Note: The information enclosed in brackets describes the visual and audio content of the video other than dialogue or narration.
[Text on the screen: Together, we can extend a hand to street kids]
[Background music]
[View of Jacynthe Thériault sitting outdoors beside a river. As she is talking, we see people walking in the streets of Joliette. We see young people talking to each other in the shadows underneath a bridge.]
Jacynthe Thériault: The association for street kids in Joliette is an organization of outreach counsellors who work directly with young people.
[Text on the screen: Jacynthe Thériault, outreach counsellor, Association pour les jeunes de la rue de Joliette]
Jacynthe Thériault: At the heart of it, the goal of the organization is to be a bridge between resources and the street. Because this is what we want: to create a bond of trust with at-risk youth. We see about 400 or 500 kids, but in terms of
support and interventions, it can go as high as 1,500—1,500—a year.
[View of Amélya Gagnon sitting outdoors in a park. There's a river and a bridge behind her.]
[Text on the screen: Amélya Gagnon, former street kid, youth counsellor]
Amélya Gagnon: The first time that I met, that I actually saw Jacynthe, actually, was when I was living in a foster home, because I had left my family when I was 13 years old. And then later, I decided to contact her, because I needed help, I
needed to talk to someone. So, we made a date at KFC and the rest is history.
[The 2 women walk along the riverbank underneath the bridge.]
Jacynthe Thériault: When we met, we connected immediately. It was as if she needed someone important in her life.
[View of Amélya Gagnon sitting outdoors in a park, there is a river and a bridge behind her.]
Amélya Gagno: For a long, long time, she was the only adult I trusted. I didn't have confidence in anyone, not a single adult. If she hadn't been there, I have no idea how things would have turned out. She was a role model. She continues to be
a mentor for me right up until today. She is passionate about what she does and she lit that fire within me.
Jacynthe Thériault: Amélya has her life. She's the mother of one child, okay, and she is expecting a second. She works as an outreach counsellor at a street café in the same building as mine.
[View of the two women who are smiling at the camera.]
Jacynthe Thériault: She's someone who has learned from her life—and she appreciates her experience because they've made her who she is today.
[We see the women walking on the bridge. We see the same kids talking to each other in the shadows underneath the bridge.]
Jacynthe Thériault: We've been collaborating with Desjardins for 8 years. It's allowed us to have an additional outreach counsellor in Joliette. This means we can actually meet up with more young people. Surrounded by a good team as well as a
caisse that supports us—it's obvious we'll stay in the street longer. Participating in their success is key.
[Text on the screen: To the millions of Desjardins members, thank you.]
[Image on the screen: Desjardins logo / Cooperating in building the future]
