An initiative that supports school perseverance.

School Perseverance Week is an annual event in Quebec, aimed at raising awareness in the community about the importance of education for the success of young people. Since 2008, its goal has been to highlight the efforts made by students, teachers, parents and stakeholders to promote educational success. This is the perfect opportunity to remind people of the importance of providing ongoing support to students, especially those who face additional challenges, such as young people from immigrant backgrounds.

Podcasts: giving young people a voice.

For School Perseverance Week, La Maisonnée recorded a series of podcasts with young people from immigrant backgrounds to gather their perspectives on school perseverance and the challenges they have encountered since arriving at school. These testimonials are a great way to understand the realities of young immigrants, their struggles to adapt to a new education system, their aspirations and the obstacles they encounter on a daily basis.

Podcasts are a participatory initiative that allows these young people to express themselves and share their experiences, while raising public awareness of the importance of school integration. Testimonials are also a way to break the isolation of young migrants and highlight the richness of their journeys. To see them, follow La Maisonnée’s YouTube links and their broadcast also on our social networks. Each day, a new episode will be posted, offering young people and the community a poignant reflection on the challenges and successes that young people will face in their educational journey.
épisode 1 Présentations : https://youtu.be/6PBn9X797WE
épisode 2 Résilience : https://youtu.be/LIZFNWQG2wA
épisode 3 Écosystème : https://youtu.be/8mMBUJzUOa0
épisode 2 Espoir : https://youtu.be/j4ZpcxgZC3E

Overview…

Episode 1: Introductions

Welcome to the first episode, where we will delve into the stories of young people whose educational journeys will be shaped by very particular realities. From Algeria to Peru, Congo and Canada, these voices will share their unique, enriching and sometimes overwhelming experiences. Discover what pushed them to overcome obstacles, adapt to a new educational system, and transform their stories into life lessons. This first episode will give you a taste of what led them to participate in this series, and will invite you to perhaps recognize yourself in their journeys.

In this episode, we will continue to explore the complexity of school integration through the stories of our participants. Discover how each of them faced the challenges of adapting to the Quebec school environment and what marked their journey. Between doubts and successes, these young people will open the door to a broader conversation on how our education systems can support diversity and inclusion. An inspiring episode, where each one’s experiences will resonate with yours.

Episode 2: Resilience

One of the most essential values ​​at the heart of these stories is resilience. Today, we will dive deeper into the challenges that our guests faced as immigrants in the school system, and how each found their own way to overcome them. Nito, Aya, Diana and Bénie will share with us their strategies for getting back up after difficulties, social judgments and obstacles related to language and integration. This will not simply be an episode about the struggle, but a true celebration of the inner strength that pushed our guests to move forward despite everything.

Episode 3: The School Ecosystem

In this episode, we will discover the importance of the school environment in educational success. But what will constitute this “ecosystem”? It will not only be a framework of teachers and students. It will also be friends, family, and sometimes community resources, who will play a crucial role. Our guests will tell us how their entourage has shaped their academic journey, sometimes supporting them, but also challenging them. An episode full of touching anecdotes, where human relationships and social connections will be at the heart of educational success.

Episode 4: Hope and advice for young people

The challenges will be real, but the key to success will be hope and perseverance. Our guests will look to the future, sharing advice and encouragement to young people who, like them, will go through difficult times. How will they have overcome their own doubts? And what message will they have to convey to those who might think that academic success will be out of reach? An episode full of wisdom and hope, which will prove that with determination, nothing will be impossible.

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our deep gratitude to the young participants, as well as to all the facilitators and employees of the youth section of La Maisonnée, who have generously contributed to the creation of this series. A big thank you to Nito, Aya, Diana, Bénnie, all the young guests for sharing their journeys with us. We also warmly thank the facilitators Ihssan, Yang and Aline, as well as all the employees involved, whose efforts have made this project possible. Their commitment, passion and support will be a true source of inspiration for the youth of our community.

Ongoing support for the success of young people

The services offered by La Maisonnée are of great importance for young people from immigrant backgrounds who wish to succeed in their academic careers. Through diversified activities, from homework help to spring break and summer camps, these young people benefit from constant support to enable them to overcome challenges and fully integrate into Quebec society. Academic perseverance is a collective goal, and La Maisonnée is fully committed to offering young people every chance to succeed, whether they are in class or on vacation.

Homework help: a lever for academic success.

La Maisonnée sets up activities such as homework help for young people in elementary and secondary schools. This service, offered every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from January 18 to March 29, 2025, offers individualized support to students from immigrant backgrounds. During the sessions, young people can work on their homework, practice French and receive targeted help from counsellors, volunteers and interns. Each student receives support from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on their level. At the end of the session, a play period allows children to strengthen their social skills and continue to practice the language in a fun environment. This support is offered for a low fee of $15 for nine weeks, an invaluable opportunity for families who want to give their children a helping hand. La Maisonnée also offers activities during spring break, so as not to leave children without support during the school holidays, a key time for their integration. To learn more or register: https://lamaisonnee.org/fr/events/aide-aux-devoirs/ )

Spring break and summer camps: continuous integration, even during the holidays

To ensure smooth integration throughout the year, La Maisonnée organizes summer and spring break camps that aim to strengthen the integration of young migrants. These camps are not limited to recreational activities, but are also designed to allow children to continue learning French and become familiar with Quebec culture in a fun and caring environment. These moments offer young people opportunities to exchange, make friends and develop greater self-confidence.

Through these initiatives, La Maisonnée contributes to the success of young immigrants, all year long.

Contact

For any questions or for more information, do not hesitate to contact Aline Boire at 514-271-3533 or by email at aline.boire@lamaisonnee.org

We look forward to supporting your children in their educational journey and helping them thrive in their new life in Quebec!