About Avenues Montreal
Avenues Montreal works with out-of-high-school youth in Montreal and Laval to explore their options in education, employment, and community engagement.
Community Context
Many English-speaking youth in Montreal face challenges finding sustainable employment, particularly following academic disengagement, or periods of economic instability.
While services are available, these individuals may lack the awareness, confidence, and networks needed to access them effectively.
In addition, many youth are not yet ready to apply for jobs but are ready to take earlier steps such as improving language skills, addressing mental health or wellbeing needs, or reconnecting with education.
Current COF-Supported Projects
Avenues to Employment is a community-based initiative designed to create accessible entry points into employment for English-speaking youth using relationship-based outreach.
The project features:
- Monthly neighbourhood-based employability workshops
- Practical training in CV writing, interviews, and job-search strategies
- A capstone career fair to connect participants with potential employers
Workshops take place in familiar community settings and emphasize relationship-based outreach to maintain engagement, helping youth enter the workforce with greater confidence and sustained support. The project helps youth build employability skills, expand their networks, and take meaningful first steps toward work.
Connect to Work offers English-speaking youth in Montreal two to ten months of individualized employment assistance, paced to their readiness and circumstances.
The project features:
- Employment action plans, regular check-ins, and next-step guidance
- Résumé, cover-letter, interview, and job-application assistance
- Connections to employers, job fairs, networking events, and specialized services
- Mentorship, peer support, warm referrals, and job-retention follow-up
Participants also receive job postings and labour-market information, along with referrals to education, language training, wellbeing, or mental health services where needed. This allows participants to receive individualized support that helps them move toward employment at a pace that reflects their readiness and goals.
Website: Avenues Montreal