In the beginning ... La Relance Outaouais!

From 1982 to 2007:

Over the past 25 years, La Relance has become well entrenched in the Outaouais region. Since May 3rd 1982, the organization has grown in several directions. Our main focus has been to help integrate people into the workforce. The employees, administrators, partners, funders and clients-participants are all part of the fundamental roots of La Relance Outaouais. Now, let us tell its history...

From 1982 to 1988: Early childhood

Jacques Bertrand and Denise Descoeurs, a psychologist and a criminologist respectively, started up this organization. Together, they initiated La Relance-Atelier for workforce adjustment.

Bursting with ideas, both of them decided to create the first organization focusing on employment integration in Quebec. Through their determination, they succeeded in obtaining a management contract with a Gulf Canada service station. The first victory for La Relance! In 1984, a car-wash was built.

Two years later, Hebdo-Ménage was created. This second business also focused on employment integration by offering industrial and commercial cleaning services.

Using their talent and innovative mindset, they decided to initiate an experimental project called « Job Placement Club ».

In the 1990's: A difficult adolescence

In 1991, the Employment assistance services project was initiated and has helped hundreds of people since.

Five years later, Vélo communautaire +, an integration program targeting young people between the ages of 18 and 29 was created. La Relance was recognized for this initiative and received both the Pomme d'or prize from the city of Hull and was also awarded in 1998 le Grand Prix du tourisme québécois for the Outaouais region. Three years later, given evolving market trends and needs, Vélo communautaire + program was discontinued.

During the month of June 1998, a merger took place between La Relance and Outaouais Travail. This synergy resulted in the Specialized service for people with disabilities (SSPD).

In 1999, La Relance came to the rescue of an ailing organization that was under threat of closing its doors. Their business sorted cardboard and paper while employing people with functional limitations. The ability to help would not have been possible without the temporary support of Rebuts solides Canadiens (RSC), the anti-poverty Fund and the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec (OPHQ). This project provided 18 jobs to the disabled.

The new millenium: Young Adulthood

An environmental consciousness evolves as La Relance assumes the management of the Computers for Schools Technology Centre (CFSTC) for the Outaouais region.

In 2002, it's a celebration! La Relance Outaouais enjoys its 20 year anniversary!

The next year, the Centre for integration of disabled persons in corporate settings is established.

The projects continue and in 2004, the management of a program to prepare, train and integrate young people, aged 16 and 17, is created. The next year, a car wash at the Centre esthétique automobile F1 (114 Montcalm Street) is fully operational.

In 2005, La Relance ventures into unknown territory by operating a coffee shop called Croc-mignon. Unfortunately, after just a year, Croc-mignon closes down for financial reasons.

In 2006, a project to sensitive employers about hiring disabled persons is created. Furthermore, La Relance launches a new service named the Tuesday evening employment.

2007: Already a quarter of a century!

The highlight of 2007 was certainly the celebration of the 25th anniversary of La Relance Outaouais! To mark the 25th, a collection of texts which tells the story of the revival Outaouais was published. In addition, a advertising booklet was distributed in September to more than 30 000 copies through the newspaper Le Droit.

In March 2007, La Relance Outaouais received the prize awarded of the Entrepreneur of the Year by the Regroupement des gens d'affaires de la Capitale nationale (RGA).

La Relance Outaouais also inaugurated the opening of its newest business, Valoritec, in December. It is an enterprise upgrading electronic equipment and dedicated to the integration into employment of people with functional limitations.

Finally, about promotion and information, La Relance Outaouais concocted its new website in autumn. And finally the Services employment assistance have developed the new Retirement-Work Harmony. The retirees can count on our experienced advisers if they want to return to work. 

2008 : A new era begins!

In February 2008, the award Personality of the Year Radio-Canada/Le Droit was awarded to the CEO of La Relance Outaouais, Jacques Bertrand.

In April 2008, Valoritec has distinguished itself by winning the first prize in the category "small business or institution", prize given by the first Gala of excellence in environment in the Outaouais.

On 21 May 2008, the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail has awarded an honorable mention to Valoritec for his significant contribution to the development of skills in workplace.

In June 2008, under the annual conference of the Collectif des entreprises d'insertion du Québec, fifteen members have received from Emploi Québec plates confirming their accreditation as an enterprise, including La Relance Outaouais.

In November 2008, during the Gala des gens d'affaires 2008, La Relance Outaouais won the Excelor award in the "Investment Project" category for its recycling business, Valoritec.
 

Démarcheurs d'emploi is another initiative created by La Relance Outaouais during the year. This is an individual approach of employment for people newly enrolled in aid of last resort (social assistance) or for repetitive applicants. This program aim is the integration and maintenance of these people.

2008 was also marked by the return in force of Centre d'intégration en bureautique adaptée. After 2 years of absence, the training program of 48 weeks allows more than 15 individuals with a physical or psychological problem to integrate into the workplace in jobs related to the office place.

Finally, in the Integration Enterprises Program, the paid internship is increased to 20 weeks.