An 18-year-old Montrealer who spent her entire youth in a youth center is determined to put the lie to the statistics. When only a quarter of young people in the DPJ complete their secondary school education, the latter are studying to become lawyers or even forensic pathologists.
“I never knew a girl like that [a] complete [son] Secondary level 5,” complains Keteline, referring to her years working for the Director of Youth Protection (DPJ). Therefore, it is important for them to realize their educational dreams and show that it is possible.
Having just come of age, she speaks openly but would prefer to keep her last name secret. Keteline was only 8 years old when her mother died. She then went to her father's house, where she experienced great difficulties that led to behavioral problems, she says.
At the age of 11 she was sent to a youth center and lived in various DPJ group homes throughout her youth.
Financial support
She now flies alone, but continues to receive support, particularly financial support from the DPJ Youth Foundation, to help her start her adult life.
“The fact that they helped me [à payer] My studies are much less stressful. And it’s very encouraging,” she says happily.
She is currently completing a CEGEP degree in Legal Techniques and is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Law. “I’ve always been interested,” she whispers. As a true crime lover, she also sees herself being called up as a forensic pathologist in a few years.
To pay in advance
Thanks to her job at Tel-jeunes, she also uses her experiences at the DPJ to help other young people in difficulty.
“There are many situations in which young people call us that are similar to the ones I experienced. “I thought it was a job that would suit me well,” emphasizes the shy young woman.
Because she makes no secret of it, life in a youth center is not always easy. It is an “intense” living environment in which young people are sometimes in crisis and in which tensions are often palpable.
“We all contribute to the climate, but it can be difficult,” she says. His escape options were singing and athletics.
Against stress
The DPJ Youth Foundation financed her singing lessons, which helped her enormously in dealing with stress, says Keteline.
The foundation then covered the costs of his training and equipment for running and long jumping. “It allowed me to go out [du centre jeunesse]», remembers the person who even took part in provincial championships.
An injury ended her sporting career, but she still sings today… “in the shower,” laughs Keteline.
“It has an impact on our lives, our future,” she argues, referring to the financial support the foundation receives. That's why she agreed to talk about it publicly.
In addition, the DPJ Youth Foundation is currently running its major Christmas campaign to raise funds to help the children of the DPJ next year.
Big challenges
- In Quebec, more than 42,000 young people are supported by the DPJ
- One in three young people from the DPJ experiences at least one episode of homelessness over the course of their life
- Only 25% of them have completed school by the age of 19
- In the period 2022-2023, the foundation financially supported 107 young people from the DPJ to continue their post-secondary studies
- Beyond their studies, the foundation supports hundreds of young people between the ages of 16 and 25 in their transition to adult life.
Source: DPJ Youth Foundation
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