Over the months, several former employees and volunteers from the disappeared resource came together to found a new organization with a more diversified offering and based in a maple grove in Roxton Pond.
“Nature is really a good player, all the studies show it,” says Marie-Josée Boutin, general director of Terre & pairs.
“Peace, observation, taking responsibility, these are things that are not always possible in an urban environment.”
If all goes well, Terre & pairs will offer maple syrup production, forestry, cabinetmaking and customer service activities, in nature and as often as possible in groups, to clients suffering from serious and persistent mental health problems.
The person must be aware of their problems, not have any major consumption problems or risky behavior, be referred by a community partner and be willing to maintain the link with their psychosocial worker.
Around ten people could be on the Érablière des Générations site, located on Chemin du Golf, at the same time.
“We’re reaching very diverse profiles and interests of the participants,” says Ms. Boutin. “It will be as much for manual people as for those who prefer customer service.”
Authorisation
The new organization was officially founded this week, one month after the Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec gave the green light for its activities to be held at the Roxton maple grove.
Terre & pairs must, however, obtain the approval of the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS in order to obtain the necessary funding. Transportation and insurance will also be issues.
But Marie-Josée Boutin is hopeful that the new organization will be recognized.
“It’s relevant, the need is there and we’re not duplicating any services,” she says. “There are organizations that are already directing participants to us!”
Around ten volunteers also raised their hands to offer their services, including specialists in maple syrup production, agri-food and cabinetmaking.
They will support three employees: the general manager, a psychosocial worker and a platform coordinator.
“People who live with mental health problems are eager to learn and have the desire to be active, to develop, to integrate and to achieve,” emphasizes the organization’s president, Luc Racicot, in a press release.
“Our program will allow them to meet these needs and develop healthy lifestyle habits by having sustained contact with nature.”
Officials hope to begin operations next spring.
