Celebrating 25 Years of Sports as a Form of Psychosocial Intervention

Psychosocial intervention plays a crucial role in young people’s development and sports has proven to be a particularly effective tool. By offering a space that promotes youth development, builds confidence, and encourages social integration, sports go beyond just exercise.

The Bien dans mes baskets sports program: 25 years of success

For 25 years, the Bien dans mes baskets program has been using sports to foster youth development, build confidence, and encourage social integration.

Supported by Fondation Santé Urbaine, the program promotes physical and mental health, but also academic perseverance and the social integration of young people from the CIUSSS-du-Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal community.

The CREMIS’s 20th anniversary: sports as a vehicle of change

On May 31, 2024, at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Centre de recherche de Montréal sur les inégalités sociales, les discriminations et les pratiques alternatives de citoyenneté (CREMIS), the Bien dans mes baskets team took stock of its 25 years of using sports for intervention and explained its impact on the development of program participants.

The event is part of Boxing for School—a program supported by Fondation Santé Urbaine—which uses sports as a form of psychosocial intervention, promoting overall health and academic perseverance with youth from underserved communities.

Marie-Andrée Lefebvre, Fondation Santé Urbaine’s executive director, attended the event and sat on the “Prendre le risque d’innover” panel that was made of directors from various organizations.

She reiterated the foundation’s support of the program, which continues to innovate even 25 years after it was first created.

Every year, the program supports a new group of young participants, develops new tools, and so much more.

Fondation Santé Urbaine is committed to supporting innovative programs such as this one, to, in turn, support the communities on the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal territory.

Gala for excellence: celebrating success

The same week, the Bien dans mes baskets team organized its annual gala, celebrating the end of the school year.

We awarded two prizes at the event.

The first went to a young participant to recognize his commitment and perseverance.

The second went to parents who supported their child on this journey.

This event was a celebration of the positive impact of sports in young people’s lives.