Houses of Hope – Providing at-risk youth a chance at a better life

Leah Curley, LJI

Houses of Hope

It’s a sad fact. More and more adolescents in our community are experiencing personal, family, school, and social problems they can’t solve on their own. But they can learn to cope with and even overcome them, with the help and support they find at the Houses of Hope, owned and maintained by the Brome-Missisquoi Youth Foundation, a non-profit charity.

Located in Cowansville, each of these three homes accommodates eight at-risk youths. They are regulated by the CIUSSS de l’Estrie, with staffing and services provided by the Directorate of Youth Protection (DPI), which is also responsible for placing teens in the homes, by court order. “But some kids show up here on their own”, says Sonia Raikes Smith, Youth Foundation President.

She is describing the Living Room, the bilingual home used primarily for urgent, short-term needs. “Sometimes it’s a knock on the door in the middle of the night,” she explains. These teens find a warm welcome, a safe haven, and the help they need, because social workers, police, educators… an extensive network of professionals is on call to the Houses of Hope. Some urgent arrivals move on to Le Tremplin, the Foundation’s French-language home, for longer-term stays.

Beyond the basics

The goal is to help vulnerable adolescents develop self-esteem and self-control, and to earn the respect of others. The homes are welcoming, well supervised and structured, safe and quiet. The atmosphere is positive and constructive.

Beyond food and shelter, the program provides counselling, supervision and boundary setting, activities and workshops, and help with homework. Personnel are qualified and always on-site, so young residents can count on them for assistance and support, day or night.

At the same time, the Foundation provides the kind of encouragement and support that can change lives. Donations to the Foundation provide school books, tuition, tutoring, and scholarships. “We give cash awards, not for the best grades, but for perseverance,” Raikes Smith says. “We try to encourage them to keep going, no matter what is going on around them.”

The Foundation also pays for school trips and activities, and for driver’s education. “It’s important to their chances of employment,” says Assistant Treasurer Jane Hayes, pointing to our lack of public transportation.

A growing need

Over the last five years, the need for this kind of temporary housing has doubled. And the age range of those in need has broadened. Contat House, the third (and also bilingual) facility, is now home to 6 to 12-year-olds. “It’s heartbreaking to think that there’s a 6-year-old child in one of our houses,” says Toni Marion, Youth Foundation board member. “But we know they’re really well cared for, and we’re providing a necessary home.”

Making a real difference

The Houses of Hope are making a real and significant difference in the lives and futures of at-risk youth in our region. More than 1,200 young people have been assisted by these essential facilities.

“You don’t hear about it,” says Raikes Smith. “Placement in a home isn’t something people want to talk about.” But the successes – and the gratitude – are there. In such a small community, they run into these once-desperate kids and their families. “I have a job…” “I’m married…” “I’m doing really well…” These are the rewards that make it all worthwhile for the dedicated members of the Brome-Missisquoi Youth Foundation and their generous donors.

About the Foundation

The Brome-Missisquoi Youth Foundation is a registered charity. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.hopespoir.ca. Please note that 100% of funds received are put toward the maintenance and the mission of the Houses of Hope. Donors are welcome to specify the use of their contributions. The Houses of Hope serve at-risk youth aged 12 to 17, as well as children aged 6 to 12, in both English and French, in the Montérégie and surrounding regions (Haut-Richelieu and Haute-Yamaska).

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