About us
Create a united and safe community
A Story of Goodwill
AJOI was founded in Sainte-Genevieve in 2007. During its first year of existence, AJOI worked mainly to establish and maintain intervention services in relation to being with young people aged 12 to 25 at risk and / or in difficulty in the West Island of Montreal. Noting the need and the lack of resources in the sector, the organization then opened its services to vulnerable people of all ages, focusing on several issues such as homelessness, drug addiction, mental health, legalization, poverty, social exclusion, violence and sexual health. AJOI has come a long way since its founding and is now a recognized organization that helps thousands of young people and vulnerable people every year.
Our Values
Our Objectifs
Our goal is to offer reception, listening, support, accompaniment, referral and distribution of prevention materials to young people and vulnerable people struggling with one or more problems: homelessness, drug addiction, mental health, legalization, poverty, social exclusion, violence, sexual health, etc.
Objectifs :
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Develop and offer preventive services in sexual health, drug addiction, homelessness and violence.
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Promote the integration of young people into the community by facilitating and supporting the implementation of collective projects.
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Foster consultation and partnership with West Island organizations.
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Prevent crime and youth joining criminal gangs.
Our Story
2005
2007
2007-2013
2008
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2017
2020
2023
Following the release of the Portrait of the needs and realities of young people in the West Island territory in 2005, the "Table de concertation jeunesse de l’Ouest-de-l’Île" is piloting the community work program which allows actions to be taken on the West Island (WI) territory.
On September 12, 2007, the Registraire des entreprises du Québec issued letters patent to AJOI.
Over the years, AJOI expanded the territory it serves. First present in Sainte-Genevieve and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue then in Pierrefonds-Roxboro (2007), the team grew to cover Dorval, Dollard-des-Ormeaux and Île-Bizard (2008-2009), Pointe-Claire (2012-2013), as well as all of the municipalities of the WI.
From 2008, AJOI developed numerous street/community work projects tackling various issues, including:
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Jeux de la rue of AJOI (sports tournaments);
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L’Ange de l’AJOI and Projet ACE (prevention of sexual exploitation and sex education workshops);
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AJOI-Mobile (accompaniment service to second-line resources – drug addiction, emergency accommodation);
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Stabilize yourself with the AJOI (adult homelessness);
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TOGA (free sports activities).
The members of the AJOI team began to observe and name the growing problem of homelessness in the WI as early as 2012.
A study on the precarious residence of young people in the WI was carried out in 2013-2014 in collaboration with UQAM and the City of Montreal.
In 2014, a working committee for the creation of an accommodation resource was set up. An opportunity study was carried out in 2015-2016.
AJOI officially incorporates Ricochet (Hébergement·Homes) in 2017.
2020, the year of a global pandemic, AJOI is officially declared an essential service in the WI and participates in several emergency cells set up by the CIUSSS of the WI and community partners. Activities and services are adapting to the context of the pandemic. Requests for help are more numerous, the problems more serious, the beneficiaries are older.
On December 19, 2020, under the wing of AJOI, Ricochet, the first emergency accommodation in the WI, opens its doors. A regular shuttle service is also set up to bring beneficiaries back to Ricochet in the evening, and to other services in the morning.
The team at the heart of AJOI's mission now has 13 street work positions as well as 7 animators throughout the year.
Our Awards and Recognition
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Excellence Award
Excellence Award from the Health and Social Services Network in the category of Prevention, Promotion, and Protection of Health and Well-being.
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Inclusion Award
Inclusion Award presented by the Regroupement of Autonomous Community Youth Organizations of Quebec for exceptional service to a less visible and bilingual clientele, encompassing a large territory and a significant community.
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Solidarity Succession Award
Solidarity Succession from Centraide of Greater Montreal awarded to Tania Charron, Chief Executive Office.
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Youth Recognition Award
Youth Recognition Award in the Health category presented to Mardoché Mertilus, then Clinical Coordinator.
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Community Service Award
Canada 150 Community Service Award from the House of Commons of Canada.
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Finalist : Excellence Award
Finalist in the field of Prevention, Promotion, and Protection of Health and Well-being at the Excellence Awards of the Health and Social Services Network.
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5
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Best training
Best training by the Youth Development Project - Next Generation Initiative.
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Community Service Award
Community Service Award from the West Island Montreal Chamber of Commerce.
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3
Tribute Award
Tribute Award to the AJOI team by the Montreal Police Service for the establishment of the "Comité l'Aut'Gang"
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Solidarity Succession Award
Solidarity Succession Award from Centraide of Greater Montreal awarded to Benoit Langevin, then General Manager.
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Community Service Accolade
Community Service Accolade from The West Island of Montreal Chamber of Commerce.