2007 winners

The Desjardins Annual Prize - Senior Citizen Assistance ($5,000)

DIRA-Laval inc., Laval

Since its opening in November 2002, DIRA-Laval defends the personal rights of seniors. Its mission: denounce injustices, inform, refer and assist seniors victim of violence, abuse, negligence or financial exploitation so they can deal with these problems and regain control of their lives. What makes DIRA-Laval unique is its ability to assist aggrieved persons in obtaining justice with government or legal bodies. The organization has 20 retirees from the fields of law, engineering, accounting, finance and health whose expertise meets the current needs of seniors victims of abuse.

The Desjardins Annual Prize - Economic Development - ($5,000)

Cible Retour à l'Emploi, Verdun

For the past 12 years, Cible Retour à l'Emploi has been developing methods and programs to facilitate access to the job market for unemployed individuals. The organization also takes part in the orientation and re-orientation of its clientele in suitable fields of employment. In 2006, it met with 2,300 people, 125 of which participated in the 15-day theory and hands-on Méthodes dynamiques de recherche d'emploi workshop. As a result, 42% of these participants found a job. Its labour inputs contribute largely to the vitality of the local and regional economy.

The Desjardins Annual Prize - Community Development ($5,000)

Groupe communautaire L'Itinéraire, Montreal

The social and professional reinsertion of homeless people in Montreal is the main focus of Groupe communautaire L'Itinéraire. Created in 1989, the organization offers a wide range of solutions to help the less fortunate: food service, psychosocial interventions with the participants, putting together and distributing L'Itinéraire magazine and the new 3^e oeil MagDVD magazine. Groupe communautaire L'Itinéraire contributes concretely towards increasing the autonomy, knowledge and creativity of people in difficulty.

The Desjardins Annual Prize - Youth Assistance ($5,000)

Les Grands Frères et Grandes Sœurs de Québec, Quebec City

Established in 1977, Les Grands Frères et Grandes Sœurs de Québecencourages the development of children and improves their well-being by pairing them with an adult. This adult then becomes a mentor, role model, friend who conveys family and social values. In addition to traditional pairing, the organization offers child safety program, helping relations training and group activities. Since December 2006, it also offers a new in-school mentoring program called Lire et Grandir which aims at improving the children's self-esteem and interest in school by pairing them with adults.

The Desjardins Annual Prize - Cultural Services ($5,000)

Théâtre Bluff, Laval

Théâtre Bluff is a creation company that encourages authors concerned about current social issues to speak up. For the past 16 years, the organization has been a place of open-minded thinking, which gives rise to questions and defies established conventions. Originally geared to teens, Théâtre Bluff is now for a 14-plus public and encourages generations to mix which often results in exceptional get-togethers and demythicize prejudices.

The Desjardins Annual Prize - Sustainable Development ($5,000)

Réno-Jouets, Québec

Since July 2002, Réno-Jouets offers consumers a wide variety of second-hand quality toys, at affordable prices, while promoting recuperation, reuse and recycling. Through its activities, the organization is able to give 40% of its toys to children from underprivileged families in Quebec and developing countries. About 30 volunteers give their time to the cause and a few jobs have been created for people having a difficult time with the job market. In addition, the organization welcomes and facilitates the integration of disabled people.