We have been working in the high-priority neighbourhoods of Montreal since 2017, starting with the community of Saint-Michel (2017-2022).
In February 2021, we were awarded funding by the Montreal Canadiens to establish a girls-only program in Montreal-Nord which is a predominantly black community. The students represent countries such as Ghana, Congo, Angola, and Haiti.
In January 2023, we launched a Diverse Girls Program in Saint-Laurent. This is our first program working with girls between the ages of 10-12 (grades 5 & 6) and was made possible thanks to Georges Laraque, NHL/NHLPA Player Inclusion Coalition, Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Osler, and Côte Saint-Luc Canucks.
“We often talk about equality and inclusion, and it also includes girls,” said former Montreal Canadiens player, Georges Laraque. “This foundation provides free equipment to these girls, and we’re teaching them how to skate, it’s just awesome.”
The Montreal-Nord and Saint-Laurent communities are underrepresented when it comes to access to recreation centres. In 2021, Hockey 4 Youth took the city of Montreal to task for not giving providing us with ice time at a local arena which is a short 3-minute walk from Henri-Bourassa High School (French). "I'm not going to stand by and watch young people be denied access to recreation facilities," said Hockey 4 Youth founder, Moezine Hasham. "All we're saying is can you turn [some free skating time] into an opportunity for young people — in this case it's going to be 30 girls who have never skated before, never played hockey. Let's give them an opportunity to get out onto the ice."