Table Jeunesse Pontiac funds local projects

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Members of the Table Jeunesse Pontiac. Back row from left: Benjamin Hiard (Vice-president), Marie-France Aubrey, Kristie-Anne Godin (development agent), and Kari Richardson. Front from left: Sonia Denis, Émilie Graveline, and Pier-Luc Graveline (President). Absent from photo: Kim Laroche and Mishka Kucharik.

Allyson Beauregard

CAMPBELL’S BAY – For about eight years, the Table Jeunesse Pontiac (TJP) has offered two     programs, the Local Youth Initiative Fund and the Green Fund, that give grants up to $500 for Pontiac         residents between 12 and 35. “The types of projects funded are those that answer to the TJP priorities: identifying and creating a sense of belonging in the community;     developing entrepreneurship; arts / culture, sports / recreation; school perseverance; and the environment,” says Kristie-Anne Godin, Youth Councillor at the TJP.  
“We encourage people to develop new projects they can benefit from,” explains Godin. The Youth Initiative Fund provides up to $500 in funding to support the development of community and school-based projects, while the Green Fund offers up to $200 in funding for projects, activities, or events that focus on recycling and developing good environmental habits.
To apply for the grants, those interested can obtain a copy of the application form and a guide explaining the criteria for the grants from the TJP. Once the application is completed and emailed back to the TJP (tjp@cjepontiac.ca), the interested party must present the project to the TJP committee, who will evaluate the project and deliver a decision as soon as possible. The next deadline for 2014 is            March 31st.
“There’s a lot of initiative and drive in the Pontiac. The TJP offers the financial support needed to empower youth and adults in the area. The more visibility the TJP has, and the more projects that are funded, the more people will feel encouraged and motivated to expand their horizons. We want our youth to feel supported in their ambitions,” explains Godin.
In the past, the TJP has funded bullying awareness activities at Dr. Wilbert Keon School in L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, and the Ensemble Recyclons program at École Poupore and the Maison des Jeunes Youth Coop, among many others. 
“When taking into account the number of youth who have taken part in projects funded by the TJP, such as the youth leadership camp and our individual support of young entrepreneurs through our local Chamber of Commerce, I feel we’ve been very successful in promoting events and activities that motivate and encourage initiative and leadership,” concludes Godin.