{"id":37535,"date":"2025-12-04T11:51:51","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T16:51:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fondationjeunesentete.org\/?p=37535"},"modified":"2025-12-04T11:51:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T16:51:51","slug":"emilie-bedard-remporte-le-prix-jeunesse-engagee-par-excellence-en-philanthropie-de-lafp-quebec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fondationjeunesentete.org\/en\/2025\/12\/04\/emilie-bedard-remporte-le-prix-jeunesse-engagee-par-excellence-en-philanthropie-de-lafp-quebec\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00c9milie B\u00e9dard remporte le prix Jeunesse engag\u00e9e par excellence en philanthropie de l\u2019AFP Qu\u00e9bec"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u00c9milie B\u00e9dard wins AFP Quebec\u2019s Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy <\/h1>

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\u00c9milie B\u00e9dard wins AFP Quebec\u2019s Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy <\/h1>

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Well-deserved recognition for an inspiring young woman <\/h2>

Youth in Mind Foundation is immensely proud to highlight the recognition given to <\/span>\u00c9milie B\u00e9dard<\/span><\/b>, co-winner of the 2025 <\/span>Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy<\/span><\/b><\/a> presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Quebec)<\/span><\/b> on November\u202f12, alongside fellow recipient Marie-F\u00e9e Pellerin.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This award honours young philanthropists (age 25 and under) who, through their commitment, leadership, and generosity, have made an outstanding contribution to advancing a cause. In \u00c9milie\u2019s case, her commitment was a deeply personal one: to support the mental health of young people.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

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From Thetford Mines to Ottawa: One step at a time<\/h2>

In 2024, at just 16\u202fyears old, <\/span>\u00c9milie took on her One Step at a Time challenge: a 600\u202fkm\u2013plus run between Thetford Mines and Ottawa<\/span><\/a>, during which she would run a half-marathon (about 21\u202fkm) every day for a month.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Her goal? To raise money for Youth in Mind Foundation\u2019s teen mental health initiatives while also raising public and political awareness of the importance of prevention from an early age.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Thanks to her determination and the support of her community, \u00c9milie surpassed her goal of $10,000 and raised <\/span>over $22,000!<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Her journey ended in the most beautiful way: On <\/span>August 2, 2024<\/span><\/b>, after <\/span>600\u202fkm of running<\/span><\/b>, \u00c9milie crossed the finish line at <\/span>Parliament in Ottawa<\/span><\/b>, cheered on by her entire family.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>It was an emotional moment for her\u2014and for us!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A few weeks later, on <\/span>September\u202f17<\/span><\/b>, \u00c9milie and Youth in Mind Foundation were <\/span>invited to the Quebec National Assembly<\/span><\/b>, where her One Step at a Time campaign was publicly honoured in <\/span>a statement by the Member for Lotbini\u00e8re\u2013Frontenac, Isabelle Lecours<\/span><\/b>, formerly Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education. It was a memorable moment of recognition for this deserving young ambassador for mental health!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″]

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A source of inspiration for thousands of youth<\/h2>

\u00c9milie\u2019s fundraiser was more than <\/span>an impressive physical challenge<\/span><\/a>; it also sparked a conversation about youth mental health in schools and <\/span>in the media<\/span><\/a> across the province.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To date, her challenge has reached nearly five million people via more than 30 news reports on TV, radio, and in print.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00c9milie\u2019s efforts also inspired her own high school, Polyvalente de Thetford Mines, to hold Youth in Mind workshops for its students, providing them with concrete tools to better understand and support their mental well-being.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A hope-filled and heartfelt speech<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the ceremony, \u00c9milie delivered a deeply moving speech, filled with sincerity and gratitude:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood evening everyone,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

First of all, I\u2019d like to thank the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the members of the jury for this tremendous honour. I never thought that One Step at a Time would lead me here tonight. Thank you for believing in my project and in the importance of youth mental health.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019d also like to say a huge thank you to Youth in Mind Foundation. Their dynamic team supported me through every step of the project, from communications to fundraising. I feel so fortunate to be part of the big Youth in Mind family. I would also like to thank the Foundation for its unwavering dedication to young people and their mental health. It\u2019s an incredible support organization for Quebec teens, offering free workshops in schools, turnkey toolkits, and a website full of resources and touching testimonials that help parents and kids feel less alone in the face of psychological distress. On behalf of Quebec\u2019s youth, thank you.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I share this award with my family, because One Step at a Time is as much their project as it is mine. They were there for me when I was struggling with my mental health. And my family continued to be there for me when, once I\u2019d recovered, I came up with the idea to launch One Step at a Time, because youth mental health is as important to them as it is to me. Today, my family continues to support me in my dream of helping young people who are suffering psychologically. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll end by saying this: for those of you struggling to cope with a mental health problem, you\u2019re not alone. I know this battle seems endless and exhausting, but I promise you, you can come out the other side, one step at a time.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Her words authentically embody the values of courage, empathy, and mutual aid that drive the Foundation and inspire young people across Quebec.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Leadership that shines through <\/h2>

\u00c9milie\u2019s journey is a source of inspiration and a striking reminder that young people have the power to make a real difference. Her fundraiser has had a tangible impact on the Foundation:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n