Fourth Vélogik finishes... and they are off and running!

Often, the world of work resembles a bicycle race. For some, that is the case. Others never have the occasion to get in the saddle. Some go off track.

But getting back on track is always possible. That is the objective of Vélogik, a community project of CJE Saint-Laurent. It is for young adults having difficulties integrating and addresses this with a triple approach: training in bicycle mechanics, activities and awareness related to climate change and the development of personal and social skills.

The fourth edition of this integration project was just completed, involving some 10 youth from Saint-Laurent. They presented the results of their efforts, during a closing ceremony on April 2.

The representatives of those involved in the project (Service Canada, the City of Montreal, the Borough of Saint-Laurent and others) discovered, through the creation of Olivier’s video, himself a "velo-gician", the serious work put in by these young people: involvement in schools to sensitize children to climate change, creation and interpretation of a song and workshops in bicycle mechanics, etc.

Anabel and Richard, coordinators of involvement and environment respectively, note that it was not easy every day. “But each one evolved a lot,” they said. These young people came with their difficulties and the fact of having achieved a project is very important for them."

An example? Guerland, one of the "velogicians" of this year, knows the benefits to keep on going. During the past months he followed training as a security agent. A little time ago, none of this would have been possible. "I received an advertisement in my mail box for the Vélogik project,” he said. “The bicycle, yes, that interested me. Then I was registered and a few months later I finished with a lot of satisfaction."

Participants of Vélogik, after having pedalled hard for six months, manage to get the proper directions. Éric started to work for a general hospital, Olivier is ready to plant trees, Pat will take on the world heading to Alberta in search of employment.

"There are results,” concluded Marc Grignon, director of CJE. “It proves that you can give a chance to these young people and give them confidence."

The fourth Vélogik showed that the social wheel could, with some support, turn. (Written by Sylvain Sarrasin, translated by Michael Beigleman)