Y Stories

Dancing your heart out

Philippe Ivanescû, Break Dance Enthusiast
Yohan Cormier, Youth Zone Volunteer and Break Dance Enthusiast

Meeting Philippe and Yohan is like getting a jolt of pure vitamins. One of them, a 13-year-old, likes nothing better than dancing on his head. He is totally (and very energetically!) dedicated to his favourite sport. The other one is 18 years old. He’s a tall, young man with a casual and carefree style who, in addition to break dancing, also practices variations like popping, house and locking. So, you think they’re crazy about dancing?

In the Youth Zone where the rule is “Come As You Are”, youth play billiards, ping-pong, video games and chess. They are also involved in a variety of activities, such as basketball, kickboxing, theatre and, of course, break dancing. Above all, they learn how to have fun and relax, while playing by the rules and respecting other people.

“I like all the sports…” said Philippe, “soccer, hockey, badminton, but I like break dancing best.” Every Friday since last September, the young teen of Romanian origin meets up with twenty or so dancers from the Downtown Y centre to fine-tune his technique and learn new moves.

Yohan, who has been a student for the past two years, noticed how much progress his friend made and has encouraged him to persevere. With a smile that can light up a room and his friendly face, Yohan is a reassuring role model for younger dancers. He’s a volunteer at the Y's Youth Zone several times a week in a role that comes naturally to him. “I have fun, but I make sure that everything runs smoothly too. I just like being here. That’s all.”

Summer’s coming and the two youth have plenty of plans. Yohan is going to visit his mother in France where he’ll be setting up computer workstations in schools. His dream is to become a video game developer. Philippe will be spending his holidays in Florida with the whole family. “I like planes and I like traveling. I’d like to become a flight attendant, later on,” he said convincingly. We think he’d make a mighty fine professional break dancer.

A bond of trust

Francis Gascon, Volunteer
Nayoud Feddak, Participant

There clearly is a strong connection between Francis Gascon, a Homework Help volunteer at the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve Y centre, and 8-year old Nayoud Feddak. It shows in the way they look at each other and laugh together.

Nayoud has attended the Y since he was in Grade 1. He loves the Homework Help program, because he meets other kids like himself and older ones too, like Francis. And when Homework Helps is over at the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve Y Centre, they switch to recreational activities. “With Francis, we play ‘whale-in-the-water’ games. We play hockey. We tell jokes and laugh like crazy!” said Nayoud, with a delighted look on his face.

Francis discovered the Y a year ago during an internship that is part of his CEGEP training in social work. He stayed on as a volunteer in the Homework Help program and day camp counsellor. He finds working with children very gratifying. He likes to see their obvious pleasure and pride when they solve a problem or do well at school. “Nayoud is so proud when he brings me his dictations to show me how much progress he’s made.”

The ties between Nayoud and Francis go beyond Homework Help and playing. When Nayoud has questions or problems, he talks to Francis. “I consider that a great show of trust,” confided Francis. “I realize that I have a responsibility toward him and that I’m somewhat of a role model. I hope that by helping Nayoud and the other children with their studies, I’ll be helping them succeed in life.”

Nayoud found a friendly environment at the Y and a big brother with whom he has lots of fun. Nayoud’s smile and the warm atmosphere at the Y have given Francis greater self-confidence, which he admits he was lacking before.

A solid friendship

Gaëlle Bermond Tshilambo, Former Participant and Current Volunteer
Michel Metellus, Staff Member

The first time Gaëlle went to the Du Parc Y centre, she was 13 years old. The formerly insecure teenager seeking an anchor of some kind has blossomed into a smiling, self-confident 20-year-old, who now volunteers in the same Youth Zone that helped her grow up.

Gaëlle first registered in the Tae Kwon Do program and was later recruited to the basketball team. She soon felt that she was on friendly ground. Gaëlle found other teens like herself in the Youth Zone and in the centre at large. She also found open, non-judgmental and non-critical adults who knew how to set limits and earn your respect. “There’s enough freedom here to make you want to come back.”

Above all, she found an adult who knew how to listen, understood her needs and offered some advice: Michel Metellus, a graduate in Physical Education, who is now the coordinator of the Youth Zone. He is Gaëlle’s longtime confidant and mentor. Why him? “Gaëlle was raised by a single mother and they were often at odds about things,” Michel explained. “She needed a father figure who could set limits in what she considered an acceptable way. And she chose me!”

They clearly have the greatest respect for each other. “Gaëlle is an intelligent girl. She needed and was looking for help,” said Michel, who is clearly proud of his protégée. “Michel was always there. When I was in crisis mode, I’d come and see him.” When the time was right, Michel told Gaëlle that she didn’t need him anymore; she could stand on her own two feet.

Today, what ties them together is their solid friendship and shared laughter. Their friendship is further backed by their unfailing commitment to the Youth Zone—a place of many ties as influential as their own.