The only street worker in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Olivier Michel has become a trusted adult for many young people over the past three years. Dedicated to improving their quality of life, he supports them in their projects, their problems and their challenges.
In a park near Habitations Séguin, Mr. Michel humbly sums up the work he does within the organization Pointe-de-l’Île prevention in the neighborhood. By ensuring a presence in parks, near schools, in short, “where there are young people”, it works to “listen, support and refer” them in complete confidentiality.
“For example, you have an interview, you are stressed you need someone to go? I come with you. This is the first time that you are going to be tested, you are nervous, I am going to accompany you to the CLSC ”, he illustrates.
Always keeping an eye on the young people around him, he stops to help a young person in his search for jobs. Shortly after, he spots a young girl whom he sees hesitating to mingle with other young people. “They are more afraid of you than you are afraid of them!”
Salim, community worker for Prevention Pointe-de-l’Île, takes advantage of these interventions to stress the importance of Mr. Michel’s presence in the field. This is essential work for young people, but also for their colleagues in their intervention work. “It is a very necessary job here, it is our sentinel to see all the problems within the district.”
Accommodation, an issue in the East
Mr. Michel does not go through four paths, the young people he supports experience many issues: problems of all kinds with their parents, dropping out of school, drug use.
However, it is the lack of accommodation resources in the east of Montreal that represents the major issue, he argues. A complex situation when a young person has to leave the family environment for a conflict.
Some then turn to the couchsurfing, which also brings its share of problems. Others must be sent to resources outside the borough.
“This youngster, I must do all I can to mediate with the parents. Otherwise, I have no option. You bring him to a resource downtown, with people who take hard drugs, serious crime. And there you lose it. “
Keep young people busy
Street worker for 6 years, including three in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Mr. Michel says he loves his job. He concedes, however, that the past year has brought its share of challenges. “Young people are more depressed. And with the curfew, the eyes I had before, I had them a little less. “
In order to keep young people hooked, Mr. Michel also organizes activities from time to time. At the end of the interview, he left to lead a workshop that he set up for young people to create volunteer activities.
“It gives them a bit of experience, to see their limits, their abilities. It is important that young people do something, because when they do nothing, it’s a mess, ”he laughs.
“But it’s also an issue. There is not much for young people to do in Pointo. ”
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