Our Mission
A Youth House is an association of adults and young people who, on a voluntary basis, have taken on the “mission” of maintaining a vibrant meeting place for youth aged 12 to 17 within their community. Through contact with representative and meaningful adults, and by engaging in a wide range of projects, these young people can grow into active, critical, and responsible citizens.
The Waterloo Youth Center is a registered non-profit organization that brings together young people and adults around a shared project and the pursuit of jointly agreed-upon goals. This means that the youth establish a high-quality associative life where democracy truly comes to life.
Our Youth Center Reference Framework
Core Values: Equality, respect, inclusion, etc.
Educational Objectives: Personal development, socialization, autonomy.
Offered Activities: Workshops, events, projects.
Operating Rules: Expected behavior, safety rules.
Partnerships: Collaboration with other organizations or associations.
This framework helps create a positive and structured environment for young people, promoting their growth and engagement.
The “Living Environment” Principle in a Youth Center
The concept of a living environment in a youth center refers to creating a setting that supports the personal and social development of young people. Here are some key aspects of this principle:
Positive living environment: A welcoming and safe space where young people feel comfortable and free to express themselves.
Active participation: Encouraging youth to get involved in managing and organizing activities, thereby promoting their autonomy and sense of responsibility.
Trust-based relationships: Building strong connections between young people and staff, grounded in active listening and mutual respect.
Varied activities: Offering a wide range of activities that meet the needs and interests of youth, encouraging discovery and learning.
Inclusivity: Welcoming all young people, regardless of background, socio-economic status, or abilities, to promote diversity and equality.
Personalized support: Taking into account the individual needs of each young person, with tailored guidance and assistance.
By integrating these principles, the youth center aims to be a rich and formative living environment, where young people can develop their skills and self-confidence.
Our Affiliation with the Youth Center Network
Affiliation with a youth center network refers to a youth center’s membership in an organization that brings together multiple such structures. This offers several benefits, including:
Technical and logistical support: Access to resources, training, and tools to enhance management and activities.
Sharing best practices: Exchange of experiences and methods among member centers, fostering innovation and service improvement.
Visibility and recognition: Strengthening the legitimacy of the youth center within the community.
Collaboration and partnerships: Opportunities to work together on joint projects, organize events, or share resources.
Advocacy and representation: Representing the interests of youth centers to authorities and institutions, facilitating access to funding or support.
Our affiliation with the network helps strengthen our impact and improve the quality of services offered to youth.
L’Exit de Waterloo: Our History
L’Exit de Waterloo was founded in 1986 through the involvement of local citizens, young people, and the support of community organizers from the CLSC of Waterloo. Since 1992, we have been members of the Regroupement des Maisons des Jeunes du Québec (RMJQ), benefiting from their support and the strength of a collective voice to have our work recognized.
1995: Thanks to the efforts of an entire community, L’Exit celebrated the completion of the construction of its current youth center building, which it owns—offering a space for young people that is closely connected to nature.
2003: L’Exit acquired the lot adjacent to its property.
2008 & 2011: The old garage was transformed into a community hall with financial support from the MRC’s “Pacte Rural” program, allowing us to expand our range of activities and projects for youth and the wider community.
2018: Our kitchen was completely renovated.
2019: The passive solar greenhouse was completed, enhancing our mission to promote healthy lifestyle habits.
2022: Our smart garden came to life in collaboration with OBV Yamaska, reinforcing our commitment to environmental stewardship.
2024: L’Exit opened a satellite location in St-Joachim to meet the needs of youth in that area.
