Nov. 21 2022
Sylvie began her journey in education in 1994 when she enrolled in a Bachelor of Education in Preschool and Elementary Education at Laval University. During her second year of studies, she discovered a poster from what was then known as Frontier College/Collège Frontière in Toronto. Intrigued by the poster, she decided to call the number provided and expressed her interest in volunteering. She soon received a canvas bag filled with basic promotional materials, such as posters and pamphlets. This marked the beginning of her adventure with Frontier College.
With the materials she received, Sylvie quickly recruited four or five volunteers, mostly from the field of education. This small team set out to recruit learners at the Reading Tents on St-Joseph Street, a space that served people facing homelessness and financial difficulties. The volunteers quickly realized that they had to act fast to provide books and educational resources to those in need, many of whom had uncertain living situations. The volunteers also organized Reading Tents at the Summer Festival and in local libraries, where they collected and distributed free books to the community. Many people they met through these efforts became volunteers themselves.
Sylvie and her team’s first partnership was with the Centre Louis-Jolliet, an adult education center. This partnership allowed them to refer learners with more consistent schedules to the program. However, challenges arose as some learners struggled with motivation, frequent absences, or dropping out, which was discouraging for the student volunteers. To maintain the momentum, it became clear that they needed individuals who believed in the mission and were committed to staying involved. Over time, they gathered people from diverse backgrounds, creating a rich and vibrant group of learners and tutors.
One of Sylvie's most memorable moments was working on the group’s charter to gain recognition as an extracurricular student association at Laval University. This achievement provided them with a dedicated space to hold meetings, store materials, and train new volunteers. This move significantly boosted the credibility and recognition of the organization, allowing it to expand and plan for the future.
After graduating, Sylvie lost touch with the group, which made her feel guilty for leaving so suddenly. However, the group continued its work thanks to the efforts Sylvie had made during her studies. Sylvie's initiative laid the foundation for Frontier College activities in Laval University and Quebec City, which continue today.
Several years ago, Sylvie crossed paths with Mylène Moisan, a columnist for the Québec newspaper Le Soleil, and the mother of one of Sylvie's students. They were pleasantly surprised to discover they had both volunteered for Frontier College around the same time, forging an immediate connection.
Recently, Sylvie met another Mylène—Mylène Bussières, Community Coordinator at United for Literacy in Québec City—whose child was also in Sylvie's class. Mylène visited the class to speak about her work in community organizations. After her talk, Sylvie showed her a newspaper article from the early days of Frontier College’s activities in Quebec City, which she had saved and laminated.
Before the interview ended, Sylvie shared an important message: “The small seed we plant today can bear fruit tomorrow and continue to grow into the future.” Her words remain a testament to the lasting impact of small, positive changes in our communities.
If you would like to make a difference, volunteer with us and help continue this important work in the community.
