2010 winners

Youth Assistance – 1 prize of $5,000

Les Amis du Jardin de Doris, Matane
Yvette Dumont, General Manager
Member of the Caisse Desjardins de Varennes

Les Amis du Jardin de Doris is a non-profit organization in May 2002 by a group of people working in horticulture in Matane. This organizations has carried out several rehabilitation projects, including the Horti-jeunes project to help young students acquire basic horticultural and woodworking skills. In partnership with Les Jardins de Doris and using the garden as a work setting, the students created a tourist attraction which now ranks among the top 50 most beautiful gardens in Quebec, according to La Presse.

Economic Development – 1 prize of $5,000

Village d'accueil des Hautes-Laurentides, Kiamika
France Tremblay, Operations Manager
Member of the Caisse populaire Desjardins de la Basse-Lièvre

Since 2006, Village d'accueil des Hautes-Laurentides has been offering short stays to French-speaking tourists who are looking for a typical Quebec experience. Travellers stay with families, which promotes camaraderie and human contact and provides travellers with the opportunity to discover rural areas through activities tailored to their interests. In 2009, Village d'accueil des Hautes-Laurentides matched 1,490 tourists with 78 host families.

Community Services – 1 prize of $5,000

Coalition des familles homoparentales, Montreal
Mona Greenbaum, Manager
Member of the Caisse Desjardins Ahuntsic-Viel

Coalition des familles homoparentales defends the rights of children of gay parents and of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual parents and expecting parents. This organization fights for the legal and social recognition of these families. Various education and intervention methods are used, such as the training activity "Regards sur les familles homoparentales", to raise awareness on this issue and to better meet children's needs. Approximately 60 training activities were held in Quebec's 11 administrative regions.

Senior Citizen Assistance – 1 prize of $5,000

Centre d'aide et d'action bénévole de Charlesbourg
Julie Mayrand, Manager
Member of the Caisse populaire Desjardins de Charlesbourg

The Centre d'aide et d'action bénévole de Charlesbourg (CAABC) provides support to people in need, particularly the elderly who live alone and are isolated. The organization also offers many services and promotes volunteerism and community action. In 2007, the "Aînés-nous à nous aider!" project enabled 148 isolated seniors to find out about and take advantage of the services available to them to improve their quality of life. This project also encourages volunteer involvement and respect for seniors in the community.

Cultural Services – 1 prize of $5,000

Musée des beaux-arts de Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Marie-Andrée Leclerc, General Manager
Member of the Caisse Desjardins de Beloeil-Mont-Saint-Hilaire

The Musée des beaux-arts de Mont-Saint-Hilaire fine arts museum works to preserve the memory and the legacy of artists Jordi Bonet, Paul-Émile Borduas and Ozias Leduc. Its goals also include the democratization of contemporary art through educational and cultural activities while providing a prestigious showcase for artists from the region and beyond. The museum presents 7 to 8 solo and group exhibits per year as well as the popular competition exhibit that brings together 150 visual artists.

Sustainable Development – 1 prize of $5,000

Coopérative de solidarité de la réserve de la biosphère du Lac-Saint-Pierre, Baie-du-Febvre
René Raiche, General Manager
Member of the Caisse populaire Desjardins Pierre-De Saurel

The mission of Coopérative de solidarité de la Réserve de la biosphère du Lac Saint-Pierre is the sustainable development of tourism. The organization works with and for the benefit of the region's community. The cooperative proposes community projects that focus on interdisciplinarity, intergenerational relationships and participative governance to achieve sustainable development.