Canada/ Promoting social inclusion through civic sponsorship
For over 40 years, an organization called Parrainage civique de la Vallée-du-Richelieu has been enabling people with intellectual development disorders to break out of their solitude by being matched with a volunteer with whom they will experience a meaningful relationship, thus contributing to their social inclusion. Louise and Julie's pairing demonstrates the success of such an initiative.
An intellectual development disorder includes intellectual disability (a term we're now trying to avoid), ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and mental health problems. Merlin Fournier-Jean, the organization's General Manager, prefers to speak of a condition rather than a problem.
Needs in Sorel-Tracy
While the Belœil-based organization didn't cover the Pierre-De Saurel MRC until 2014, crying needs have changed that over the years. "The Sorel-Tracy region wasn't being served adequately because of the remoteness, but also because this territory was rather unloved. The concept of sponsorship for people with intellectual development disorders was not very widespread here, but the need for services like ours was very apparent," explains Fournier-Jean.
The needs are such that no less than 30% of the organization's membership comes from Sorel-Tracy and the Pierre-De Saurel MRC. "Sorel-Tracy is a beautiful community, and we've done a lot to develop the territory. Out of 29 matches, 7 are in Sorel-Tracy. But many are waiting to be twinned," reveals the organization's general manager.
Less sexy volunteering, but...
Merlin Fournier-Jean admits that sponsoring a person with an intellectual development disorder may be less appealing, but it is a major part of the life of a person supported by a volunteer. "There's a lack of understanding of this clientele, a certain prejudice, but with us, they're hand-picked, just like our volunteers. There are no behavioral issues, violent or otherwise. What they need is the ability to relate to another person," he explains.
The godchild may be referred by a community resource and sometimes by the parent. "We then assess the godchild to see if he or she can integrate well. We then find out about his or her interests and passions, and invite him or her to take part in our activities. Then we move on to the actual matchmaking with a volunteer who's as close as possible to the sponsee's profile. For the volunteer, there is of course a meeting with a counsellor, and two options are open to him or her. He or she can either be matched or do support volunteering. This is followed by a police screening and participation in activities, enabling the volunteer to familiarize himself with the clientele and see if there are any matches with potential godchildren. This is followed by three months' probation and follow-up. We're there to supervise and support this friendly relationship, because that's what it's all about. They experience a lot of isolation, and the support of a volunteer is invaluable. Sometimes it takes just a small thing to make the person we're sponsoring happy, and they're happy to share their happiness," says the General Manager.
The organization asks the volunteer to devote a minimum of three hours a month to the sponsored person, but it can be more, at the volunteer's discretion. Sponsors are not specialists in psychology, but come from a variety of backgrounds. They're just like everyone else. The hours devoted to the godchild can be filled in a variety of ways. The possibilities are endless. From simple social or sporting activities, to the cinema, a walk in the park or simply going for a coffee.
"Sponsorship gives the person greater autonomy, civic participation and self-esteem. It may be more difficult to find volunteers. We're talking about a fragile clientele, but they need to know that their godchildren have an incredible wealth to share," concludes Merlin Fournier-Jean.
Louise and Julie have developed a beautiful friendship
Perhaps it's not the most attractive type of volunteer work, as there are still many prejudices about the clientele of Parrainage civique de la Vallée-du-Richelieu, whose mission is to match volunteers with people with intellectual development disorders, but all the matches are nonetheless great successes.
Such is the case with Louise Lussier and Julie Legault, who have enjoyed a wonderful friendship for seven years. Initially, 78-year-old Louise Lussier was not destined to become a godmother. How did she become Julie's godmother?
"It was a combination of circumstances. I was a volunteer at the CAB du Bas-Richelieu in Sorel-Tracy, providing transport for people in need. Julie, 47, from Saint-Roch, needed our services regularly, especially for medical transportation, and I got to know her. She was enrolled in civic sponsorship, and because she liked me, she suggested I become her sponsor," says Louise Lussier.
The two had one thing in common: they talked, they talked and they talked. "To think that after I was born, my mother always said I'd never talk," points out Julie, who has to cope with Down's Syndrome.
After Julie explained what civic sponsorship was all about, Louise agreed after a few brief minutes of reflection. "Fate put Julie in my path. I then went through all the preliminary stages of twinning, and since then we've been meeting up for all sorts of activities for the past seven years," sums up Louise Lussier.
Not demanding, but rewarding
Civic sponsorship requires the sponsor to devote a minimum of three hours a month to the sponsored child. "We see each other one day a month and call each other every week," says Louise. "We take part in civic sponsorship activities in Belœil, playing golf and bowling, going out for supper and dinner - there's no shortage of ideas for activities," says Julie.
But what does this twinning bring? "As far as I'm concerned, it gives me a great sense of well-being to give to others in this way. We've created a wonderful friendship together. Julie is different, with her limitations, of course, but she's so dynamic," says Louise Lussier.
"She's part of my life. We share great moments together and laugh a lot," says Julie. It's important for me to have a godmother. It brings me joy and happiness, and lets me meet new people. "
"It's really worth it. You can make a significant difference to someone's life by accompanying them in this way, and there are many benefits to being a godparent. It's very rewarding," Louise Lussier firmly believes.
Parrainage civique de la Vallée-du-Richelieu is a very serious organization, with a very rigorous matching process. Its team is made up of caring people. "The director, Merlin Fournier-Jean, even accompanied me to the hospital and reassured me a lot, as I was very apprehensive. I think it's important to mention this," says Julie, who is very active and involved in many causes as a volunteer. She even took part in the Guignolée with Louise, because she knows how important it is to help others.
There are currently seven matches in the Sorel-Tracy area, but the need is great and many godchildren are waiting to be matched.
Source: les2rives.com/
