Dawson Centre in crisis

"We're here for the people. We want to help everyone and we try to do the best possible, with the means that we have. I wish the government would take a minute to think about the fact that the kids, instead of being on the street, are in our centre," stated Eileen Beaudoin, the receptionist responsible for donations at the Dawson Centre.

Board members of various community and recreational organizations are confronted daily with new financial realities and constantly rising costs of living. Heating, electricity, telephone bills are on the rise, while revenues remain stagnant. Administration boards also have to pay staff members who are worked to the bone. "We’re lacking money to cover our regular activities. We receive financing per project, but that doesn't solve the problem. It sometimes leads us to plan activities that aren't really connected to the organization's main mission," explains Line St-Amour.

The lack of money directly influences the quality of services offered by community organizations. "We always want to offer nutritional choices, like fresh fruit and juice, to the children whose parents don't have the means to supply them with a snack, but that costs too much. If we don't have the money, we simply can't," continues Mrs. St-Amour.

In the eventuality that the lack of funds becomes a serious problem, positions may be cut, reducing the number of activities offered to youngsters. The centre would be forced to close its doors during the weekend, leaving kids on the street, according to Eileen Beaudoin. Some of them would even lose access to essential services. "We help seniors do their groceries. A bus takes them to the grocery store every two weeks. People need us," explains Mrs. Beaudoin.

The best defense against the lack of money currently remains raising awareness among the community. Since 2006, the Fédération québécoise des centres communautaires de loisirs has been leading that fight, according to Line St-Amour. "I sometimes have the feeling that the people in charge of government aren't always aware of the efforts made by the centres to survive. Citizens should know that there's a problem. Our work is important for those in need. In Verdun, there are a number of families whose financial status is weak," reveals Line St-Amour.

The Dawson Centre comes to the assistance of approximately 700 people annually; 425 families with children under the age of 18. In total, approximately 400,000 people frequent Quebec community and recreational centres every year.

Community and recreational centres are seeking $2.8 M from the Quebec government in additional funding, to ensure that they continue to remain accessible to the majority of the families that need them. In all centres, there is talk of program cuts and cost increases, a situation that will be "unacceptable", when one considers the needs of the population.