Program: Alternative suspension

Alternative suspension

Encouraging perseverance, one kid at a time.

The first indicators of a student’s risk of disengagement are the history of suspensions and other disciplinary measures. Traditional school suspensions are counter-productive and increase the risk that they will be repeated and lead to dropping out.

Alternative Suspension, offered at the Hamilton site, is a dropout prevention programme designed to counter these risk factors. The primary objective of the programme, initially developed by The YMCAs of Québec in Montreal, is to offer young people the opportunity to transform this time of suspension into a positive experience in order to reintegrate harmoniously into school. The programme fosters personal development and autonomy through integration into an environment conducive to personal enhancement and the acquisition of tools enabling young people to deal with the various difficulties they encounter during their school career.