En Marge 12-17

En Marge 12-17 is a Canadian nonprofit organization and registered charity dedicated to supporting youth aged 12 to 17 who are experiencing homelessness or street involvement. Founded with the mission to provide more than just shelter and meals, the organization focuses on helping young people discover alternatives to street life by fostering personal development, life skills, and responsible decision-making[2].

Mission and Objectives

En Marge 12-17's primary mission is to offer a safe and welcoming space where at-risk youth can feel at home and supported. Intervention workers engage with youth on a voluntary basis, developing connections that empower them to reflect on their situations and explore future possibilities. The organization emphasizes maintaining young people as active agents in their own process of change and self-realization[2].

Key goals include:

• Providing safe housing and opportunities for youth to develop life skills and self-esteem.
• Supporting responsible decision-making among youth.
• Offering guidance and support to parents of street-involved youth to help them fulfill their parental roles despite challenging circumstances.
• Collaborating with community organizations to prevent youth homelessness, defend the rights of marginalized youth, and raise awareness about the realities of running away and street life[2].

Services

En Marge 12-17 delivers a range of services primarily based in Montréal, Quebec, oriented towards youth and families:

• Emergency and short-term shelter providing 24/7 access to safe accommodation.
• Case management that supports both minors and adults.
• Street outreach and harm reduction services.
• Sector-specific training offered during business hours for adults.

The organization provides services in both English and French and is inclusive of all gender identities and nationalities, serving citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals[4].

Recognition and Support

En Marge 12-17 is officially registered under the Canadian Revenue Agency as a charitable organization (Business Registration Number: 898131438RR0001) and complies with CRA regulations[2]. It receives financial support from community organizations such as Centraide du Grand Montréal, which allocated $108,400 for the fiscal year 2024–2025 to aid the organization’s intervention sector[5].

Community Impact

Through its comprehensive approach combining shelter, personal development, family support, and social advocacy, En Marge 12-17 plays a critical role in reducing youth homelessness and facilitating positive change for marginalized young populations in the Montréal area[2][5].