative allows individuals facing employment barriers to gain hands-on experience in forestry and construction-related roles.
CJEP also continued to support recent immigrants. Assistance included preparing CVs, accessing training, and obtaining licences required for work. In several cases, participants were able to move from unemployment to stable roles through targeted support.
Throughout the meeting, staff and community partners emphasized the importance of stable, continuous services. Rather than short-term interventions, the organization aims to build long-term systems that respond to the real conditions of life in Pontiac.