Youth Fusion takes aim at Quebec's high school dropout rates

Kids hear it all the time — “stay in school.” But what are we doing to encourage at-risk students to complete their secondary education?

Concordia has been partnering with a proactive charity called Youth Fusion since it debuted in 2008.

Concordia’s connection

Youth Fusion works to lower high school dropout rates in Quebec by involving at-risk youth in educational projects that contribute to their learning, qualifications and social integration.

It was founded by Concordia alumnus Gabriel Bran Lopez, BA 08, who was recently elected president of the Jeune Chambre de Commerce de Montréal (JCCM) and member of Concordia’s Board of Governors.

“Youth Fusion began as a pilot project at Concordia, but has grown to employ dozens of coordinators to help students as far north as James Bay and Nunavik,” says Lisa Ostiguy, deputy provost with Concordia’s Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs. “We’re proud we were able to help launch it and maintain an active partnership.”

Murals, music and marketing plans

For the 2014-15 academic year, Youth Fusion created a total of 180 projects across Quebec, including 17 coordinated by Concordia students, plus another 20 by recent graduates. The initiatives are diverse, ranging from math tutoring to mural design and music clubs.

Frédérique Bouchard, who is in her fourth year in International Business at the John Molson School of Business, helps coach a pre-existing entrepreneurship class at Académie De Roberval, a secondary school in Montreal.

There are 22 senior students divided into five small groups, with each group launching a real business, says Bouchard.

“Since September, we’ve been working on business plans, marketing strategies and budgets,” she says.

“Two of the businesses already launched — the fruit smoothie service and the Sweets and Treats company. Next, we’re launching an event planning service, a video game competition and a breakfast box company. The students take it really seriously. They see how it applies to real life.”

Thibault Zimmer, who’s pursuing his MA in the Department of Art Education at Concordia, is repeating his successful art project from last year at Montreal’s John F. Kennedy High School, which hosts the Work-Oriented Training Pathways program. Students can work on murals or individual art. Last year’s theme was “heart”; this year’s is the body.

“One student in particular really found his stylistic niche and even sold some work at the vernissage,” says Zimmer. “He may pursue a career in art.”

‘Some kids leave gangs’

For three years, musician Eric Burnet, BA 11, held a Youth Fusion music club after school and at lunch at Beurling Academy in Verdun.

“Some kids need a place to hang out, while others are more serious about being in a band and recording their own music,” says Burnet, who suspended his work with Youth Fusion this year to start a master’s degree in social work.

“Some kids leave gangs to do the Youth Fusion projects, and some became the first in their family to graduate from high school.”

Isn’t that the holy grail of stay-in-school efforts? Break the dropout cycle, one student at a time.

Read about more Youth Fusion projects coordinated by Concordians. 

Apply for to work at Youth Fusion. They’re hiring in March for jobs that start in September 2016.

Community and public engagement are deeply rooted in the Concordia identity. Read more about Embrace the City, Embrace the World, one of Concordia’s nine strategic directions.