Project Media

A project addressing the need for more arts related programming to reach youth. Specifically those who are marginalized and facing barriers to employment and education.

 Jill Prescesky 

 Janice Dayle

 Tia Dayle

Local

To be eligible, the youth (16-30 yrs.) had to be out of school and out of work.

This project evolved around a kitchen table, where four motivated mothers, with a vested interest in their community, committed themselves to addressing the need for more arts related programming to reach youth. Specifically those who are marginalized and facing barriers to employment and education. Concern for young people in our community dramatically increased after several violent incidents. One proved fatal as a 15 year old was shot and left to die in an alley close to home. Since that tragic event, we have spent many hours meeting with community organizations, three levels of government, professional mentors in media, educational and cultural institutions. Project Media is the direct result of a fruitful collaboration. Predominantly funded by the federal government, six participants were chosen to partake in this paid learning adventure. To be eligible, the youth (16-30 yrs.) had to be out of school and out of work. They participated in a 20 week program designed to develop employability and life skills such as team building, critical thinking and organization (time management). A French component addressed the emotional and cultural barriers to acquiring a second language.In each task-based workshop, facilitated by professional mentors Janice Dayle (radio) and Phyllis Lewis (video), participants explored community issues such as gay bashing, graffiti, sex, drugs, and police brutality. Their final products continue to be shared throughout the community.Other workshops included employability, collective cooking, and art in public places. Participants also helped out with local community initiatives such as recuperating and distributing food and laying the stones in a community garden.

Established: April 1997
Umbrella Organization: Saint Raymonds

video production

music production

radio

Designed to develop employability and life skills such as team building, critical thinking and organization (time management). A French component addressed the emotional and cultural barriers to acquiring a second language.

In each task-based video and radio workshop, facilitated by professional mentors, participants explored community issues such as gay bashing, graffiti, sex, drugs, and police brutality. Their final products continue to be shared throughout the community.

Other workshops included employability, collective cooking, and art in public places. Participants also helped out with local community initiatives such as recuperating and distributing food and laying the stones in a community garden.

Length of Program: 20 weeks

Community article

Many partners contributed workshops, services and support:

Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi N.D.G.

Ville de Montreal

Commission scolaire de Montreal

Head and Hands

Caisse Desjardins N.D.G.

McGill University

CKUT (radio McGill)

The Segal Centre for the Performing Arts

Ministre de l’immigration et des communautés culturelles

The English Montreal School Board

National Film Board of Canada‘s website, CITIZENShift

YES (Youth Employment Services)

MUCS (Montreal Urban Community Sustainment)

Mu-Art

N.D.G.Food Depot

St. Raymond Residents Association

CDEC(Corporation de développement économique communautaire Cote de neiges/Notre Dame de Grace)

Community Council and Services Canada