Carrefour jeunesse-emploi de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CJEVS) successfully celebrated the launch of La BaraK tiers lieu with an afternoon and evening open house on November 7. La BaraK tiers lieu is a space dedicated to young people aged 18 to 35, designed to break down isolation and develop links to create community life in the area. It's an inclusive, sharing place where ideas emerge to help shape the place according to the needs and interests of the clientele.

As youth counsellor Sylvie Gauthier explained to Néomédia, "La BaraK tiers lieu enables young people aged 18 to 35 to break out of their isolation. For the time being,” she adds, ‘ La Barak tiers lieu will be open Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. ’.

“ The team has been working on this project for 3 years, and the summer has been particularly busy for the young people and staff to get everything in place,” says Jessica Myre, CJEVS Executive Director. She points out that, “ La Barak tiers lieu creates a community for young people to help each other, support each other and welcome diversity with open arms.”

The launch of La BaraK tiers lieu was marked, among other things, by the unveiling of the brand image presented by Maude, a young graphic designer from the communications committee, along with Jasmine Grenon and Alex Ringuette. The trio worked very hard to come up with the logo for La BaraK tiers lieu, in constant consultation with the CJEVS team and young people. The logo retains the idea of a house with a key inserted into it, as a visual identity.

It's through a short film made by participants : Josh, Émerik, Simone, Maude, Jasmine (music) and Opaline (images and editing), that we heard touching testimonials from young people, highlighting their involvement and commitment to the project. The video can be viewed on the La Barak tiers lieu Facebook page. 

The general manager underlined the involvement of the young people: “ Thank you to the young people, to the team and a special thank you to Sylvie Gauthier ,” she said. She also warmly thanked the members of her Board of Directors. She concluded by inviting those present not to hesitate to refer young people to La Barak tiers lieu.

Youth advisor Sylvie Gauthier addressed the assembly: “ We do a human job, which helps the person we are as much as the person we help. A former drama teacher, Gautier is proud of the opening of La Barak tiers lieu, noting: “ We have plans for this new space. These are not easy times for young people. We're working with partners to develop our objectives ”.

She reports that the keys to the new premises were handed over in July: “For most of the young people, this was their first experience of renovations, to succeed in creating a place of belonging that reflects their personality ”.

The day ended with a 5 à 7 where a number of young people, colleagues from the organization and the community came together. A presentation featuring photos of the young people involved in the renovation of the space highlighted the work accomplished since the space was first occupied.

Located at 286 avenue St-Charles, opposite Parc Valois, La BaraK tiers lieu will open its doors on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to 18-35 year-olds registered with CJEVS, starting next week. To find out what's on, visit La BaraK's Facebook page.

For more information on La BaraK tiers lieu location, programming and opening hours, please contact : Sylvie Gauthier, youth advisor at 450-455-3185, ext. 224 or by e-mail at [email protected].